Talks

The state of the superyacht market

Where is the superyacht market heading – and what will the fleet of tomorrow look like? Drawing on BOAT International’s latest data and market intelligence, this annual forward-looking analysis examines the forces reshaping global build activity, from the builder nations gaining momentum to the changing scale and ambitions of new projects. A timely guide to the trends that will influence superyacht design, construction and ownership in the years ahead.

From TikTok to superyachts: The rise of the ‘microdrama economy

Breakups, star-crossed lovers, bust-ups – if you’ve not heard of vertical dramas, you soon will. What began as a TikTok trend in China is fast becoming one of the most talked-about new formats in social media, with addictive, fast-paced, pay-per-view stories and extreme cliffhangers designed to keep audiences coming back for more. Now luxury innovators including Marc Jacobs, Loewe and Burberry are experimenting with the format, with their versions of attention-stealing storytelling designed to stop you in your tracks and cut through the ‘AI slop’ currently blighting social media.  So what does this mean for the superyacht world? As audiences increasingly discover brands through entertainment rather than advertising, should the industry take a leaf from the micro-drama playbook – and what could that look like?  Join renowned social media and content strategist Joel Marlinarson from Coldest Creative as he takes us inside the rise of vertical dramas, explores the latest trends shaping luxury social media and uncovers what they reveal about the future of brand storytelling.

What does desire mean today? Decoding the new ultra-luxury client

The rules of ultra-luxury are being rewritten in real time. The clients who once collected things are now collecting meaning. The brands that once sold aspiration are now scrambling to sell connection. And the playbook that built some of the most iconic names in the world is no longer enough. Carlota Rodben built the Open Innovation team at CHANEL in Europe and today leads Beyond Luxury, a media platform and strategic advisory which advises luxury Maisons, hospitality groups and investment funds internationally. Rodben also hosts the leading luxury podcast Beyond Luxury, is the author of two bestselling books, and was named a Top Luxury Voice of 2026 by the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce. In this talk, Rodben will ask the burning questions currently facing the luxury industry: What does desire mean today? What does the new generation of ultra-high-net-worth clients actually want? How do you build desirability early, before the client even knows they want you? And how do you create a world so compelling, so culturally alive, that your brand becomes something people belong to rather than simply buy? Expect a thought-provoking discussion that will fundamentally shift how you understand desire, status and belonging in the new era of ultra-luxury.

A soundtrack for your superyacht: The rise of sonic design

Sound is becoming an increasingly powerful part of the luxury experience – shaping how we feel, remember and connect with a place or brand. Emmy Award-winning composer and creative director Nick Wood has spent more than 40 years exploring its role across luxury hospitality, wellbeing and brand experiences, with more than 2,000 projects spanning the globe. From CHANEL, Apple and Ferrari to Claridge’s and Villa La Coste, Wood has created music, soundscapes and sonic identities for some of the world’s most recognisable names. Most recently, he helped create the complete sonic universe for Ferrari Luce, the marque’s first electric vehicle, in collaboration with LoveFrom, founded by Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson. At the Superyacht Design Festival, Nick will explore how sound could become the next frontier in superyacht design – from creating a sense of place and enhancing wellbeing to giving a yacht its own distinctive identity. Drawing on his work with some of the world’s most iconic luxury brands, he will reveal how sound can transform an environment, evoke emotion and leave an unforgettable impression.