Two International Superyacht Society board directors - ISS Past President, Doug Sharp and AJ Anderson – together with Sir Tim McClement of VT Group (UK) will be joined by two acknowledged local personalities in presenting issues of critical importance to the large yacht industry.
The occasion will be a Seminar entitled “The Yachting Industry: A Challenge – An Opportunity”, being organised by Wilfred Sultana & Associates publishers of Yachting in Malta, the Directory to the services and facilities of Malta’s yachting industry.
Douglas Sharp, Managing Director, of Douglas Sharp Yacht Design, Inc. – USA, a Director and former President of the International Superyacht Society, based in Florida USA, will speak on the various demands, current strength, current difficulties and future outlook of the superyacht industry, having as title ‘The Financial contribution of the Superyacht Industry to the country’s economy’.
The other Director of the International Superyacht Society, Capt. AJ Anderson, Managing Director, Wright Maritime Group llc – USA, will outline what makes a destination appealing for large yachts as well as expand on the financial impact of port visitations under the topic ‘What a Superyacht Management Agency looks for?’
Sir Tim McClement KCB OBE, Maritime Training, VT Flagship, UK, will look at the jobs availability in the superyachts industry, particularly the ones at sea in ‘The jobs opportunity in the superyacht industry’; touching also on the consequences the current global economic situation is having on employment in the lavish sector of the yachting industry.
The two local speakers at the Seminar are Ing. Joe Degabriele, General Manager, Malta Super Yacht Services and Board Director of the Malta Maritime Authority and Dr. Ann Fenech LL.M. (Lond.), LL.D., Managing Partner, Fenech & Fenech Advocates and Board Member, of the Yachting Services Trade Section (Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry).
Under the theme ‘MALTA: The Past, The Present and Future Potential’, Ing. Joe Degabriele will elaborate on Malta’s past achievements, current developments and give an insight into the Island’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities to strengthen its positioning within the international super yacht industry while Dr. Ann Fenech will present “The Legal Aspect of the superyacht industry” outlining the various opportunities offered by Malta’s legal set-up to superyacht owners which goes beyond peace of mind, stability and reliability.
Wilfred Sultana, Editor-Publisher of Yachting in Malta, will make the opening comments as host of the Seminar, with Dr. Austin Gatt LL.D., M.P., Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, as the minister responsible of the industry, giving a Winding-up Message.
John A. Huber, Chairman of Yachting Services Trade Section (Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry) will be Chairing the Seminar.
The Seminar, sponsored by the Malta Maritime Authority, Excelsior Grand Hotel, S&D Yachts Ltd, Medcomms Ltd, Melita Marine Group, Kirton & Co and Universal Imports & Export Ltd, is being held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on Thursday 30 April.
