On 15 March the US Superyacht Association (USSA) invites budding designers, inventors and entrepreneurs to present their ideas to a panel of high-profile industry professionals during the third annual Superyacht Summit. The USSA, an association dedicated to the promotion of the US superyacht industry, hopes this will provide the perfect platform to encourage burgeoning superyacht talent.

Selected from a cross-section of the superyachting sphere, the panel will judge entrant’s ideas and designs in a competition format similar to the well known TV show ‘Shark Tank’ at the inaugural ‘Superyacht Tank Test’.

“The format is simple for both the designers and the self-promoters program,” explains Ken Hickling, superyacht industry specialist and Summit Committee member. “Candidates get three minutes to make their pitch to the Superyacht Summit delegates and distinguished judges’ panel. Pictures, videos, music, even singing are all allowed. When time is up, we pull the plug and move on to the next presenter.”

This dynamic competition has been separated into two parts, the Designers’ Challenge and Novelty Now Challenge.

The Designers’ Challenge allows burgeoning design talent to brief the judges and the audience for three minutes on one of their original 24m-plus superyacht concepts. Conference delegates will vote for their favourite designs; these scores will then be combined with those of the judging panel to identify the overall winner.

Using the same scoring format, the Novelty Now Challenge provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to present a new, innovative product, service or business that they believe will benefit the superyacht market.

“The Superyacht Tank Test is going to be the perfect forum to give the talented visionaries in our industry an opportunity to sell their story,” concludes Hickling.

The Superyacht Group will be attending the third annual Superyacht Summit as an Admiral Sponsor and showing its support for growth and flourishing of what remains one of the most interesting, active and important markets for the superyacht industry.

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