The third edition of the European Sustainable Boating Roundtable is set to take place on Friday, 19 September 2025 at 3pm, during the 65th edition of the Genoa International Boat Show. The panel will be hosted in the Forum Hall.
As confirmed by Piero Formenti, the president of Confindustria Nautica, on the same day of the Genoa Boat Show, the fourth edition of the World Yachting Sustainability Forum will also take place.
A joint initiative between the European Boating Industry (EBI) and Confindustria Nautica, the roundtable event is positioned as a valuable platform for industry representatives and EU policymakers to come together and discuss key challenges and opportunities within the marine sector.
This year’s theme “Resilient & sustainable growth amid global trade shifts”, will explore how the industry can adapt to ongoing changes in international trade and geopolitical dynamics.
Discussions will focus on the boating sector’s contribution to regional economies, its export-led growth model, and the role of EU policy in supporting long-term competitiveness and sustainability.
Among the confirmed attendees is European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, who oversees Cohesion and Reforms, as well as tourism, transport and the blue economy. He is expected to deliver the keynote address. It will be the first occasion during the current European Commission mandate that a vice president has formally addressed a boat show.
Other speakers lined up include MEPs Francesco Torselli and Brando Benifei (Italy), MEP Željana Zovko (Croatia), and Sebastian Nietupski, CEO of Kotniz Group and former President of Polboat.
Together, they are expected to explore how collaboration between the industry and EU institutions can enhance the resilience of Europe’s boating sector and secure its competitive position in global markets.
Robert Marx, president of EBI, comments on the event: “The ability of our industry to remain competitive depends not only on innovation, but on stable and supportive policy. With the current challenges in global trade, it’s more important than ever that we engage directly with EU decision-makers. This roundtable creates the space for that dialogue and ensures the voice of the boating industry is cleary heard.”
Vice President of Confindustria Nautica and newly appointed EBI Special Representative for the Large Yacht Sector, Fabio Planamente, says: “Holding roles within both Confindustria Nautica and EBI provides a unique opportunity to reinforce the alignment between national priorities and European strategies. The roundtable represents a pivotal platform to promote a shared vision for a sustainable and competitive future for the boating industry, ensuring our sector’s interests are effectively represented in the European policy arena.”
The roundtable continues to build on the momentum of previous editions, with organisers positioning it as a leading policy platform for the recreational boating industry. It comes at a time when the sector faces increasing complexity due to environmental regulations, trade disruptions and evolving consumer expectations.
Attendance is free, but registration is required due to limited capacity. Interested participants can register here.
Stay informed about upcoming boat shows and marine events scheduled for the coming months.
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