The largest in the event’s 25 year history, Amsterdam’s Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS), along with Global Superyacht Forum 2012 were very successful for Yachting Pages as well as other marine businesses. Taken place from November 13th to 15th, the 25th edition of METS offered a unique opportunity to network with plenty of new and existing clients.
Yachting Pages is a market-leading directory for the superyacht industry. Many of METS’ 1,318 exhibitors already feature in its print directories, which are hand-delivered to superyacht decision-makers, captains and crew in over 90 countries worldwide.
Jessica Pegg, Yachting Pages’ sales team leader, said, “We sent a robust sales team who spent a very busy three days meeting with long-term clients as well as many new ones. Attendance levels offered a real vote of confidence for the industry.”
METS visitor figures were higher than last year at 19,617, with exhibitor numbers down only marginally compared to 2011’s record-breaking 1,331. International visitors were up 2%.
With added attractions like the buzzing Superyacht Pavilion and well-attended Global Superyacht Forum 2012, this 25th anniversary exhibition was the organisers’ largest to date.
Jessica added, “METS was an unadulterated success. We went to do business and several deals were struck. The networking and social events buoyed the atmosphere yet further. The majority of exhibitors seemed thrilled with sales, champing at the bit to book space for 2013.”
Organisers confirmed that an unprecedented 43% of exhibitors had indeed pre-booked stand space for next year’s event before the show’s end.
Craig Dallison, yacht marketing manager at Awlgrip attended the event and said, “As always it matched up to our expectations and has once again been a good exhibition for us to meet with customers old and new. Overall, it felt very positive for Awlgrip.” Yachting Pages’ customer Awlgrip is a leading global supplier of topside finishing systems.
Irene Dros, METS domaine manager, said, “High attendance levels reinforced the fact that the concept of METS, stands firm. There could have been no greater vote of confidence for our 25th anniversary event.”
METS is organized by Amsterdam RAI in association with the International Council of Marine Industry Associations. Its independently audited visitor numbers are calculated in accordance with the rules of the UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry.
