Bidding to host Yacht Racing Forum 2020 and 2021 is open

Yacht Racing Forum © Rick Tomlinson / Yacht Racing Forum

The leading annual conference for the business of sailing and yacht racing invites interested parties to submit their applications in order to host the next editions of the annual conference.

The Yacht Racing Forum is the annual B2B event for the business of sailing and yacht racing. Now in its twelfth edition, the Forum brings together the sports' key decision makers, professional sailors, event organisers, host cities, sponsors, designers and manufacturers from all over the world to discuss the future of the sport, showcase the latest technologies and innovations, share best practice and generate new ideas and concepts.

Held every year over a two days period at the end of November, the Forum is made up of conferences and debates, as well as networking opportunities in the exhibition area. The event generates significant local spend including approximately 800 hotel nights, local transport use, spend at restaurants and tourist activities.

The Yacht Racing Forum offers host cities the opportunity to showcase their infrastructure, their sailing industry or their potential to host regattas, teams and sailing events. It is a unique opportunity to welcome the sports' elite from all over the world in a cost-effective way.

"We are developing this event with a long term vision, in order to provide a better return to our partners and host cities ", says Bernard Schopfer, the organiser of the Yacht Racing Forum. " In three years, the number of delegates and partners attending the Forum has doubled and it has become a must-attend event for anyone involved in the yacht racing industry. "

Yacht Racing and business media from all over the world also attend the Forum, including representatives from the Forum's 18 media partners. The world's best sailing photographers and sailing filmmakers are also celebrated during the Forum, receiving the prestigious Mirabaud Sailing Video and Yacht Racing Image awards.

Last year in Lorient, no less than 400 delegates spanning 26 countries attended the Forum. There were 19 exhibitors and 85 speakers. 95% of the participants said they enjoyed the event whilst 83% consider it a " good or excellent " business platform.

Information for bidders here

Yacht Racing Forum Delegates - photo © Event Media

What they say about the Yacht Racing Forum:

Charles Caudrelier, winner, Volvo Ocean Race: "The Yacht Racing Forum is great for networking and sharing new ideas, about sailing but also sponsorship. Thanks to this event, we have a better understanding of how to sell our projects."

Armel Le Cleac'h, winner of the Vendée Globe 2016-17: "This is an important event for our industry; it is great to see what other people do, and also to demonstrate our know-how."

Katia Merle, composite engineer, Gurit: "Everyone agrees this event is really well attended. Being here is quite special. It is great to see all those people interacting and it's an excellent opportunity for everyone."

Chris Nicholson, Volvo Ocean Race Skipper, 2x Olympian and 6 x world champion: "This event is an incubator for new ideas, and generating discussions and debates is a really good thing for our sport."

Bill Pearson, Technical Director, North Sails: "It's very rare that people involved in different sides of our industry get together because it's super competitive, if not secretive. The Forum is a unique opportunity to reassemble people from all sides of the sport: technical, business, marketing and sportive."

Merfyn Owen, designer: "It's a great place to meet your peers and to keep business relationships going."

Strategic objectives achieved by hosting the Yacht Racing Forum:

• In 2016, Malta used the Yacht Racing Forum to show its fantastic potential to organise sailing events during the european winter, and to highlight the level of its touristic and yachting-related infrastructure.

• In 2017, Aarhus (DEN) inaugurated its brand new water-front real-estate development including harbour and yacht racing facilities. The venue used the Yacht Racing Forum as a promotional platform prior to hosting sailing's World Championships and a Volvo Ocean Race fly-by.

• In 2018, Lorient (FRA), used the Yacht Racing Forum to promote its sailing and yacht racing industries to an international audience, organising a successful extra day of visits of the local corporations involved in yacht racing.

• In 2019, Bilbao (ESP) ambitions to demonstrate its great potential to host international sailing events, welcome sailing teams and industries involved in sailing and yacht racing.