All Aboard Europe’s Premier Yacht Festival

A conversation with Sylvie Ernoult, Show Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival

The Cannes Yachting Festival has been Europe’s first event of the nautical season for over 45 years, and has become the largest in-water boat show on the continent. Not bad for a show that started with just a few boats in Quai Max Laubeuf in 1977.

A key event on the international yachting calendar for the past 15 to 20 years, last year it attracted more than 55,000 visitors from all over the world, and about 600 exhibitors. The festival continues to expand significantly in the Vieux Port and Port Canto – from one end of the famous Croisette to the other, it offers the best in both the French and international motor, sail, monohull and multihull boating scene. The Luxury Report caught up with Sylvie Ernoult, Show Director of Cannes Yachting Festival to find out more about the forthcoming event.

So, what’s new at this year’s festival?

Sylvie Ernoult: We’re used to the show evolving, and 2024 will be no exception. The main change this year is the creation of the Powerboat Marina. The yachting industry is booming, and since 2021 leisure boat owners and new buyers have shown that they are particularly interested in the type of small motor boat usually known as a ‘dayboat’, which, as its name suggests, means you can spend the day out at sea in the right conditions.

This year we are pleased to provide this new marina for our exhibitors and visitors, which will accommodate around 170 small powerboats in Port Canto in between the sailing area and the brokerage and toys area. Thirty 6- to 8-metre boats will be exhibited over some 2,000 square metres ashore, and 140 8- to 12/13-metre boats will be presented in-water, most at berth. From models that exude Scandinavian style to those ideal for diving, via technology- packed gems, visitors, professionals, and the public alike can enjoy seeing the best boats in terms of design, innovation and performance in this market segment.

We understand that you are introducing an Innovation Route, what’s the thinking behind this?

SE: Yes, we have decided to expand our Green Route into a larger Innovation Route, bringing together the most notable technological and eco-friendly nautical innovations. This route will focus on decarbonisation, green processes in the boating industry, and bring together the various innovation in motorisation, propulsion, waste management, eco-design, optimisation, innovative materials, etc.

We are doing this because, like most industries, the nautical industry is not exempt from environmental issues, and understands the need to change to meet the sector’s decarbonisation needs and the new demands of boaters. It seemed essential for us to contribute by highlighting the efforts our exhibitors are making and the energy they are putting into building the future of the nautical sector. There is new work on composites, recyclable resins, more environmentally-friendly engines, as well as design for aerodynamics and connectivity for better efficiency. New initiatives are always forthcoming, and there are lots of them! We are happy to highlight all of this because our shared goal is the preservation of our marine environments, especially for future generations.

This new route supports exhibitors in highlighting their latest products, and is also an important feature for visitors who want to focus on innovation and green products.

Changes are also planned in the Vieux Port, at the main entrance, the Tender Area, as well as the stands for engine manufacturers specialising in large yachts being relocated. There is also a new entrance being created at the heart of the show.

What else is the Cannes Yachting Festival doing to encourage a green transition in the maritime sector?

SE: As touched on above, like most industries, the marine industry faces environmental challenges. Over the last few years, boat builders have been making efforts to develop a new range of more eco-responsible boats that are in keeping with the times. They have been working on the choice of different construction materials, developing a new hydrodynamic design shape, and a different type of propulsion (electric hybrid and so on), among other projects. We’re delighted to support our exhibitors in their eco-initiatives by helping them showcase their innovations, thanks in particular to our ‘ Innovation Route.

Tell us a little about what the show means to you personally.

SE: Organising this show has been my passion for over 10 years. It’s first and foremost all about the people, in a sector where everything is based on a love of the maritime industry. Indeed, I’ve devoted a large part of my career to this fascinating field.

Sharing this passion with a dedicated team is a powerful and rewarding experience. As a manager, my role is to get everyone dancing to the same beat! It’s a real team effort, a complex machine that requires experts from different backgrounds all working in harmony. Everyone makes their own contribution and complements each other. It’s a pleasure to be at the head of such a close-knit team.

Developing an event of this scale requires a wide range of skills. We have to master the technical, maritime, underwater, logistical, communications, commercial and even political aspects. It is also crucial to work with the city and on public relations. It is a truly multi-dimensional challenge. And this job would truly not be possible without my strong, reliable team!

Further information – Cannes Yachting Festival