Last year, we had the opportunity to speak with Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival, gaining valuable insights into the ambitions and vision driving this prestigious event. Now, on the eve of the new edition, we return to Sylvie to learn how the festival has evolved, discover the latest initiatives, and hear her perspective on the future of the yachting industry
Last year, you announced major improvements, including the opening of the new Power Boat Marina in Port Canto and the “Innovation Route.” What impact did these initiatives have during the 2024 Festival, and how are they influencing your plans for 2025?
The opening of the Power Boat Marina dedicated to small motor boats in Port Canto has made it possible to better segment the supply and meet strong demand for units up to 12 metres long. We brought together 170 day boats in the same space, which was a big first for the show. Feedback from exhibitors was very positive, particularly in terms of visibility and flow for visitors. This new marina is therefore being extended in 2025 by making some improvements requested by our exhibitors, including improving access, which will be achieved thanks to the planned widening of the large Sailing/Power entrance.
As for the Innovation Route, it has provided the opportunity to highlight concrete initiatives undertaken towards the environmental transition. Both the public and the exhibitors welcomed this initiative, and we naturally decided to bring it back again this year.
This 48th edition continues along the lines of the previous one. The Innovation Route continues to develop, with a refined selection of projects, and we ensure that the offer is always optimised for visitors, while respecting the boat show’s very dense configuration. To take things even further this year, we have also decided to recognise the most promising innovations, by creating the Innovation Route Awards.
You've previously emphasized your commitment to sustainability and innovation. Can we expect any new, exclusive projects or partnerships this year that support decarbonization and eco-friendly practices in the yachting industry?
Responsible innovation is now an integral part of the show. Each year, the Cannes Yachting Festival allows players with concrete solutions to highlight their ideas: electric or hybrid engines, hydrogen propulsion, recyclable materials, energy consumption reduction systems, and so on.
In 2025, the Innovation Route continues to bring these initiatives together by making them visible to the general public and professionals.
We also work with our partners and service providers to reduce the impact of the event itself. Throughout the year, we raise awareness among our exhibitors about how to use recyclable or reusable materials and products in building their stand. We set up sorting areas to optimise waste management. During breakdown, we will have the support of representatives from GreenBee, who will meet exhibitors to help them optimise their waste. For the first time, we will also donate food to reduce waste
Which key trends do you expect to define the 2025 edition — in terms of vessel types, technological advancements, or changes in visitor expectations and profiles?
There is a dynamic around boats with hybrid or electric propulsion, with importance given to the use of solar energy. Boat builders, whether they are large or small, have understood the environmental issue well and are tackling it with a huge amount of creativity.
What is also striking is the change in demand: buyers are looking for boats that have more and more equipment and fittings, with a high level of comfort and technology, regardless of how big the boat is.
Today new technologies are playing a role in this transformation, and we are seeing the arrival of increasingly intelligent on-board systems: automated energy management, assisted navigation, connected interfaces… Boats are becoming more intuitive, more efficient, and more secure too. And this often interests a demanding customer base, looking for modern technological and often tailor-made solutions.
In terms of visitors, the same level of expectation can be found and there is a growing interest in innovation, sustainable materials and intelligent systems. The technological aspect has become a real factor in terms of attractiveness.
The Cannes Yachting Festival is well known for its world premieres. How do you decide which premieres will be featured, and are there any surprises or particularly anticipated models this year?
The Cannes Yachting Festival hosts a significant number of world premieres each year, thanks in particular to its strategic position at the opening of the yachting season. It is the exhibitors themselves who choose to present their new products here, attracted by the exceptional visibility the boat show offers to an international audience of enthusiasts and journalists. Our mission is to highlight this wealth through our communication tools, visitor tour and digital platforms.
The 2025 edition is once again packed with exclusives, with almost 130 models being unveiled as world premieres.
Among the much-anticipated launches this year are the 100 Sunreef Power, designed by the Polish boat builders Sunreef, Azimut Yachts’ Seadeck 7 – the world’s first yacht to combine hybrid propulsion with Volvo Penta’s IPS technology. This model allows full electric sailing up to 11 knots and reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 40% compared to an equivalent conventional yacht. There will also be the CNB 62, an Italian sailing boat that combines functionality with elegance, as well as the Oceanis 47 New by Bénéteau, which combines timeless design and innovation, with particular attention paid to recreational sailors’ experience.
Considering global economic trends and the unique nature of the luxury yachting sector, how is the Festival adapting its strategy to attract exhibitors and visitors while maintaining steady growth and relevance?
With a deliberately eclectic offer, the Cannes Yachting Festival is aimed at a wide, varied audience, from enthusiasts to experienced professionals. This diversity, combined with the quality of the reception and the attractiveness of Cannes and the French Riviera, remains one of the strong pillars of the event.
We make sure we maintain a very high level of content and service, both for exhibitors and visitors, while staying attentive to the market and trends. This is reflected in creating new areas when necessary, adjusting our offer regularly, supporting and listening to our exhibitors and making constant investments in increasingly effective communication tools.
Our strength lies in this ability to evolve without losing our identity – adaptability that is essential for supporting the changes in the industry.
What would you say is the biggest challenge — or perhaps the greatest opportunity — in organizing this year’s edition, given current market conditions and the expectations of exhibitors and visitors?
The main challenge remains space: we are very close to maximum capacity with 700 boats from 5 to 50 metres long in water and a multitude of equipment on land, so it takes ingenuity to meet the growing demand. The Vieux Port is also undergoing a period of improvement works that have an impact on how the show is organised. Taking all these elements into account, we must succeed in satisfying our exhibitors and designing movement around the show that flows and is enjoyable for our visitors. It is a real challenge to manage such a density of boats and equipment while ensuring the show remains elegant with easy movement around it and good visibility for each of our exhibitors. We achieve this through great rigour and above all the professionalism and motivation of an incredible team. Taking on such a challenge every year makes us happy.
This is also my last year as the show’s director, and it is an honour for me to have been working alongside Constance Brément for several months, who will take over from me for the 2026 show.
