On the occasion of the Fédération des Industries Nautiques - FIN back-to-school conference, the president of the French yachting trade association answers our questions on the latest trade show and industry news.
What's the status of the FIN project to revive Le Nautic de Paris?
As a reminder, in January 2023, after Nautic 2022, we called a meeting of the trade to identify the challenges, strengths and weaknesses of the show. The conclusion was that it was important and necessary to have a boat show in Paris, but that we had to turn the tables, as it no longer corresponded at all to expectations. The project that is taking shape today is in Greater Paris, in Boulogne, with an outdoor-indoor show on the Seine, and consequently earlier, between October 15 and 20, so as not to take any risks with the weather. Like most outdoor shows, it will last 5-6 days, a popular format.
We spent a lot of time working with local authorities and river managers, Haropa and VNF, to make sure they were on board with the project. We now have the feasibility. We still have the month of September to finalize the project and share with the main exhibitors the different variants of the project, to make sure that it meets expectations and the economic stakes by refining the costs. The aim is to present the final project to the entire extended nautical family at the Musée de la Marine on November 24. It will also be an opportunity to get together, in the absence of a Nautic in 2023.
What elements would enable small exhibitors who were no longer being seen to return?
We have strong local support, which we didn't have in Paris with the Porte de Versailles, and elected officials who are aware of the value of such a show. A 6-day outdoor show is always more competitive than a long indoor show. There are some pretty clear leads that give arguments for major brands, which no longer come, to come back.
How did you decide to take over the International Multihull Boat Show and M2O?
FIN was already a sponsor of the multihull boat show, and close to the 2 founders. When they hinted that they wanted to hand over, we talked to the catamaran builders, where France is world leader. Their conclusion was that the show should keep its DNA, and that it was FIN's role to maintain this current approach, while preventing it from being bought out and changing drastically. Given the strong interest shown by our members, we found a solution for FIN to take over the show.
What changes would you like to see?
We'll be working with the founders and the team, which has been taken over by the company, on the 2024 edition. We need to be in line with previous editions. For the future, we obviously have ideas, and we have the experience of the Nautic to know that a trade show must know how to evolve before it's too late.
Looking beyond the trade shows, what is your analysis of the industry's activity and outlook?
With the exception of large yachts, which continue to decline, and which is an important subject to work on, complex but economically important in the French Mediterranean, boating activity remained strong in the summer of 2023. The weather and inflation may have dampened the spirits of some sailors, but the figures remain good. Cruising charters remained at the same level, with a slight dip in day charters in the Mediterranean. Water sports were very strong. In boat sales and equipment, registrations to July 2023 are higher than in 2022, but correspond to orders delivered. Some sectors are reporting lower orders in spring and summer, with pre-covid levels returning to normal. There are questions about small boats. We also know that in 3 years, prices have risen by 25%. It would be unwise to give trends before the Autumn boat shows.
