Metstrade

What Metstrade does

Metstrade is a global B2B trade exhibition for the leisure marine equipment industry, organized by RAI Amsterdam B.V. and held annually at RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. Founded in 1988 and scheduled to run 17–19 November 2026 across 13 exhibition halls, the show aggregates over 1,700 exhibitors and professionals from more than 140 countries, functioning as a marketplace for propulsion systems, sustainable materials, smart connectivity, onboard electronics, and ancillary marine equipment. The event is structured around specialist zones (Marina & Yard, Superyacht, Construction Materials, Foiling Technology, Startups, Country Pavilions) and is anchored by owned sub-brands including the DAME Design Awards, Boat Builder Awards, The Superyacht Forum (held 16–17 November), the Metstrade Startup Programme with Yachting Ventures pitch competition, Women in the Marine Industry International, and the Metstrain Eurostar service from London.

Revenue is generated primarily through exhibition stand fees paid by the 1,700+ exhibitor tenants across the 13 halls, supplemented by late visitor registration fees (€90 ex-VAT after 1 November; free prior), startup pitch competition entry fees (€350), and sponsorship/promotional visibility packages. Distribution is hybrid: physical attendance at RAI Amsterdam is the primary commercial surface, complemented by online registration, an exhibitor portal, a year-round content/news engine on metstrade.com, and a media partner network of ten marine-industry publications. The technology stack is standard event-management SaaS — registration, matchmaking, content delivery, virtual press room — with no proprietary AI/ML, no API exposure, and no mobile app.

Customer segments divide across marine equipment manufacturers and suppliers (primary, enterprise), boat builders and yacht manufacturers (primary, enterprise), marina and yacht club operators (mid-market), marine startups (early-stage), and superyacht industry C-suite attendees. Strategic positioning rests on network effects (1,700+ exhibitors × 140+ countries), brand recognition ("world's most influential platform"), and ecosystem lock-in via industry association partnerships (ICOMIA "Powered by," SYBASS "Endorsed by," plus NMMA, IBEX, British Marine, IEMA, IFBSO). Metstrade is a private show-brand within the parent RAI Amsterdam B.V. group; no external funding, public listing, or M&A activity is disclosed.

Name

Metstrade

Legal name

Metstrade

Website

https://metstrade.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Metstrade is the world's leading B2B trade exhibition for the leisure marine equipment industry, organized by RAI Amsterdam B.V. and held annually in Amsterdam. It brings together 1,700+ exhibitors and professionals from 140+ countries to source marine equipment, launch products, and network across 13 specialist halls.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Exhibition & Business Events

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Manufacturing, Industrial Equipment & Automation Shows Organizers (THAHABAF)

Keywords

• Leisure marine trade show
• B2B exhibition event
• Marine equipment showcase
• Boatbuilding industry networking
• Superyacht industry forum

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Stand Fees: Exhibitors pay to book exhibition space and stands at the trade show across 13 exhibition halls. Pricing varies by zone type including Marina & Yard, Superyacht, Construction Materials, Foiling Technology, Startups, and Country Pavilions.
2. Visitor Registration Fees: Registration is free until 1 November 2026, then €90 (excluding VAT) per visitor. This provides access to the exhibition floors, conferences, and networking events.
3. Startup Programme Participation: The Yachting Ventures Startup Pitch Competition charges €350 per startup for participation, with additional promotional packages for winners including investment opportunities, media interviews, and discounted exhibition stands.
4. Sponsorship and Promotional Visibility: Exhibitor opportunities and promotional packages are available for enhanced visibility during the event, including sponsorships of specialist zones, conference stages, and networking sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Metstrade is a flagship annual B2B trade exhibition organized by RAI Amsterdam B.V. that convenes the global leisure marine equipment industry at RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, drawing over 1,700 exhibitors from 140+ countries across 13 exhibition halls. The platform sells exhibition stands in specialist zones (Marina & Yard, Superyacht, Construction Materials, Foiling Technology, Startups, Country Pavilions), charges visitor registration fees, and runs adjacent programmes including the DAME Design Awards, The Superyacht Forum, Boat Builder Awards, and the Yachting Ventures Startup Pitch Competition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DAME Design Awards: Design awards competition for marine equipment at Metstrade, celebrating excellence in design across the leisure marine industry.
• Boat Builder Awards
• Metstrade Startup Programme
• Yachting Ventures Startup Pitch Competition
• Women in the Marine Industry International
• Metstrain

