The 65th Genoa International Boat Show continued its programme with the press conference presenting the events of the Italian circuit sponsored by the Italian Marine Industry Association to support the development of the sector.
The press conference was opened by the President of the Italian Marine Industry Association, Piero Formenti, accompanied by Vice President Marco Monsurrò, responsible for the development of Southern Italy, Special Economic Zones and internationalisation.
“On the opening day of the Genoa International Boat Show we presented the analysis carried out by our National Nautical Observatory on the profile of the Italian boatowner. Some data struck me: 80% of boat owners are over 50, with the majority (45%) between 60 and 75 years old, while those under 40 represent just 4%. The Mezzogiorno alone concentrates 25% of shipowners and is the first macro-area in terms of the number of young boatowners,’ stated Formenti. “It is clear that we must work as a system and work to foster an ever wider access to boating. In this direction, the coordinated calendar of sponsored national events must increasingly become a connected system, and we want to work with our partners in this direction”.
Monsurrò continued: “We are proud to have contributed to building an accurately distributed calendar without overlaps, and to be able to promote these events thanks to the Genoa International Boat Show’s global platform. But we want to do more: make ourselves available for training activities, the promotion of boating culture, the organisation of in-depth events, and the dissemination of sector data to support operators. The aim is to provide each organiser with a clearer picture of its catchment area, so as to facilitate territorial marketing actions as well”.
The conference saw the participation of: Angelo Colombo, General Manager of Sardinia Boat Show (Marina di Porto Rotondo 7 – 10 May 2026); Giuseppe Meo, President of SNIM – Puglia Boat Show (Brindisi 9 -13 October 2025 ); Alessandro Lanzafame, President of Nauta – Mediterranean Boat Show (Catania 27/28 February – 1 March, 5/8 March 2026); Giovanni Taucci, President of Marina di Pescara for Sottocosta (24 – 26 April 2026); Andrea Ciulla for Seacily – Sicily Boat Show (Castellammare del Golfo, 16 – 19 October 2025); Luciano De Fermo, President of Consorzio Mare Lazio, for Boat Days (Civitavecchia 20/22 March and 27/29 March 2026). The Salerno Boat Show scheduled to take place at Marina d’Arechi from 1 to 9 November 2025 is also included in addition to the above, now in its ninth edition.
Angelo Colombo: “The Sardinia Boat Show, scheduled from 7 to 10 May 2026 at Marina di Porto Rotondo, was conceived with the support of the Sardinia Regional Council Member for Industry and stands out for its strong vocation to the charter and services market, as well as for the significant presence of brokers and specialised operators. The patronage of the Italian Marine Industry Association represents a fundamental added value, as it places the event in a coordinated national calendar without overlapping. The results of the last edition were encouraging, with around 200 boats on display and 165 participating companies, confirming the ability of the Sardinia Boat Show to attract operators and a qualified public, despite the logistical complexities of a prestigious location like Porto Rotondo”.
Giuseppe Meo: “First of all, we look forward to seeing you on 13 October in the city of Brindisi. The Puglia Boat Show has been growing both on land and in the water. We strongly believe in the ‘culture of the sea’ also through collaborations with Italian technical and nautical institutes and specific training for the industry. In this sense, we will try to appeal more and more to the new generations to bring them closer to boating and the sea. For this reason, initiatives such as the one promoted by the Genoa Boat Show, which has provided for a reduced ticket price of €13 for the under-25s, are very useful.”.
Alessandro Lanzafame: “Boat shows are a reference point for the boating sector, increasingly attended by professionals and shipyards adopting innovative strategies. The sector is asking for an institutional recognition capable of giving order, resonance, and growth prospects to the supply chain, underlining the need for a unified and strategic representation at national level to fully express the potential of the Italian boating industry. In this process, the sponsorship of the Italian Marine Industry Association assumes a fundamental role, guaranteeing cohesion, authority, and a common voice to support the sector’s development.”
Giovanni Taucci: “The Marina di Pescara, a company wholly owned by the Pescara Chamber of Commerce, represents one of the most significant nautical hubs in the Adriatic. With its 240,000 square metres of water surface in the heart of the city, it hosts the event ‘Sottocosta – Salone Nautico del Medio Adriatico’ (Middle Adriatic Boat Show), now in its twelfth edition. The event, scheduled from 24 to 26 April 2026, stands out for its inclusive formula: admission is free and every year it welcomes a growing number of exhibitors and visitors. The patronage of the Italian Marine Industry Association further strengthens the relevance of Sottocosta, by including it in the national circuit of territorial boat shows that, in synergy with the Genoa International Boat Show, are a strategic driving force for the dissemination of sea culture and the development of the entire boating industry”.
