Strategic collaboration agreement with the Italian Marine Industry Association for America's Cup
by America's Cup Media 21 Sep 07:27 PDT
21 September 2025
America's Cup Events announce a strategic collaboration agreement with the Italian Marine Industry Association, Confindustria Nautica © Carlo Borlenghi
At the 65th International Boat Show in Genoa, Italy, the organisers of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup in Naples, America's Cup Events (ACE), were delighted to announce a strategic collaboration agreement with the Italian Marine Industry Association, Confindustria Nautica which aligns the industry with the pinnacle event in sailing to be contested in Naples in 2027.
The agreement sees Confindustria Nautica become the 'Strategic Marine Industry Advisory Partner' to the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup, supporting ACE in facilitating contacts with the strategic companies of the Italian marine industry and its supply chain.
Confindustria Nautica will provide its proven expertise and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the Italian yachting market, supporting ACE in establishing the most effective relationships with relevant stakeholders, institutions, and businesses, in order to ensure the successful organisation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup in Naples.
Specifically, Confindustria Nautica will support ACE in identifying opportunities for industrial, commercial, and technical collaboration with leading Italian operators in the marine industry and will act directly or through its fully owned subsidiary, 'I Saloni Nautici Srl.'
Speaking about the collaboration, Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Event Director Leslie Ryan commented: "We are delighted to recognise and work alongside Confindustria Nautica's role as our competent and reliable institutional advisor in Italy. The exclusive relationship covered by this agreement is intended to safeguard ACE's interests and to ensure that the numerous approaches that we have already experienced, and can further expect, from entities of the Italian marine industry, are assessed based on Confindustria Nautica's arm's length expertise, experience and deep local knowledge of the marine sector in all its forms."
Piero Formenti, President of the Italian Marine Industry, speaking about the appointment, commented: "Having the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup in Naples in 2027, is a significant moment for the whole of Italy as well as being a huge opportunity for the marine community to showcase 'Made in Italy' and everything that our highly professional and innovative sector has to offer. This is a unique opportunity, and we are excited to collaborate closely with ACE under our new partnership agreement to ensure the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders and ensure a highly successful event in Naples in 2027."
Marco Monsurrò, Vice President of Confindustria Nautica, with responsibility for Southern Italy, Special Economic Zones and Internationalization echoed that sentiment, saying: "For Southern Italy, this partnership is more than an institutional recognition: it is a strategic opportunity. Hosting the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup in Napoli connects our territory with the world's most prestigious sailing event and allows our companies to compete on an international stage. Leveraging the advantages of the Special Economic Zones (ZES) and the extraordinary potential of our coastal regions, we can turn this event into a platform for long-term growth and global visibility. The legacy we aim to build is not just for the 2027 edition, but for the future of the marine industry in the South and for Italy's role in the international arena."
Grant Dalton, CEO of the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand further added: "Preparation for the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup in Naples in 2027 is ramping up significantly and we have been delighted by the responses and approaches from the Italian marine community, with many companies keen to be involved in the event. By collaborating closely with Confindustria Nautica, America's Cup Events are tapping into their vast resource and experience, and from an event perspective we are very much look forward to working closely with the association."
About Confindustria Nautica
The Italian Marine Industry Association, Confindustria Nautica, is the national non-profit institution that since 1967 has represented the interests of the entire yachting supply chain on a national and international level, dedicated to encouraging and enabling the growth of the sector's businesses, promoting marine culture and developing nautical tourism across Italy.
Since 1967, the Italian Marine Industry Association has been devoted to supporting and promoting the development of the yachting sector, a crown jewel of 'Made in Italy' excellence worldwide, with a supply chain made up of entrepreneurs capable of innovating, understanding and responding to the transformations of an ever-changing market.
The Italian Marine Industry Association is based at its headquarters in Genoa and Rome and is an active member of the General Confederation of Italian Industry, acting as the reference trade association for the yachting sector, from manufacturing and commerce to services. As part of the Italian Marine Industry's commitment to promoting the yachting sector and 'Made in Italy' manufacturing, it also plays an active role as member of Italian Marine Federation, the Italian Tourism Federation, the Italian Trade Fairs Committee, the Edison Foundation, Symbola, the Sustainable Development Foundation, and Italy's National Tech Cluster for 'Made in Italy' production 'MinIT,' all key institutions with which the Italian Marine Industry Association shares both its principles and initiatives.