My First Yacht Conference and My Social Battery Died)
After ten years onboard, mostly as a cruise director, I knew yachts. I knew the crew dynamics, the clients, the chaos, and the calm. But nothing quite prepared me for what it would feel like attending my first yacht conference as a sales broker and marketer with no radio in hand, no anchor alarm, and no guest allergies to worry about.
Instead, I had business cards, calendar reminders, and a whole lot of "Let's connect after the show."
In April 2025, I attended a five-day yacht industry event in Singapore. The first two days were a full-scale conference, followed by a gala dinner (where our company won Best Charter Company in Southeast Asia, more on that later), and finally three days of yacht show madness. For the first time in my career, I wasn’t part of the crew running the show, I was on the other side, navigating conversations about brokerage listings, lead pipelines, and digital marketing strategies.
And let me tell you: my social battery was flatlining by Day 3.
The Conference: Buzzwords, Panels & Power Players
The two-day conference was packed with speakers, panels, and an overwhelming amount of very caffeinated handshaking. The topics? Everything from yacht design trends to digital tools for brokers, ESG in shipbuilding, regional sales forecasts, and the always-popular “What Gen Z Wants in a Superyacht.”
As a Former Crew, the Perspective Shift Was Wild
I used to think I knew the yacht industry. But that was from the operations and hospitality side. Sales? A completely different current.
Instead of provisioning and planning itineraries, I found myself listening to talks about new build pipelines, emerging Southeast Asian buyers, post-COVID inventory shortages, VAT loopholes, and even the psychology of UHNWIs making yacht purchases.
I had a million thoughts. Also, a million tabs open in my brain.
But one thing became clear, my time at sea gave me insight most people in that room didn’t have. I know what makes a yacht actually livable, what real layout flaws drive captains insane, and which design features work in theory but never in practice.
Gala Night: Trophies, Toasts, and Tiny Bites
The second night was the gala dinner. It had all the trimmings: formalwear, dim lighting, wine that kept refilling itself, and a rotation of “So, which company are you with?” conversations that got smoother with each course.
When our company was announced as Best Charter Company in Southeast Asia, it was a proud moment, even though I’m not in the charter department. It was a team win, and a reminder that behind every successful charter is a well-run yacht… and behind that yacht is someone like me working to get it into the right hands in the first place.
Also, I’ll admit it: a little part of me just wanted to text every old boss I ever had and say, “Hey, look where I ended up.”
Yacht Show Days: Strategic Mingling (and Mental Stamina)
The next three days were all about the Singapore Yacht Show.
No, I wasn’t manning the booth. We hired people for that (wise move). My job? Float. Circulate. Talk to people. Invite them to our booth. Suss out who’s shopping for a yacht and who’s just here for champagne and superyacht selfies.
It’s one thing to market the idea of a yachting lifestyle. It’s another thing to sell the vessel itself; the hull, the specs, the build quality, the refit history, the flag, the paperwork, and the 7,000 questions that come with each buyer lead.
And it turns out, talking about these things in loud, crowded halls filled with strangers takes way more energy than showing a guest where the snorkeling gear is.
Some people wanted to talk about financing. Others wanted to compare Dutch builds versus Italian. A few were window-shopping. One guy just wanted to tell me he once sailed in the Caribbean for a week and “totally gets the lifestyle.”
I smiled through it all, handed out cards, and mentally recharged every time I stepped outside for five minutes of fresh air and quiet.
The Hardest Part? Staying On for Five Days Straight
Charter turnover days? Easy. Night watches in rough weather? Doable. But five full days of nonstop socializing, strategic small talk, and switching between your sales voice and your normal voice? That’s its own sport.
By Day 4, I was dreaming of quiet cabins and engine room hums. I was emotionally toast but still had two networking events, a breakfast meeting, and an afternoon walkthrough to attend. I missed the clarity of boat life where the problems were mechanical, not mental.
But I pushed through. Like we always do.
Crew Experience in Sales? Massive Advantage
One thing that kept me grounded during the whole experience was this: I wasn’t faking it.
I’ve seen the belly of the beast. I know what it's like when the tender won’t start, when the galley fridge dies during a 12-person charter. So when a buyer asks what makes a yacht “good for long-range cruising” or “charter compliant,” I can answer with actual, lived experience, not just brochure lingo.
When I say “crew-friendly layout,” I mean it. When I say “low engine hours,” I know what that should actually look like. When someone asks about storage for dive gear, I know the difference between practical and panic-inducing.
That level of insight has made a noticeable difference in how I approach sales and how clients respond to me.
Key Takeaways from My First Yacht Sales Conference
1. It’s a Relationship Industry—Always Has Been
It doesn’t matter if you're serving canapés on the aft deck or negotiating a €6M listing. People want to work with people they like and trust. Your handshake and follow-up game matter.
2. Social Energy Is a Limited Resource
You don’t have to be “on” all five days. Step outside. Breathe. Skip the afterparty if you need to.
3. Don’t Pretend You’re Just a “Marketer” If You Know the Boat Inside Out
Use your experience. Clients appreciate authenticity. You’re not here to fluff, you’re here to guide.
4. Comfortable Shoes Are Just as Important as a Sharp Blazer
Seriously. Don’t let the cute heels fool you. Yacht shows are 80% walking, 10% standing, and 10% pretending you’re not in pain.
Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely. With more hydration, maybe some earplugs, and less coffee.
This first foray into the yacht sales world from the land-based side was exhausting, inspiring, and wildly informative. It reminded me that there’s a whole world behind the scenes of every sleek yacht and shiny listing photo and I’m proud to now be part of that.
So here’s to more deals, fewer awkward badge tan lines, and maybe next time… a closing contract instead of just conversations.
Thanks for reading and now back to happily roaaming!