Visitors to the upcoming Monaco Yacht Show concerned about yachting’s environmental impact have an extra opportunity to discover credible commitments. Show organizers are initiating the Blue Wake Awards to honor sustainability solutions that are not only innovative, but also effective
The awards are part of the Blue Wake program, which itself is in its first year, too. Blue Wake highlights eco-friendly exhibitors throughout the tents and along the docks. These include superyacht builders, among other companies. All have undergone rigorous scientific vetting by the Water Revolution Foundation, a non-profit helping the yachting industry improve its image and footprint. The Blue Wake program complements the Sustainability Hub, which has been at the Monaco Yacht Show for a few years. The Hub brings together suppliers with sustainable solutions, all of which the Water Revolution has vetted as well.
For the Blue Wake Awards, the nominees are all participants in the Blue Wake program. A jury evaluates each finalist’s solution to determine which has the highest credibility, innovation, and effect. The criteria for judging require evaluating the solution’s relevance to yachting, of course. The jury includes representatives from the Water Revolution Foundation plus other environment-focused non-profits such as the Blue Marine Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Ultimately, the Blue Wake Awards comprise five categories. Luxury Products and Services is one, for instance. Suppliers, tenders and toys makers, refit and new-build shipyards each have their own categories, too. The final category is a Special Jury Awards. In this case, a yacht is the recipient, for incorporating strength and depth of environmental solutions.
The Monaco Yacht Show organizers anticipate that the inaugural edition of the awards will continue inspiring more industry stakeholders to implement sustainable steps. Simultaneously, it will make it easier for show visitors to identify exhibitors leading change.
The show organizers will reveal the winners the evening of September 23, the day before the show opens.
Monaco Yacht Show monacoyachtshow.com