Products and services

• Metstrade Trade Exhibition Annual three-day B2B trade exhibition held at RAI Amsterdam (17-19 November 2026), offering exhibition stands across 13 halls and specialist zones (Marina & Yard, Superyacht, Construction Materials, Foiling Technology, Startups, Country Pavilions) to leisure marine equipment manufacturers, suppliers, boatbuilders, marina operators, and superyacht industry professionals from 140+ countries.
• DAME Design Awards Annual design awards competition embedded within Metstrade, recognising excellence in marine equipment design. Open to exhibitors across propulsion, electronics, materials, and accessories, with entry fees donated to charitable causes in the marine industry.
• The Superyacht Forum Two-day C-suite-level strategic forum held alongside Metstrade, gathering superyacht industry leaders for high-level discussions on future propulsion, sustainability, infrastructure, and regulation in the superyacht sector.
• Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement Annual awards programme presented jointly by IBI and Metstrade, recognising business achievement across all areas of boatbuilding, including collaborative solutions between boat builders and their supply chain partners.
• Yachting Ventures Startup Pitch Competition Pitch competition run in partnership with Yachting Ventures, giving leisure marine and superyacht startups the opportunity to pitch to investors and industry experts during Metstrade. Participation fee is €350 per startup, with winners receiving investment opportunities, media interviews, and discounted exhibition stands.
• Metstrade Startup Programme Dedicated exhibition and pitch programme within Metstrade providing emerging marine companies with curated exhibition space in the Startup zones (Leisure Marine and Superyacht segments) and access to investors, media, and industry partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,700 exhibitors participate annually across 13 exhibition halls
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICOMIA is listed as a 'Powered by' partner, indicating a significant collaborative relationship in supporting the Metstrade event and the leisure marine industry platform.
• SYBASScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSYBASS is listed as an 'Endorsed by' partner, representing industry endorsement of the Metstrade event.
• IBEXflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBEX is listed as a 'Strategic partner' and collaboration partner, with joint initiatives including the North American Stage developed in collaboration with NMMA, IBEX, and Soundings Trade Only.
• RAI AmsterdamflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAI Amsterdam is the organiser of Metstrade, providing the venue at Europaplein 24, 1078 GZ Amsterdam, and operational infrastructure for the event.
• Yachting VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYachting Ventures partners with Metstrade to organise the Startup Programme including the Startup Pitch Competition. The partnership brings together emerging companies, investors, and industry leaders.
• IEMA (International Electric Maritime Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetstrade is a partner with IEMA, which brings together organisations involved in manufacturing electric boats, providing charging infrastructure, and knowledge platforms to accelerate maritime electrification.
• DAME Design AwardsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAME Design Awards is an integral part of Metstrade, recognising excellence in marine equipment design with charitable donations from entry fees.
• The Superyacht ForumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Superyacht Forum is the superyacht sector's leading C-suite event held alongside Metstrade, bringing together industry leaders for strategic discussions.
• British MarinecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBritish Marine co-hosts the Women in the Marine Industry International panel and networking breakfast at Metstrade, along with Soundings Trade Only and Marine Industry News.
• Soundings Trade OnlycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSoundings Trade Only co-hosts the Women in the Marine Industry International panel and networking breakfast and collaborates on the North American Stage.
• Marine Industry NewscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMarine Industry News co-hosts the Women in the Marine Industry International panel and networking breakfast at Metstrade.
• Yacht FemmeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYacht Femme organises the Women's Yachting Award celebrating women in yachting, awarded during Metstrade.
• The Magenta ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Magenta Project receives charitable donations from DAME Design Awards entry fees to support its mentoring programme for women in sailing and the marine industry.
• NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMMA collaborates with Metstrade on the North American Stage (Hall 12) developed in collaboration with IBEX and Soundings Trade Only.
• Women in Nautica (WiN)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWomen in Nautica organises the WiN conference at Metstrade, focusing on technical developments and diversity in the leisure marine industry.
• Media Partners NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partners including Boat Builder Professional, Boat International, IBI, JEC, Marina, MIN, Nautech, SuperYacht Times, The Superyacht Group, and Trade Only provide marketing reach and content distribution.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Southampton International Boat Show: A leading UK-based leisure marine show organized by British Marine. Directly comparable to Metstrade as a B2B and consumer-facing exhibition for boatbuilders, marine equipment, and accessories, with overlapping exhibitor base and British Marine (a Metstrade partner) involvement.
• Monaco Yacht Show: An annual luxury yacht and superyacht exhibition held in Port Hercules, Monaco. Directly comparable to Metstrade's superyacht segment for high-end leisure marine equipment, suppliers, and yacht builders targeting affluent buyers and industry decision-makers.
• Cannes Yachting Festival: A major European in-water boat show held annually in Cannes, France. Directly comparable to Metstrade as a leading leisure marine exhibition serving yacht builders, equipment manufacturers, and luxury marine buyers across the European market.
• Salone Nautico di Genova (Genoa International Boat Show): Italy's premier boat show held annually in Genoa. Directly comparable to Metstrade as a long-running European B2B and B2C leisure marine exhibition covering yachts, marine equipment, and boating accessories with similar exhibitor and visitor profile.
• boot Düsseldorf: The world's largest boat and water sports trade fair held annually in Düsseldorf, Germany. Directly comparable to Metstrade as a global B2B platform for leisure marine equipment, components, and accessories, with overlapping exhibitor base and similar three-day exhibition format.
• Miami International Boat Show: An annual NMMA-produced boat show held in Miami, Florida. Directly comparable to Metstrade as a major leisure marine exhibition for boatbuilders, equipment manufacturers, and accessories, and is run by NMMA, which is itself a Metstrade strategic partner.
• Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show: The world's largest in-water boat show, held annually in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Directly comparable to Metstrade as a flagship leisure marine exhibition showcasing boats, marine equipment, and accessories to a global B2B and B2C audience.
• Newport International Boat Show: A long-running New England sailboat and powerboat show held annually in Newport, Rhode Island. Comparable to Metstrade as a B2B and B2C leisure marine exhibition for boatbuilders and marine equipment suppliers, particularly relevant for sailing and yacht segments.
• IBEX (International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference): A leading North American B2B marine trade show focused on boatbuilding, marine equipment, and technical training. Directly comparable to Metstrade as a focused trade exhibition for marine equipment manufacturers and boatbuilders, with Metstrade itself listing IBEX as a strategic partner.

Broad incumbents

• SMM Hamburg (Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology): A leading global trade fair for the commercial maritime industry held in Hamburg, Germany. Comparable to Metstrade as a major marine technology trade show with a broader (commercial) focus, overlapping exhibitors in propulsion, electronics, and materials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metstrade-worldwide-events
• Xx.com/metstrade
• Facebookfacebook.com/Metstrade

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metstrade