The inaugural Superyacht Summit Türkiye, which took place in Istanbul on November 30th, 2023, brought together 250 elite figures from the superyacht industry worldwide. Held in the Ciragan Palace, the summit attracted industry leaders not only from Türkiye but also from Europe, the US, and the Middle East, establishing it as a global gathering of significance.
Ciragan Palace
Against the opulent backdrop, the one-day summit featured a stellar line-up of speakers and industry experts.
“I was privileged to speak at the SST 2023 and be amongst such an illustrious panel of speakers. It was a real pleasure for me to see people of significant seniority and depth of expertise within the superyacht market gather in Istanbul. The overwhelming feeling is that we can't wait for the next edition, I highly recommend you make the journey in 2024,” says James Jaffa, CEO Jaffa & Co and one of the speakers at Superyacht Summit Türkiye.
James Jaffa
The diverse range of topics covered included the current state of the Turkish market, regulatory issues, charter, law, sustainability, branding, marketing, luxury tourism, and submersible technology. The presentations, conversations, and keynotes comprised a full day's program, providing valuable insights and fostering collaborative discussions among attendees.
Co-Founder of event organizers WeAreSuperyachts Oguz Bilgin added “The Superyacht Summit Türkiye stands as a catalyst for the ongoing expansion of the thriving Turkish market. Beyond being a meeting of minds, the summit represents a strategic intersection where expertise, innovation, and collaborative spirit meet. It's the dynamic that keeps the magic happening in the world of yachting.”
David Seal
The summit boasted C-suite attendance from all major Turkish shipyards, brokerages, lawyers, designers, and subcontractors. Approximately 20 superyacht captains and some yacht owners were also present, alongside the active participation of major Turkish associations, including YATED, TYBA, and YBA. The summit spanned a full day, running from 9 am to 8 pm, ensuring ample time for networking, learning, and collaboration.
Commenting on the resounding success of the summit, Bogdan Gusarev expressed, "Our mission was to bring industry leaders together to connect, learn, and explore better business practices in Turkey while also fostering stronger ties with the global market. With over 30% of attendees joining from outside the country, I believe we've successfully achieved our goals.”
TYBA members at the SST
Building on the resounding success of the 2023 event, event organizers WeAreSuperyachts announce the date and expansion of the Superyacht Summit Türkiye 2024 #SST2024, which will span two days on November 26th & 27th, 2024. The 2024 edition will feature a larger EXPO area, additional masterclasses, and even more networking opportunities. They are also proud to announce the first Superyacht Summit Adriatic, scheduled to take place in April 2024.
Founded in 2023, WeAreSuperyachts is a young, dynamic superyacht events company founded by Bogdan Gusarev and Oguz Bilgin, who met at the YPY Turkey. Their mission is to facilitate connection and collaboration between global and local companies in Turkey and beyond. In 2024, they will host two further summits—the first Superyacht Summit Adriatic in Croatia in April 2024 and the 2nd annual Superyacht Summit Turkiye Istanbul in November.
Credits: WeAreSuperyachts