Feadship ambassador Henk de Vries has been confirmed as a speaker at the Superyacht Design Festival, taking place in Kitzbühel, Austria, on 1–3 February 2026. De Vries will appear alongside BOAT’s managing director, Stewart Campbell, for an in-depth conversation reflecting on his influential career at the forefront of luxury yacht construction.
In May of this year, de Vries stepped down as director of Feadship and CEO of Koninklijke de Vries Scheepsbouw. For nearly four decades, he has guided Feadship’s evolution, shaping not only some of the world’s most admired superyachts but the very culture of modern yacht building.
The session promises a rare, candid discussion as de Vries shares insights gathered over a lifetime in the shipyard, from the evolving expectations of yacht owners to the challenges and triumphs behind building some of the world’s most admired vessels. He will also explore how the future of superyachting may diverge sharply from its past, offering attendees a unique perspective from one of the industry’s most influential figures.
The Superyacht Design Festival 2026 will see some of the biggest names in design come together with experts from the wider luxury community for exciting discussions, plus a social programme, the BOAT Design & Innovation Awards, the Young Designer of the Year Award, the BOAT Artistry & Craft Awards and the famous Ski Cup, sponsored by Lürssen.
Attendees can expect an exciting lineup covering all areas within the sector. This year’s programme features a presentation by a world-leading expert in the emerging field of neuroarchitecture, a panel discussion exploring how AI will shape yacht design, sessions on next-generation yacht power and emerging superyacht build trends, and a talk and workshop examining why play matters for yacht designers. A fireside chat with a renowned superyacht owner completes the mix.
Tickets to this sell-out annual event are available now. Book now before the price increase on 8 January 2026.
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