The Blue Innovation Dock 360° (BID) is one of the latest additions to the new three-year partnership between EBI and boot Düsseldorf. The BID aims to advance the industry on the pathway to sustainability based on innovation and will host 9 days of panel discussions, presentations, and keynotes during boot Düsseldorf from 21-29 January 2023.

BID’s kick-off event took place on 30 August and was organised by boot Düsseldorf and European Boating Industry. It was opened by Petros Michelidakis (Director, boot Düsseldorf) and Philip Easthill (Secretary-General, EBI).

In the keynote speeches, Dean Smith (COO, D Marin) presented his vision on the future of the marina sector, based on the experience of D Marin, focus on digital solutions to enhance the customer experience and on sustainability with the aim to be good stewards of the marine environment where the marinas are located. Linos Voskarides (Policy Officer - Maritime Policy - Sustainable Blue Economy, European Commission) presented the environmental and climate change-tackling ambition of the European Commission with the European Green Deal.

The panel discussion, moderated by boating journalist Marcus Krall, brought together the key stakeholders of the sector. Besides the two keynote speakers, it included Renata Marević (Manager, Marina Punat), Hans Roelants (General Manager, Searay Netherlands), and Oliver Glück (Vice President Marketing, Torqeedo). They discussed the current strong demand for marina berths, as well as new and used boats, that is forecast to continue in the next years. Regarding sustainability, they also discussed the need to move towards digital solutions to ease and improve the customer experience. To support the industry’s transition, it was agreed that a common roadmap agreed by the sector and policy-makers at EU level would be crucial to advance sustainability and grow jobs and economic opportunities for nautical tourism regions.

The recording of the kick-off meeting can be found here.