GMBA to hold first meeting in Palma

Global Marine Business Advisors (GMBA) has announced its first global meeting will be held from 14-17 March 2022 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The event, being held at the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP), will bring together 19 marine industry consultants based across 18 countries.

Real Club Nautico Palma hosts more than 30 regattas a year and has previously hosted international sailing events such as the Copa del Rey, the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofía, PalmaVela and the oldest sports competition in the Balearic Islands, the Trofeo Ciutat de Palma.

Oscar Siches of GMBA Spain says: “This is an important meeting for our group as due to the pandemic we have to date been unable to have face to face meetings. Given Palma’s location and marine history, Palma was proposed for this event, which was accepted unanimously. 

“We have an exciting programme allowing time for both business and pleasure. The group needs to address and discuss key issues the industry is facing and given our established operation it is important we now start to create some key policies. The commitment and generosity of the Royal Palma Yacht Club, the leading institution in Spain presided over by Emerico Fuster is providing GMBA with an excellent and comfortable place for our meeting.”

Club president Emerico Fuster says: “We are excited to be the selected venue for the first GMBA meeting and we look forward to showcasing the wonderful facilities and hospitality that our club is globally renowned for. The club looks forward to hosting the group and ensuring their time in Palma is exceptional.”  

Over the two-day conference, the GMBA team will visit Astilleros de Mallorca. Located in the Port of Palma, a short walk from the city centre, Astilleros de Mallorca was one of the first facilities of its kind to provide a full ‘one stop’ full Refit & Repair Superyacht Service Centre in Mediterranean Spain. More than 200 yachts are refitted or repaired at Astilleros de Mallorca every year, GMBA will be welcomed to the yard by CEO, Diego Colon. 

Colon says: “We are very proud of our facility and looking forward to providing a tour of our facilities to the GMBA team. It is excellent that they choose Palma for their first meeting.”

On the second day of the meeting Anders Kurtén, CEO of Baltic Yachts, will be addressing the group on ‘the future of sustainable superyachting’. This will be followed by a visit to Baltic Yachts.

Kurtén says: “The superyacht industry including sailing yachts is experiencing a buoyant market right now both for new builds and refit services. We are also living in exciting times, as new sustainable technologies are widely embraced and sought after by owners and shipyards alike.

“Those yards who are technologically positioned to leverage this development will have significant opportunities over the following years. I am looking forward to speaking to the team at GMBA and showing them our facility in Palma.”

Jouko Huju, GMBA states, “The foundation for GMBA was laid some two years ago and we have come a long way since. It is exciting to finally be able to have a meeting with all the advisors together. We feel our position is established and it is important that we review the last 2 years and develop our focus for the next 2-5 years. 

“We now have an excellent lineup of experienced industry players and the work we are doing is certainly providing very positive feedback. With travel now back on everyone’s agenda we are looking forward to being present at the key boat shows and events around the globe.

“It is fantastic that Oscar offered to host this first meeting and the turnout of consultants is impressive given they are coming from far and wide. Meeting face to face and strengthening relationships is important as we move forward and the whole group is excited by this prospect.”