The annual Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, has opened for entries.

The Boat Builder Awards was founded to spotlight the industry’s essential endeavours of boat-building companies, personnel, and allied trades. The event, held by METSTRADE and IBI, culminates in a celebratory dinner at the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam on Wednesday, 20 November 2024.

“The awards have become a cornerstone of yacht building, showcasing remarkable winners,” says Niels Klarenbeek, director of METSTRADE. “Their success is often achieved in partnership with METSTRADE’s exhibitors, and the awards continue to chart industry progress, navigating through changing tides with elegance and culminating in a memorable celebration of excellence.

“Progress and innovation are all around us and in anticipation of a record number of candidates for this year’s 10th anniversary we’ve opened early for entries this year. It provides a six-month window for entrants and an opportunity for our judges to get on with their task of assessment at the earliest moment. We look forward to seeing our most impressive line-up of nominees yet for this edition of the Boat Builder Awards.”

Boat Builder Awards 2024 (3)

Raymarine returns once again as the event’s headline sponsor. Grégoire Outters, Raymarine’s general manager, comments: “Raymarine is proud to celebrate 10 years as title sponsor of the Boat Builder Awards in 2024. This prestigious event serves as a beacon, shining light on the brightest talents and boldest ideas shaping the future of boating.

“With each passing year, we deepen our admiration for the dedication and ingenuity driving progress in maritime design and technology. Here’s to a decade of honouring excellence and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the water.”

Boat Builder Awards 2024: Entries now open

The awards will be presented in 11 categories with three industry priority themes – innovation, environment and people.

Categories for this year’s awards are as follows:

  • Breakthrough launch of the year – sponsored by HP Watermakers
  • Innovative design solution – sponsored by Fusion
  • Collaborative solution between a builder and its supply chain collaboration
  • Retail marketing initiative
  • Sustainability project of the year – sponsored by ePropulsion
  • Eco-focused boat of the year – under 10m loa
  • Eco-focused boat of the year – over 10m loa
  • Designer of the year
  • People and skills development
  • Rising star – sponsored by Lumishore
  • Lifetime achievement award – sponsored by Sleipner
Boat Builder Awards 2024 (3)

Responding to the fast pace of new launch activity with sustainability as a core focus, the Eco Boat of the Year award is in two categories this year, split for under and over 10m length overall.

Making a return to the line-up is the Retail Marketing Initiative, which will celebrate exemplary projects that are driving industry sales.

The remit of the People and Skills Development award has been broadened to include everything from one-off success with individuals, to major industry training schemes and projects.

The Boat Builder Awards is free to enter. Nominations are open now until 27 September 2024.

The post Boat Builder Awards 2024 opens for entries appeared first on Marine Industry News.