The Superyacht Design Symposium (SDS) 2016 kicked off with the always popular Welcome Cocktail on Sunday February 21. Held at the Kitzhof Hotel in Kitzbuhel, the event was hosted in association with luxury carpet brand Tai Ping and gave owners and industry members a chance to relax and catch up before the Symposium began.

To ease everyone into the Superyacht Design Symposium, and build excitement before the prestigious ShowBoats Design Awards the next day, all the designs by the finalists of the Young Designer of the Year Award were on display at the party. This coveted award has helped launch the careers of many aspiring yacht designers and was this year presented in association with Oceanco.

Superyacht Design Symposium panel member Pascale Reymond of Reymond Langton Design with SDS chairman Stephen Bayley and lighting designer and SDS workshop speaker Sally Storey.

Legendary designers and naval architects Terence Disdale and Tim Heywood settle in to the Superyacht Design Symposium with Daniela Zulli of Terence Disdale Design, Heywood's partner Vanessa Reville and a guest.

Paola Trifirò, former owner of 49 metre Fitzroy Yachts sailing yacht Zefira, with designer Giorgio Vafiadis (right) and guest.

Italian fashion and automotive entrepreneur and Superyacht Design Symposium speaker Lapo Elkann. Elkann is also the owner of the distinctive BagliettoLap-1 which sports a custom yacht paint job by his company Garage Italia Customs.

Iconic designers Martin Francis and Bill Tripp (centre) with guests.

Chairman Stephen Bayley with his wife Flo Fothergill, interior designer and Superyacht Design Symposium plenary speaker Nicky Haslam and guests.

Antonio Santella of San Lorenzo and designer and naval architect Frank Mulder of Mulder Design with Boat International editor-at-large Marilyn Mower.

Mario Pedol, CEO of Nauta Design and designer of the world's largest yacht 180 metre LürssenAzzam, with guest.

From left to right: Designer Giorgio Vafiadis with Michela De Curtis of Palumbo, Marcel van der Spek of Esthec and Guido De Cesare of Marine Leather.

Michael Breman (far left) and Sylke Auf Dem Graben (far right) of Lürssen with guests.