Piero Formenti: Genoa International Boat Show grows as strategic date change pays off

The event moves to a new position in the international calendar, exhibition space continues to expand and the new Waterfront is taking shape. Scheduled to take place in Genoa from 1 to 6 October, the 66th Genoa International Boat Show is shaping up to be a landmark edition, while the market continues to move at two different speeds: on one side, the small boating segment, facing a slowdown; on the other, the large yacht sector, which continues to grow.

We discussed these topics with Piero Formenti, President of Confindustria Nautica, who in this interview not only talks about the latest developments at the Boat Show, but also shares his views on the outlook for the industry after his first year in office and on the main challenges facing Italian boating.

PressMare - Mr President, the first noticeable change compared with previous editions concerns the dates. The Show will take place from 1 to 6 October, no longer between Cannes and Monaco but immediately afterwards. Why was this decision made and what effects do you expect?

Piero Formenti - It is probably the most significant innovation of this year’s edition, and it is already proving to be a very successful strategic decision. Our industry is currently experiencing a particular phase: small and medium-sized recreational boating is going through a slowdown mainly linked to consumer uncertainty regarding the geopolitical and economic situation, while the large yacht segment continues to grow.

The new timing makes it easier for larger yachts to attend and further strengthens the international positioning of the Genoa Boat Show. In addition, as the boating season is becoming longer and more people continue boating throughout September, the new dates will encourage participation by both industry professionals and boating enthusiasts, who will be able to visit the Show at a time when boating activities are gradually coming to an end.

PM - How have companies responded to this change?

PF - The response has been extremely positive. The industry strongly believes in this change. Even in a complex market environment, we still have waiting lists for exhibitors wishing to attend, something rather unusual during a market slowdown. It is a clear sign of the confidence the industry continues to place in the Genoa Boat Show. We also expect visitors to respond in the same way, because the passion for boating remains very strong.

PM - Genoa’s Waterfront is also continuing to evolve. How far have the works progressed and what will exhibitors and visitors find at this year’s Show?

PF - The transformation is evident. We have gained additional in-water exhibition space thanks to the completion of the new Harbour Master’s Tower and the use of areas that until recently were unavailable. On land, the Show is also expanding with the redevelopment of the former tensile structure area, which now appears even larger without its roof, and with the new Sports Arena.

 

Naturally, the Waterfront project cannot yet be considered fully completed. Some works, starting with the underground parking facilities beneath Piazzale Kennedy, will be finished during the coming year, while the urban park is still under construction. Compared with just a few years ago, however, the leap in quality is evident and the Boat Show is finally taking on a much more coherent overall layout.

PM - What role will the new Sports Arena play within the event?

PF - It will be a space open free of charge to the city and will serve as a meeting point between the Boat Show and those who may not usually be involved in the boating world.

We have designed a programme dedicated to the themes that I identified as priorities during my term of office: social boating, education and training, new maritime professions, sustainability, innovation and institutions. There will be areas dedicated to small boats, the new boating licence for sixteen-year-olds, simulators, drones and new technologies, including those linked to the foiling world.

Our goal is to spread the culture of the sea to an ever wider audience.

PM - Last year you introduced the Tech Trade Days. How will the initiative evolve this year and what results do you expect?

PF - Last year it was an experimental project. Today it has become a much more structured initiative covering the first two days of the Boat Show. The idea is straightforward: to create the best possible conditions for leading equipment manufacturers and component suppliers to meet shipyards. Both are already present at the Show, so the rationale behind the initiative is quite simple. In addition, purchasing departments from the main boatbuilders will have dedicated days and special conditions to visit the Show and develop new business relationships.

PM - Let’s talk about tickets. What pricing policy have you adopted this year?

PF - We have confirmed last year’s ticket prices and introduced a new €13 ticket for visitors under the age of 25. At a time when organisational costs are increasing, it would have been easy to pass those increases on to visitors. Instead, we chose to continue investing in accessibility because our objective remains to offer companies the broadest possible showcase while, at the same time, attracting new visitors to the boating world, especially younger people, who will become tomorrow’s boaters and yacht owners.

PM - In recent years, the Design Innovation Award has become increasingly important. How has this recognition evolved?

PF - I must admit that I have changed my mind about awards in general. As an entrepreneur, I was always rather sceptical about many industry awards because they were not always perceived as being truly independent. As President, however, I have had the opportunity to follow the organisation of the Design Innovation Award closely, and I have completely revised my opinion. The jury is made up of professionals from different backgrounds, the entries are assessed directly on the boats displayed at the Show, and all exhibiting companies may participate, regardless of whether they are members of Confindustria Nautica.

