Facing environmental challenges and new expectations from boaters, the nautical sector is evolving towards a more responsible economy.
Grand Pavois Organisation (GPO) launched in Nice the Sustainable Boating Show – Nice Boating Tomorrow, an international event entirely dedicated to sustainable boating, bringing together professionals, startups and enthusiasts around eco-friendly innovations and concrete solutions for the future of recreational boating.

Exhibitors and boats: showcasing eco-responsible solutions

During this first edition:

• 80 exhibitors, including 40% international (Finland, Croatia, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, Portugal, Monaco)
• Around thirty boats afloat, with sea trials to discover innovative solutions
• Key players from the boating industry, maritime innovation and energy transition sectors

The objective: to steer boating towards more sustainable and responsible navigation, while creating a platform for international exchange and cooperation.

International Forum: experts and leaders in sustainable boating

The Nice Boating Tomorrow Forum brought together 48 international speakers and 189 participants from more than 10 countries, including Germany, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Monaco, Belgium, Finland, Canada, Italy and Croatia. Among them:

• Elise Dumesnil, Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGAMPA)
• Patrick Hemp, International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA)
• Adria Jover, Institute of Energy and Environment (IEMA)
• Yannick Wileveau, French Electric Boat Association (AFBE)
• Ivana Lazarevic, Association for Eco-Responsible Boating (APER)
• Marc Van Peteghem, naval architect
• Simon Wauters, CEO of the Rossignol Group

These experts shared experiences, projects and strategic visions, providing practical insights into sustainable boating, eco-friendly marinas and new maritime mobility solutions.

Positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors

Despite a demanding economic and political context, exhibitors highlighted:

• An event fully dedicated to sustainable boating, without being diluted among unrelated sectors
• A qualified and international audience, with more than 20 countries represented
• The presence of 85 accredited journalists from various nationalities

The location in Nice, in direct continuity with the United Nations Ocean Conference (July 2025), was a major asset contributing to the success of the event.

Testimonials from sustainable boating stakeholders

“Nice Boating Tomorrow was a key moment, rich in exchanges and shared reflections. I particularly appreciated this collective willingness to move boating towards more environmentally friendly solutions. A crucial dynamic for building a sustainable future.”
David Ficheux, Industrial Designer – DFXcreation (France)

“We discovered a committed ecosystem around sustainable boating and are proud to have presented, as a world premiere, the first images and information about our Loopia 290 Family. The enthusiasm we received confirms our next steps: we have already booked a larger stand and a berth for 2027 to showcase the Loopia 290 Family at full scale.”
Gilles Wagner, CEO – Sea Loop Marine (France)

“Nice Boating Tomorrow brought together most European electric boat manufacturers in one place, attracting a highly targeted audience! For us at ELVENE, it was undoubtedly the ideal event to present our latest model, AMY, the fastest production solar-electric boat in the world. Boats need to be showcased and tested on the water, and the opportunity to run sea trials all day, every day, is the best way to discover an innovative product.”
Emil Finne, CEO – Elvene Shipyard (Finland)

This first edition of the Sustainable Boating Show confirms the importance of an international event dedicated to responsible boating, offering concrete solutions for the future of the industry.
With its infrastructure and strategic positioning, Nice is establishing itself as a European capital of eco-responsible boating.

The First International show dedicated to Sustainable Boating

Nice Boating Tomorrow is positioned as the must-attend event for international boating professionals, anticipating industry transformations and promoting eco-friendly navigation that respects marine ecosystems.

Eco-Responsible Setup and Technology

Nice Boating Tomorrow has implemented practical solutions to ensure a sustainable trade show:

• Selection of local and committed service providers (stands, signage, etc.) following eco-responsible practices
• Raw wood flooring under stands and in the exhibition hall, with no carpet or abrasive cotton
• Partitions and stand cladding made of raw wood
• LED lighting powered by solar energy
• Fully digitalized badges and registration process
• Systematic waste reduction and recycling (wood, glass, cardboard, bio-waste, Akilux…)
• Local, certified, and seasonal catering (within 200 km)
• Support for soft mobility: bike racks, carpooling, and proximity to tramway

Our commitments for a sustainable show

• Reduce energy, water, and paper consumption
• Manage, enhance, and recycle waste effectively
• