METSTRADE 2023 – Saltwater Stone Makes a Splash at the 35th Edition of METS
METSTRADE is always one of the most important events on our calendar and this year was no exception as the Saltwater Stone Team returned to the RAI in Amsterdam for the 35th edition. For some of our team members, it was their first time attending the show, but for Karen, well, let’s just say she practically has a METS membership card.
Our team had the pleasure of attending fabulously organised events, meeting new faces and networking, and catching up with our exhibiting clients. This vast event saw 1,540 exhibitors, 240 of them new to the show, from 53 countries across 11 halls, with the addition of Croatia joining this year’s lineup for the very first time – welcome Croatia!
The event kicked off with the Breakfast Briefing session addressing the global marine trade. Sanlorenzo CEO Massimo Perotti delivered the keynote address, which focused on his company’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions by utilising green methanol and hydrogen fuel cells. This was followed by the prestigious DAME Awards which honoured nine products across eight categories that recognise exceptional marine products. We were delighted for all the new front runners, especially the overall winner Oceanvolt, taking over the reins from our client Ocean Signal, awarded first place last year for its rescueME PLB3 AIS Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
One highlight that truly made an impression on us was the Women in Marine Industry talk. The early morning start was instantly justified as the panel of inspiring women took the stage, steering the conversation towards empowerment and innovation in the maritime world.
Speaking of innovation, our client YANMAR unveiled their pioneering ‘Customer Journey’ focus at METSTRADE this year. This initiative is designed to navigate the company and its customers toward a more sustainable future, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of this exciting voyage.
Networking at METSTRADE was like a marine industry reunion. With everyone in one place, made for a lively atmosphere and the energy was infectious. Amidst the sea of faces, we had the pleasure of catching up with some familiar names, including our clients YANMAR, VETUS, Smartgyro, ACR, Ocean Signal and Fischer Panda UK. It’s always a pleasure to connect with industry leaders and friendly faces!
What an action-packed and insightful week we had! We look forward to returning to Amsterdam again in 2024 – see you next year!
For more information on how Saltwater Stone supports clients at exhibitions and events, drop the team a message on show@saltwater-stone.com or follow us on LinkedIn.