During the week going from 6 to 11 September, the southern French city was the meeting point for the nautical industry. As usual, EBI held its first Council meeting of the second half of the year at the show and attended the Festival on the 7 & 8 September.

On the 7 September, the Council meeting took place at the FIN Stand. During the meeting new national representatives were welcomed, including the new president of FIN, Jean Paul Chapeleau and the new Secretary-General of FIN, Olivier Bougan as well one of EBI’s newest members, Karolis Valenta, president of LITBoat, who joined EBI after the last General Assembly held in Brussels on 14 June this year.
Olivier Bourgan replaces Maud Dugourd, who leaves FIN, as Secretary-General of FIN and as Chair of the EBI Executive Committee.

On Thursday 8 September, EBI welcomed MEP Ismail Ertug to the Festival. It was a great occasion to bring the European Parliament closer to the sector.

As guest of EBI, a visit of the show was organised for MEP Ertug that include some representative companies of the sector, as well as a dinner with EBI Council members. It was an ideal opportunity to discuss the industry’s green transition and the needs for supportive policy-making and funding at EU level. Other discussion topics included the EU’s tourism policy and the role of nautical tourism. Further cooperation is planned with MEP Ertutg, who summarised the industry as one of “Europe’s hidden champions”.