Andrea Ciulla: “Seacily 2025, now in its eighth edition, has a tried-and-tested format between land and sea that proves to be a winning combination of exhibition, business, and sea culture. Every year the show chooses a different port to enhance the territories, confirming the centrality of marinas as engines of development and real gateways to the territory. The sponsorship from the Italian Marine Industry Association strengthens the link between the sector and the local entrepreneurial fabric, giving importance, resonance, and growth to the boating industry”.
Luciano De Fermo: “This year Boat Days is moving from the Marina of Santa Marinella to the Porto Vecchio of Civitavecchia in order to respond to the needs of growth and offer larger spaces. Thanks to these significant advantages, the event will be able to welcome an increasingly numerous and qualified public. The institutional support that the Italian Marine Industry Association offers to territorial boat shows testifies to the Association’s commitment to spreading quality events, strengthening the network between companies and institutions.”
The day’s programme featured a series of events that intertwined sport, culture and testimonies from the world of boating.
The afternoon opened with “A SEA FOR ALL – TELLING THE STORY OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT BRINGS US CLOSER”, by I Timonieri Sbandati, the SICS Association and Osculati.
This was followed by “MISSION OLIMPIA 2025”, the extraordinary enterprise organised by the Club del Gommone, which is back in the spotlight with a project dedicated to the Winter Olympics (Milan-Cortina 2026), a symbolic journey in an inflatable boat that ideally links Italy to the roots of the Olympic spirit. The goal is in fact Olympia, where for centuries the Greek pòleis, even in times of war, challenged each other in the name of peace, the gods and sport. A 3,850-mile journey along the Mediterranean’s most fascinating coastlines and islands.
This was followed by the talk “AGAINST THE CLOCK” by Eberhard & Co. with Mario Peserico, General Manager of Eberhard & Co., in dialogue with champion Miki Biasion. Eugenio Franzetti, Director of Lancia Corse, also spoke, with Savina Confaloni moderating.
The day ended with a book presentation at the VIP Lounge of ‘Gossip da diporto’ (boating gossip), a book of memories, anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes stories told by Gaspare Borghini, a true star of the Italian boating scene, with the narrative support of journalist Raoul De Forcade (Il Sole 24 Ore). The book retraces the last 50 years of Italian recreational boatbuilding through several curious and amusing anecdotes.
ALL OF TOMORROW’S EVENTS – MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER
FORUM25
10:15 am: “ENGINEERING, YACHT DESIGN AND THE CAREER WORLD. Open Day for nautical disciplines at the University of Genoa”.
Organised by the University of Genoa
Levante Hall – PALASPORT PAVILION
11:00 am: “BOATING INDUSTRY: SYNERGIES BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS AND BUSINESSES”
Employment, training, apprenticeships, guidance
Organised by the Italian Marine Industry Association.
Forum Hall
11:30 am: “BOATING: CHARTING A COURSE THROUGH A SEA OF OPPORTUNITIES”
The Genoa International Boat Show event dedicated to secondary schools
Organised by the Italian Marine Industry Association.
Blue Pavilion Terrace
2:30 pm: “AI: FROM DESIGNING TO MANAGING A BOAT”
Organised by ATENA Lombardia and Politecnico di Milano
Ponente Hall – PALASPORT PAVILION
2:30 pm: “NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NAUTICAL TOURISM”
Organised by the Italian Tourism Federation, with the collaboration of the Italian Marine Industry Association.
Blue Pavilion Terrace
2:30 pm: “TECHNICAL GROUP: THE MARITIME ECONOMY”
Organised by the Confederation of Italian Industry
Forum Hall
2:30 pm: “TAX SYSTEMS AND COMPETITIVENESS IN THE BOATING SECTOR”
Organised by the Liguria Section of the Italian Association of Tax Judges
Sala Mezzogiorno – PALASPORT PAVILION
4:30 pm: “NAVIGATING CHANGE: FROM WIND TO CLOUD”
Organised by Fondazione Ansaldo and Fondazione Leonardo, in partnership with the Italian Marine Industry Association
Blue Pavilion Terrace
9:00 pm: “PORT GRAMMY”
Organised by Group ltalian Television, Eva Group and the Liguria Regional Council. Media Partner: Rai Italia.
Blue Pavilion Terrace
EBERHARD & CO. THEATRE
10:30 am: “WOMEN AT THE HELM OF THE BLUE ECONOMY”
Organised by the Liguria Regional Council
1:00 pm: “ICOMIA WORLD MARINAS CONFERENCE 2025 PRESENTATION”
Organised by VdV S.r.l. – Vento di Venezia
2:00 pm: “PRESENTATION OF THE 151 MIGLIA –CETILAR TROPHY”
Organised by the Italian Sailing Federation
3:00 pm: BLUE DISTRICT EVENT
Organised by the Liguria Regional Council
6:00 pm: Book presentation: “Kate e la maledizione dei Galles” (“Kate and the Wales Curse”), The new people’s princess defies centuries of misfortune, by Antonio Caprarica – VIP Lounge, Blue Pavilion
Genoa, 21st September 2025
