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From Superyacht to Jaguar Land Rover:
2016 Superyacht Design Symposium takes luxury design to new heights
For the first time in its eight-year history,
the Superyacht Design Symposium is
connecting the world of superyachts
with a stellar list of influential designers
across the automotive, interiors,
jewellery and fashion worlds, for two
days of lively debate in the Austrian Alps,
from 21st-23rd February 2016.
Chaired by Stephen Bayley, co-creator
of London’s influential Design Museum
and one of the industry’s best-known
commentators, the conference will
encompass challenging debates on
the cutting-edge ideas and trends
shaping the future of the superyacht
and luxury design markets, mirroring
Boat International Media’s strategy to
break new ground and celebrate luxury
lifestyle among an increasingly diverse
audience of taste-makers.
World-class designers, CEOs and
superyacht owners taking to the stage
for the first time include Lapo Elkann,
entrepreneur and heir to the FIAT
fortune; Nicky Haslam, one of London's
most renowned interior designers; and
Gerry McGovern, the distinguished
automotive design director at Jaguar
Land Rover.Returning legendary yacht
designers Tim Heywood, Espen Oeino,
Terence Disdale and Andrew Winch, will
join them in engaging and authoritative
panel discussions on the hottest design
topics, including:“Is beauty a science or
an art?”; “What is the new luxury?”; and
“What has a superyacht got in common
with a warship?”
The winner of the prestigious Young
Designer of the Year Award 2016– which
celebrates the wealth of upcoming talent
that will define the next generation of
superyachts – will also be crowned at the
event and receive a Neptune trophy and
€5,000 cash prize. The highly coveted
award has already attracted entrants
from across the globe, including the
USA, Brazil, Bangladesh, Jamaica, British
Colombia, Moscow, Norway and Austria,
and submissions are being accepted until
Monday 30th November at 12.00 GMT.
Following the success of previous events
– which year after year have attracted
hundreds of superyacht owners,
builders and designers, naval architects,
interior specialists, and captains – the
2016 Symposium is moving to K3
KitzKongress, a state-of-the-art facility
in the idyllic heart of Kitzbühel, Austria.
Early bird tickets for the event are
currently available until 13th November
at £695 plus VAT, andstudents can
purchase the Young Designer Ticket for
the discounted price of £500 plus VAT.
Sacha Bonsor, editorial director of Boat
International, said: “This flagship event
reflects the shift in content and design in
the Boat International and ShowBoats
International magazines – celebrating
luxury lifestyle in all its facets. It is also
a fabulous networking opportunity
for those keen to rub shoulders with
industry greats and superyacht owners
in an exclusive setting.”
Stephen Bayley, chairman of the
Superyacht Design Symposium, said:
“The Superyacht Design Symposium
will be a fascinating market of ideas.
When I see a superyacht, I do not just
see a spectacular boat, but a floating
laboratory where taste and technology
are in busy competition. We'll bring
together some of the most interesting
personalities from design, architecture,
fashion and media to debate the
superyacht's future. I've