The key to a successful superyacht event

With thanks to Riviera Organisation

As the superyacht industry continues to expand - luxurious, spectacular and memorable events are in demand. There are many factors, which need to be taken into account in order to ensure a superyacht event is the best it can possibly be.

It’s a well-known fact that only the highest standards are expected within the yachting industry and whoever is hosting the event will be no exception.

Yacht event management professionals

The south of France is one example of a popular yachting location where events and parties are held every day. Peter Mackley, Managing Director at Riviera Organisation, a leading entertainment and event management company on the French Riviera, stated: "The Côte d’Azur is a hotspot for world events, and a place where beautiful super yachts attract the rich and the famous. Some of these private charter yachts offer spectacular settings for events and luxury parties, but the organisation involves many challenges so be sure to hire a well experienced professional for your event.”

10 challenges hosting a party on a yacht

According to Riviera Organisation, there are 10 typical challenges that may occur when creating an event on a super yacht. Be prepared:

1. Requests can be weird and wonderful, often at short notice.

2. Space may be limited on-board which may change the configuration of the event.

3. Loading and unloading materials can be a logistical challenge and you may even need a crane.

4. Tenders may be need to transport large quantities of materials if the boat is out at sea.

5. Access may be difficult, as there may be delivery restrictions from the port authorities, creating difficulty gaining access with a van.

6. Delivery and collection of material could be in different ports.

7. Storage can be at a premium. Is there enough storage space allocated for empty boxes, spare cables etc.?

8. Electricity supply can be limited and there may also be foreign sockets - so be prepared.

9. Neighbours may cause problems. Beware there may be noise competition from neighbouring boats during busy events.

10. Restrictions may be in place for the number of guests/staff permitted on-board.

10 essential tips for yacht event planning

The expectations and standards are very high within the yachting industry, without exception. Riviera Organisation's top 10 tips below cover some of the most common issues to bear in mind when planning an event on a yacht:

1. Hire a professional, as experience is key. Arranging an event takes a mixture of creativity, logistics and experience. Make sure you hire a professional who has plenty of experience in creating events for super yachts.

2. Prepare a clear set-up plan and consider ALL logistics. Don't leave this to chance. Space is limited; so you'll need to know exactly where everything is to go and how the event will flow, well in advance.

3. Even the best entertainment can disappoint if it is not used in the right context. How often have you seen the same band or DJ go down a storm in one party but miss the vibe at another? Choose music and entertainment appropriate for the event. Consider what the purpose of the party is and what message are you hoping to get across to the guests.

4. Choose material suitable for each yacht. There's no point having huge speakers if they will end up being an eyesore and just get in the way! These days there are a lot of compact but effective and well-designed solutions, sometimes even remotely controlled and battery-operated (cable free).

5. Check compatibility with on-board entertainment systems. Being able to easily plug an external music source through the boats system may save material rental charges, spread the sound more evenly round the boat and keep you in control of the sound levels.

6. Security security security. Is all material firmly secured, cables tidy and taped, electricity earthed etc...? Once again attention to detail is paramount.

7. Electricity supply. How much power is needed and will the boat or the port supply this? Are there enough extension cables to reach where all the material is to be set-up? It would be useful to have a handful of socket converters and a couple of circuit breakers on standby just in case.

8. Delivery times, access to the port (and restrictions) and whether authorisation is needed.

9. Manpower. It's probably better to rely on your crew to load the material into the right deck rather than risking paintwork being damaged by a well-meaning technician trying to negotiate a narrow staircase with heavy equipment.

10. Make sure there's enough to eat and drink. Not many things can ruin a good party but running out of food and drinks is certainly one of them! It’s better to have left overs, than run out too quickly.

Peter Mackley of Riviera Organisation also stated, "Many of our clients are delighted and amazed with the difference a professional event management company can bring, rather than organizing the event themselves."

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