A busy year is nearing its end. Luckily, most of our member shows did take place in 2022 and, even better, proved to be very successful. For the first time since 2019, we were also able to meet up with colleagues and friends at our annual ICOMIA/IFBSO congress in beautiful Gothenburg which provided the opportunity for a long overdue exchange of information, experiences and ideas.
During congress we held a workshop exploring what boat shows might look like in the future, eg in 2035 and beyond. Our "Vision 2035" for boat shows of the future and the associated developments, cultural, environmental and societal changes have and will inform all activities of IFBSO this year and going forward (webinars, workshops, congress seminars etc) in order to help our members to adjust their shows to future needs and maintain or further improve the quality of their shows. In other words, Vision 2035 is our Mission!
In addition to the monthly online meetings, IFBSO was able to hold its final Executive Committee Meeting of the year during the hugely successful METSTRADE show in Amsterdam. ExCom members were nearly complete in attendance and addressed issues including the ICOMIA/IFBSO Congress in June 2023, the anticipated webinars for members, and a number of administrative issues.
IFBSO also organised a cocktail reception, kindly hosted and sponsored by METSTRADE, to meet with existing and potentially new members and industry colleagues and was delighted to welcome ICOMIA colleagues and a delegation from GMBA, Global Marine Business Advisors, amongst the guests.
Everyone was in agreement that nothing beats the personal, face-to-face, interaction and knowledge exchange with industry peers and friends. And as a bonus, it looks as if the get-together is likely to lead to the recruitment of a new IFBSO member.
The next IFBSO Executive Committee meeting will take place during boot Düsseldorf in January 2023 - www.boot.com. If you are interested in meeting some of the IFBSO team or members during boot Düsseldorf, please contact us on [email protected].
Thank you for your support and loyalty in 2022. With very best wishes for the holiday season and every luck and success for the New Year. We look forward to building on this year's success in 2023.
Please note that the IFBSO offices will be closed from Friday, 23 December 2022 until Monday, 9th January 2023.
Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel and Renate Maddocks-Born
IFBSO Secretariat
