Cannes Yachting Festival: The first international boat show to reopen its doors on 8 September

Cannes Yachting Festival © Cannes Yachting Festival

Traditionally the first show on the nautical calendar and Europe's leading in-water boat show, in this year unlike any other, the 2020 Yachting Festival will also be the first event on an international scale to reopen in the post-lockdown period.

This new year remains true to the show's DNA with almost 400 boats presented ranging from 3 to 43 metres, in-water or on-land, sailing or motor, monohull or multihull boats, with hard or semi-rigid hulls.

Visitors will have the chance to meet the top names in the international nautical industry, who have come to present a host of world previews spread across Cannes' two ports, strictly complying with the health regulations in force. Just like last year, the Vieux Port will host the world of motor boats and the sector devoted to luxury and lifestyle in the Luxury Gallery. Port Canto will be devoted to Sailing with a selection of nautical toys on its quays.

The opening of the 43rd Yachting Festival has been made possible following two major announcements:

1 - Green light from the French government

As expected, on 27 July 2020, Franck Riester, the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, confirmed the resumption of professional events, exhibitions, trade fairs and conventions from 1 September with no size limit and in compliance with protective measures.

2 - Obtaining the "Safe & Clean" label created by Apave

Thanks to the General Health and Safety Plan (PGSS)* drawn up to allow the trade show to open under the best possible health conditions, the Yachting Festival is the first event to have obtained the "Safe & Clean" label. The aim of this new label, in response to this unprecedented health crisis, is to reassure visitors and exhibitors regarding the Festival's ability to welcome them under adequate safety conditions in compliance with current standards.

Created by APAVE on 18 May, the "Safe & Clean" label attests that health measures in the light of the risk of Covid-19 have been properly implemented to support public and private establishments. APAVE wished to offer high-quality recognition to companies in order to reassure their customers and members of staff regarding the preventive measures put in place given the risk of Covid-19. This label commits the company to a process to formalise the preventive procedures based on an audit grid detailing the operational programmes and actions to be implemented.

Cannes Yachting Festival - photo © Cannes Yachting Festival

The PGSS offers an effective, detailed response to compliance with the protective measures to put in place, specific cleaning and hygiene rules, new protection processes during any contact (traffic flow, payment, suppliers, etc.), and the communication of key indicators. A point of contact has been appointed to check that the health protocol is implemented correctly before and during the event. It goes without saying that this protocol will be adjusted in due course according to the measures decreed by the government concerning trade fairs.

"The health security of our exhibitors, visitors and members of staff is at the heart of our concerns more than ever this year. We wish to welcome them and allow them to enjoy peace of mind while attending the trade show. It was important for us that the health protocol that we have been working on for several months was certified "Safe & Clean" by APAVE to give a strong signal and reassure our customers. Our profession as event organisers leaves no room for improvisation, everything has truly been done so that visits to the trade show take place under the best possible conditions. Visitors and exhibitors will therefore be able to make the most of the Yachting Festival with peace of mind. It looks very promising once again this year with lots of previews to discover!" explains Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Yachting Festival.

Discover the measures put in place for visitors here.

*As stated in the press release communicated in early July, the PGSS drawn up by the trade show was presented to the Prefecture, the City of Cannes and suppliers. This plan is based on the health measures recommended by UNIMEV and presented to the government, and the reference document that Reed Exhibitions Group has produced for all its trade shows internationally.

Useful information

Venue: Vieux Port and Port Canto, Cannes
Dates: From Tuesday 8 to Sunday 13 September 2020
Opening hours:
Open every day from 10am to 7pm
Late night opening on Friday 11 September until 10pm
Closing at 6pm on Sunday

For further information about the Yachting Festival, visit cannesyachtingfestival.com