A NUMBER of local companies represented the Isle of Man at the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show in September.
Around 30,000 visitors were expected to attend the event which ran from Wednesday, September 21 to Saturday, September 24.
500 exhibitors from 36 countries across the world exhibited including Island based companies Dominion Marine, Equiom, Mann Made Marine Limited and the Isle of Man Ship Registry.
Chris Allix, the director and founder of Dominion Marine, has been attending the Monaco Yacht Show since is started 21 years ago.
He explained: "The Monaco Yacht Show is definitely the one not to miss and we have been supporting it for many years.
"These days we ensure we have a substantial presence with a good sized stand and key staff available to talk to our large network of contacts and clients - mainly based in the South of France, Monaco and Italy.
"The show has always given Dominion an opportunity to represent the Isle of Man and promote it as a professional, dynamic, can-do place to do business.
"With recent changes to VAT legislation we are kept on our toes and have been working closely with our colleagues in government and other corporate service providers to find solutions to keep the Isle of Man on the map as a respected and forward-looking jurisdiction within the yacht industry."
This year there was 100 super yachts on show including 40 that are on show for the first time. 58 per cent of the boats on display will measure more than 40m in length.
Gareth Clumpus, senior trust and company specialist, and Kevin Wood, yacht and aviation specialist, represented Mann Made Marine Limited at the show.
Kevin said: "The Monaco yacht show is a massive opportunity to expand our clientele and develop new relationships within the super yacht industry. With our presence we aim to promote the Isle of Man as one of the leading fiduciary jurisdictions as well as raise our own profile.
"Our location in a highly respected offshore financial centre with a highly advantageous tax regime makes us very competitive to do business with."
Moore Stephens will also have a presence at the show. The Crew Benefits division is one of ten sponsors of the Griffin Yacht Club.
The club will host super yacht captains and crew in an exclusive lounge directly outside the Monaco Yacht Show in the Le Saint Benoit restaurant.
Clive Dixon, the director of Moore Stephens Crew Benefits, said: "It could not be more convenient to the Monaco show - a perfect place for yacht captains and crew to relax and a special opportunity for companies like us to network with them."
Equiom also exhibited and its team was led by senior manager Bruce Dutton. He said: "Monaco is a key event for our yachting division and provides the ultimate platform for us to meet with existing clients, and our good friends in the industry, to develop new relationships as well as giving us the opportunity to showcase our expertise to a global audience."
This story is part of isleofman.com's Review of the Year 2011.
