- Events and Regattas
25,000 Meetings: ICE Amsterdam Defines the Future of Yacht Charter
The Decisive Decade: ICE’s 10th Anniversary Milestone
The International Charter Expo (ICE) is not just an item on the calendar; it is the definitive marketplace where the global yacht charter industry conducts its most serious business. The 2025 edition, marking the 10th anniversary, was a milestone event, bringing together more than 600 companies from over 57 countries at EXPO Greater Amsterdam. The volume alone speaks to its significance: over 25,000 meetings took place, proving once again why ICE is considered the most efficient networking platform in the yacht charter industry.
The Forum: Confronting Market Challenges Head-On
For the first time, ICE hosted a special industry forum focused squarely on the biggest challenges facing the global charter market. This was a C-suite dialogue, led by Founder Tino Prosenik and featuring respected experts like Luka Šangulin and Katerina Goutou. The discussion was granular and essential, focusing on offer and demand mismatch, over-discounting, commission models, and customer satisfaction. The core message was clear: sustainable market growth depends on strengthening the partnership between brokers and fleet operators to build a successful and lasting global charter market.
Efficiency Engineered: The Handshake System
The secret to ICE’s immense efficiency lies in its proprietary matchmaking system. Participants scheduled meetings weeks before the expo using the Handshake matchmaking app, allowing professionals to maximize their time during the three-day event. This pre-arranged meeting system eliminates guesswork and ensures that interactions between charter brokers, fleet operators, and central agents are focused and productive. This commitment to efficiency is the essential business foundation that makes ICE the preferred event for serious industry growth.
Superyacht Village: The High-Value Segment
ICE strategically segmented its vast gathering into focused sectors, including the Superyacht Village. This exclusive area caters to high-value charter, bringing together central agents of crewed motor yachts, sailing yachts, and catamarans with a charter week price generally over €85,000. This dedicated structure ensures exhibitors gain access to qualified brokers focused on high-value charter, offering premium visibility and networking opportunities with key decision-makers.
The Insider View: Our Role as Media Partners
Our presence at the 10th anniversary edition of ICE was not merely as attendees. As official media partners, Yacht Kings secured exclusive, direct access to the strategic discussions and high-level decisions made throughout the Industry Forum. This privileged position allows us to deliver reporting that transcends simple event coverage, providing our audience with the true, gritty, behind-the-scenes intelligence needed to navigate the coming charter season. We remain committed to bringing you the authoritative news that dictates the future of the market.
The Final Word: A Decade of Trust
The 10th anniversary was celebrated in true ICE style with the ICE Rocks Party and special anniversary gifts. However, the real celebration was the confirmation of global support, evidenced by visits from representatives of the Croatian, Greek, Italian, and Turkish embassies. After a decade of connecting the charter world and facilitating growth, the International Charter Expo continues to help companies grow, solve challenges, and build the critical trust required for the future.
