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The blue innovation dock (bid) will cover all nine days of the boot Düsseldorf trade fair
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Another highlight of the bid is the launch of the new Environaut Environmental Officer Course
Next year will see boot Düsseldorf’s sustainability offensive get off to a powerful start. Over the nine trade fair days – 20 to 28 January 2024 – everything at the blue innovation dock (bid) in Hall 10 will revolve around innovative technologies, alternative drives and materials as well as the sustainable management of marinas and moorings. European and national policymakers will also be on board.
The bid will be opened on 20 January at 11.00 am by Dieter Janecek (Bündnis 90/The Greens), the Coordinator of the Federal German Government for Maritime Economy and Tourism, and Kestutis Sadauskas, Deputy Secretary General for Maritime Affairs at the European Commission. The bid programme will then kick off with a panel discussion on the topic of “Mission Net Zero: Reducing the Environmental Footprint of Boating” and the expectations of politicians and the industry in this regard. Given the very international nature of both exhibitors and visitors all discussions
and lectures will be in English.
Over the two weekends of boot Düsseldorf 2024, the bid programme will address trade visitors as well as private boaters and water sports enthusiasts. Held in a Townhall format, it will also involve spectators who are invited to ask the lecturers questions on the spot. On 20 January talks will revolve around the exciting topics of e-drives for boats and the development and use of sustainable fuels.
Petros Michelidakis:
Our exhibitors are highly committed to offering their customers a high degree of sustainability. I am very pleased that with the blue innovation dock we have succeeded in also getting policymakers on board for the interests of water sports. With this we have – jointly with the European Boating Industry – established a well-functioning link between the industry and political decision makers in the EU.
In organising the bid, boot Düsseldorf is supported by the Brussels-based European Boating Industry (EBI) association and its Secretary General, Philip Easthill. The President of the EBI, Robert Marx, who also acts as President of boot Düsseldorf, is particularly delighted with the conceptual cooperation for the bid:
With the blue innovation dock we are creating a unique discussion forum for industry, policymakers and the water sports community. I think this offer allows us to address innovative topics and raise awareness among the public and in the political sphere for the interests of the sector.
Speakers include Jose Ramon Bauza Diaz MEP, Karlheinz Jungbeck (Vice-President Tourism, ADAC, Emily Penn (Sailor & Ocean Advocate) and many others. Ioining the speakers is TransEurope Marinas member Dr. Roberto Perocchio Roberto, whose session “Panel discussion on Adapting to climate change – how to plan for the future”, will be taking place on Friday 26 January from 14:30 CET.
Another point of highlight at the bid is the launch of Environaut Environmental Officer Course. Initiated in February 2022, the Environaut project aimed to address crucial environmental challenges within the nautical tourism sector. The need to increase control over environmental impacts, improve knowledge regarding legislation, pollution control, and waste management highlighted the need for a comprehensive training programme.
The primary objective of the EnviroNaut project is to create the course for the position of “Environmental Officer in Nautical Tourism” and deliver it as a modular online course. This innovative program aims to bridge the gaps in environmental awareness, legislative compliance, and sustainability practices.
The launch event, scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2024, will feature a panel discussion on skills for sustainable nautical tourism from 14:30 – 15:15 and presentation of the EnviroNaut course at the Blue Innovation Dock stage from 15:30 to 16:00. Panellists include Karsten Stahlhut, Managing Director of the German Marine Association, Frank Schweikert (Founder, German Ocean Foundation) and Stavros Katsikadis, President of the Greek Marinas Association, among others.
The EnviroNaut course comprises five online modules, including an introductory module on Ocean Literacy and four specialised modules tailored for workers in Marinas, Sea Schools and Watersport Clubs, Skippers, and Maintenance Companies. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate for the position as Environmental Officers. It will also be a sign of environmental action for companies training their employees, which will be welcomed by customers, the local community and policy-makers.
Register here: (https://www.boot.com/bid_form_EN), free of charge, to access the blue innovation dock, amongst other benefits.
