At the 24th Benetti Yachtmaster, the focus is on lifestyle and the importance of the captain for the shipyard.
Over 300 guests gathered in Budapest for training and networking
The 24th Benetti Yachtmaster, held in Budapest from February 21st to 23rd, has concluded. The shipyard brought together over 300 guests from around the world, including captains, owner representatives, surveyors, stewardesses, and industry professionals, to discuss two key topics: the new concept of onboard lifestyle and the importance of the captain in the relationship between the shipyard and its owner.
The topics of discussion – Benetti announced in a statement – were chosen based on the consideration that 'if the yacht is the object through which to express a lifestyle, the captain and his crew are certainly the human component that strongly influences the owners' onboard experience'.
The 2024 edition of Yachtmaster kicked off with a welcome address from Marco Valle, CEO of Azimut Benetti Group, who welcomed guests and emphasized the crucial role of captains and their expertise in building the yachts of the future. This was followed by a speech by Massimiliano Casoni, General Manager of Benetti, who focused on the elements that determine the brand's success: the product on the one hand, and the customer and the support the shipyard can guarantee, wherever the vessel is located, on the other. The shipyard's goal, he emphasized, is to offer personalized, easily accessible services dedicated to the owner and their crew; furthermore, each Benetti yacht will have a service manager as a point of contact for any type of assistance.
The themes of luxury and lifestyle were addressed by Sebastiano Fanizza, Benetti's commercial director, and Alessia Farci, head of customer experience, who presented the evolution of these concepts by owners, which have led to an increasingly personalized onboard experience, ensuring that the yacht blends seamlessly with the surrounding nature for a unique and boundless experience.
The Benetti Lifestyle and the importance of captains' roles in supporting the shipyard in understanding the client's needs throughout the various stages of the customer journey were then explored in depth. This enables the creation of a product that perfectly reflects the owner's expectations. From the first meeting, it was stated, a relationship of trust and understanding is established, which informs the design of a new vessel. This relationship continues throughout the yacht's construction process and extends beyond delivery to ensure a seamless experience for the captain, the client, and their stakeholders.
Subsequently, Sebastiano Vida, Benetti's product manager, examined how different lifestyles directly impact yacht design: from the first meeting with the client, their desires emerge, and the first sketches for a new project are born. It's also true that the ability to promote new design concepts that embrace a new onboard lifestyle can influence the purchasing decisions of the modern owner. A prime example, Benetti emphasized, is the Oasis Deck® concept, where the study of expanding the percentage of outdoor space has contributed to the success of the Oasis line; furthermore, the pinnacle of this trend's evolution will be reached with the new Veranda Deck®, a true reinterpretation of the main deck saloon, featuring seamlessly connected interior and exterior spaces.
Just as design influences the onboard lifestyle, functional aspects such as more efficient onboard systems and greater environmental awareness are driving the shipyard's focus on improving the quality of life for owners and their crew. The event focused heavily on Benetti's sustainability, with the presentation of the latest technologies introduced to reduce environmental impact: from energy management and savings, to fuel consumption reduction technologies and HVO, the alternative biofuel that reduces CO2 emissions by up to 80% well-to-wake. Measures related to drinking water onboard remain relevant, avoiding the use of plastic bottles and increasing storage to reduce waste.
On the second day of the 24th Yachtmaster, the morning was spent at the Museum of Fine Arts for a team-building experience exploring one of the world's most important collections of paintings. LH (Luxury Hospitality) held a leadership workshop for captains and crew members, aiming to establish a path for professional development and the achievement of collaborative goals within a team. At the end of the day, guests cruised along the Danube for the "Moonlight Wonders" gala dinner and admired the beauty of Budapest in its evening splendor.
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