Two International Superyacht Society (ISS) board directors - past president Doug Sharp and A.J. 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 and Associates, publishers of Yachting in Malta, the directory to the services and facilities of Malta's yachting industry. It will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, on April 30.
Mr 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 strengths and difficulties, and future outlook of the superyacht industry. His paper is entitled 'The financial contribution of the superyacht industry to the country's economy'.
ISS director Captain 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 McClement, KCB OBE, Maritime Training, VT Flagship, UK, will look at the jobs availability in the superyacht industry, particularly the ones at sea in 'The jobs opportunity in the superyacht industry', touching also on the consequences that the current global economic situation is having on employment in the lavish sector of the yachting industry.
The two local speakers are Joe Degabriele, general manager Malta Super Yacht Services and board director of the Malta Maritime Authority, and Ann Fenech, managing partner Fenech and 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', Mr 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 position within the international super yacht industry.
Dr 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.