MEDYS 2014 Press Release

The Greek Yachting Association (GYA) organized the first Mediterranean Yacht Show in Nafplion from the 3rd to the 7th of May 2014.The MEDYS (Mediterranean Yacht Show) is an international exhibition of crewed charter yachts which targets professionals of the yachting industry.

57 luxury vessels were on show and 21 pavilions hosted a variety of exhibitors.

202 yacht brokers from17 countries attended the inaugural MEDYS: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, British Virgin Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, UK and USA.

The large number of participants, the immaculate organization of the show and the high quality of the vessels have already classified the Mediterranean Yacht Show as one of the top events of its kind.

During the exhibition, participants had the opportunity to inspect the boats, meet the crews and arrange deals.

The opening ceremony took place on Saturday, 03 May, and was attended by the Minister of Shipping and Aegean, Mr.Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, the Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Yannis Maniatis, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports, Mr. Yannis Andrianos, the Deputy Governor of the Argolis district  Mr.Tassos Cheividopoulos, the Mayor of Nafplion, Mr. Dimitris Kostouros, the Commander of the Port Police of Nafplion, Mr.Spyros Marinos and a large number of guests. A reception followed at the fortress of Palamidi where those invited enjoyed a unique performance of live music by an electric string trio.

As part of the show, a series of parallel events were held:

• A seminar on Greek yachting legislation conducted by Yannis Markogiannis of the law Firm “Markogiannis Yannis & Partners” .

• A seminar regarding itineraries along the coastline of the mythical Peloponnese introduced by Ms Helen Kyriakakos of “Aris Drivas Yachting Company”.

• An open dialogue by the International Association MYBA on the present and the future of the union introduced by its representatives, Mr. George Pappas of “Big Blue Yachting” and Mr. Jean Claude Herve of “International Marine”.

• A presentation of ISM Security Corporation.

• A seminar on environmental awareness, pollution prevention and safety at sea by Ms. Heleni Mastrokosta of the “Hellenic Association for the protection of Marine Environment”.

• Chefs’ Competition with the theme “Greek Sushi”.

• Social events hosted on board several yachts.

The yacht show was attended by the majority of leading global chartering companies such as: Camper & Nicholsons, Edmiston & Company, Fraser Yachts, Yachting Partners International, Merle Wood & Associates, Inc., Dahm International, Ocean Style by Burgess, Northrop & Johnson, Luxury Charter Group and many others.

A plethora of media were also present : “Kathimerini” newspaper, “SkaiTV”, “Yachting USA” magazine, “Boat International Russia” magazine, “ Boat International UK” magazine, “Super Yacht World «magazine, “Yacht Charter Fleet” magazine, “Super Yacht Times” magazine, Charter Index.

The farewell gala was held on Tuesday, 06 May, and included the award ceremony of the Chefs’ Competition. In his closing address the President of the GYA, Mr. Michael Skoulikidis, announced the decision of the Board and the Municipality of Nafplion to hold the 2nd Mediterranean Yacht Show once again in Nafplion, from 2nd to the 6th of May 2015.

On May 07, several yachts departed from Nafplion and dropped anchor at Spetses island, where a reception was hosted by Mr. Manolis Vordonis at the Poseidonion Grand Hotel. The reception was followed by a tour of the island by the Mayor of Spetses, Panagiotis Lyrakis, and Mr.Manolis Vordonis.

The event was supported by the Ministry of Shipping and Aegean, the Prefecture of the Peloponnese, the Municipality of Nafplion, and by MYBA, the largest yacht brokers association in the world with members on all five continents.

Golden Sponsor: ELINOIL S.A.

Sponsors: Nammos Mykonos, Cava Cellier, Skouras Winery, Chauffeur Greece, ISM Security, ON-AIR Pro.

Media sponsors: “Kathimerini” newspaper, “SKAI TV”, “Yachting USA” magazine,“Boat International Russia” magazine.