Nautica, the local boat shows presented at the 65th International Boat Show

The 65th Genoa International Boat Show continued its program with a press conference presenting the regional events of the Italian circuit, sponsored by Confindustria Nautica (Italian Marine Industry Association) to support the development of the industry. The press conference opened with a greeting from Confindustria Nautica President Piero Formenti, accompanied by Vice President Marco Monsurrò, delegate for Southern Italy Development, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and Internationalization. "On the opening day of the Boat Show, we presented the analysis conducted by our National Nautical Observatory on the profile of the Italian yachtsman. Some of the data struck me: 80% of boat owners are over 50, with a majority (45%) between 60 and 75, while those under 40 represent just 4%. Southern Italy alone accounts for 25% of boat owners and is the leading macro-area in terms of the number of young boat owners," Formenti stated. "It's clear that we need to work together to promote ever-wider access to boating. To this end, the coordinated calendar of sponsored local events must increasingly become a connected system, and we want to work with our partners to achieve this."

Monsurrò continued: "We are proud to have contributed to building a structured and seamless calendar, and to be able to promote it through the megaphone of the International Boat Show. But we want to do more: to make ourselves available for training activities, to promote nautical culture, to organize in-depth events and to disseminate industry data, to support operators. The goal is to provide each organizer with a clearer picture of their catchment area, thus also facilitating territorial marketing efforts." Speakers at the conference included: Angelo Colombo, General Manager of the Sardinia Boat Show (Marina di Porto Rotondo 7-10 May 2026); Giuseppe Meo, President of the 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 (April 24–26, 2026); Andrea Ciulla for Seacily – Salone Nautico di Sicilia (Castellammare del Golfo, October 16–19, 2025); Luciano De Fermo, President of the Mare Lazio Consortium, for Boat Days (Civitavecchia, March 20–22 and March 27–29, 2026). Added to these events is the Salerno Boat Show, scheduled for November 1–9, 2025, in Marina d'Arechi, now in its ninth year.

Angelo Colombo: "The Sardinia Boat Show, scheduled for May 7-10, 2026, in Marina di Porto Rotondo, was created with the support of the Sardinia Region – Department of Industry and stands out for its strong focus on the charter and service market, as well as the significant presence of brokers and specialized operators. The patronage of Confindustria Nautica represents a fundamental added value, as it places the event within a coordinated national calendar, without overlaps. The results of the last edition were encouraging, with approximately 200 boats on display and 165 participating companies, confirming the Sardinia Boat Show's ability to attract operators and qualified visitors, despite the logistical challenges of a prestigious location like Porto Rotondo."

Giuseppe Meo: "First of all, we look forward to seeing you on October 13th in Brindisi. The Puglia Boat Show has seen growth both on land and in the water. We strongly believe in the "culture of the sea," including through partnerships with Italian technical and nautical institutes and industry-specific training. In this regard, we will strive to increasingly engage with younger generations, encouraging them to explore boating and the sea. This is why initiatives like the one promoted by the Genoa Boat Show, which offered a reduced ticket price of €13 for those under 25, are so helpful."

Alessandro Lanzafame: "The Boat Shows continue to be a key reference point for the nautical sector, increasingly attended by professionals and shipyards adopting innovative strategies. The industry demands institutional recognition capable of providing order, visibility, and growth prospects to the supply chain, underscoring the need for unified and strategic representation at the national level to fully realize the potential of the Italian nautical industry. In this process, the patronage of Confindustria Nautica plays a fundamental role, ensuring cohesion, authority, and a common voice in support of the sector's development."

Giovanni Taucci: "The Pescara Marina, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Pescara Chamber of Commerce, is one of the most significant nautical hubs on the Adriatic. With its 240,000 square meters of water in the heart of the city, it hosts the "Sottocosta – Salone Nautico del Medio Adriatico" event, now in its twelfth year. The event, scheduled for April 24-26, 2026, stands out for its inclusive format: admission is free, and each year it welcomes a growing number of exhibitors and visitors. The patronage of Confindustria Nautica further strengthens Sottocosta's importance, placing it on the national circuit of regional shows which, in synergy with the Genoa International Boat Show, constitute a strategic driving force for the dissemination of maritime culture and the development of the entire nautical industry."

Andrea Ciulla: "Seacily 2025, now in its eighth edition, has a proven format spanning land and sea that proves to be a winning combination of exhibition, business, and maritime culture. Each year, the show chooses a different port to showcase the local areas, confirming the centrality of marinas as drivers of development and true gateways to the region. The patronage of Confindustria Nautica strengthens the link between the sector and the local business community, giving prominence, prominence, and growth to the nautical industry."

Luciano De Fermo: "This year, Boat Days is moving from the Santa Marinella Marina to the Old Port of Civitavecchia to meet growth needs and offer more space. Thanks to these significant advantages, the event will be able to welcome an increasingly large and qualified audience. The institutional support that Confindustria Nautica provides to local boat shows demonstrates the Association's commitment to promoting quality events, strengthening the network between businesses and institutions."

The day's program featured a series of events combining sports, culture, and testimonials from the nautical world. The afternoon opened with "A Sea for All – The Story of a Collaboration That Unites," presented by I Timonieri Sbandati, the Sics Association, and Osculati.

This was followed by "Mission Olimpia 2025," the extraordinary undertaking organized by the Club del Gommone, which returns with a project dedicated to the Winter Olympics (Milan-Cortina 2026). This symbolic journey by dinghy ideally connects Italy to the roots of the Olympic spirit. The destination is Olympia, where for centuries the Greek poleis, even in times of war, challenged each other in the name of peace, the gods, and sport. A 3,850-mile voyage along the Mediterranean's most captivating coasts and islands. The event continued with the talk "The Challenge of Time," curated by Eberhard & Co., featuring Mario Peserico, General Manager of Eberhard & Co., in conversation with champion Miki Biasion. Eugenio Franzetti, Director of Lancia Corse, will also be present, with Savina Confaloni moderating.

The day concluded with the "Incontri d'Autore" event in the VIP Lounge: the presentation of "Gossip da diporto," a book of memoirs, anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes stories told by Gaspare Borghini, one of the leading figures in Italian boatbuilding, with narrative support from journalist Raoul De Forcade (Il Sole 24 Ore). The book traces the last 50 years of Italian boatbuilding through several curious and entertaining anecdotes.