PM - The Genoa International Boat Show is also a major opportunity for dialogue between institutions, companies and professionals, thanks to the many conferences organised during the event. Which will be the most significant appointments of this edition?

PF - Conferences have become an increasingly important component of the event. We do not organise meetings simply to fill a programme, but to address issues that are directly relevant to the development of the industry. As every year, we will present La Nautica in Cifre (Boating in Figures), which is an essential tool for understanding the state of the industry and for engaging with institutions, the banking system and investors. It is a project that requires ever greater collaboration from companies, because only through comprehensive data can we provide an analysis that truly represents the sector.

Alongside this, there will be conferences dedicated to sustainability, education and training, technological innovation, maritime professions and the main regulatory issues affecting the industry.

PM - Organising an event of this size also means dealing with issues such as accessibility and transport. How are you addressing these aspects?

PF - We are working on this together with the local authorities. During the Boat Show, the main motorway construction sites on the roads leading into Genoa will be suspended, an important decision that will make access easier for exhibitors and visitors.

Air connections are also improving thanks to the launch of new routes by Aeroitalia, making Genoa easier to reach, particularly from Southern Italy.

Naturally, the parking issue will only be fully resolved once the new Waterfront parking facilities become operational, but year after year the overall situation is improving.

PM - During your first year as President, you have also worked extensively on strengthening relations with institutions. Looking back, what assessment would you make?

PF - It has been an intense year. I inherited a very solid organisation and have sought to build on the work carried out by my predecessors while further strengthening our dialogue with the Government and Parliament.

I believe that today the boating industry is perceived very differently from the past. Increasingly, we are invited to take part in discussions concerning the sea, ports, tourism and industry. This is an important achievement because it means our sector is now recognised as a strategic contributor to the country’s economy.

PM - Speaking of relations with the Government, in recent months Confindustria Nautica has helped bring the so-called Sea Enhancement Decree to completion. Which achievements do you consider the most significant?

PF - The measure includes a number of provisions that the industry had been waiting for for a long time. Naturally, the work is not yet finished and there are still issues on which we will continue to engage with lawmakers, but it is certainly a positive step.

As an association, our role is to bring the needs of companies to the attention of institutions and to help develop regulations that support the growth of the boating industry without compromising safety or environmental protection.

PM - In recent months you have also spoken frequently about strengthening Confindustria Nautica’s presence in Southern Italy. What is the objective?

PF - Southern Italy represents a fundamental part of the Italian boating industry, both in terms of manufacturing and of nautical tourism and marina infrastructure.

For this reason, we are working to ensure that the association is increasingly present in those regions, listening directly to businesses and involving them more closely in our activities. I believe that a truly national association must be capable of representing the needs of every territory.

PM - Returning to the Boat Show, the 2027 America’s Cup will inevitably be one of the major themes of this year’s edition. How will it feature within the event?

PF - The America’s Cup represents an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the entire Italian boating industry. We are working to include dedicated events, the participation of the teams and opportunities for discussion that will allow both visitors and industry professionals to discover an event that is set to have a significant impact on the entire sector.

The details will be announced in the coming weeks, but it is clear that an event of this magnitude will occupy an important place within the Boat Show. From the very beginning, Confindustria Nautica has also worked to encourage the involvement of Italian industry, contributing to the creation of the supplier companies’ portal for the event, with the aim of putting Italy’s manufacturing sector in the best possible position to seize the opportunities generated by the America’s Cup.

PM - Charter continues to grow and has become an increasingly important part of the boating market. We can therefore expect a strong presence at the Boat Show from companies operating in this sector. As Confindustria Nautica, what are the main priorities you are currently working on?

PF - The charter sector is experiencing a period of strong growth, as confirmed by the current season. For many people, chartering a boat is their first real contact with boating: they first enjoy the experience of using a yacht on charter and only later consider purchasing one. It is a natural evolution of the market and we believe it should be supported by an appropriate regulatory framework.

As Confindustria Nautica, we are working to ensure that Italian legislation becomes increasingly aligned with that of other European countries, removing obstacles that can place Italian operators at a disadvantage and making the sector more competitive.

This work does not stop at the national level. Many of the regulations affecting recreational boating are now developed in Brussels, which is precisely why the work carried out through European Boating Industry has become increasingly important. Having a seat at the European table through an association that effectively represents the sector means being able to contribute to the drafting of legislation from its earliest stages, bringing the perspective of businesses to the discussion and helping to shape rules that are both effective and practical.

PM - Looking ahead to the 66th Genoa International Boat Show, what message would you like to leave to the companies preparing to exhibit?

PF - I would encourage everyone to approach this edition with confidence. The market is currently going through a period of adjustment, but the Italian boating industry continues to demonstrate its ability to innovate, invest and compete successfully on international markets.

 

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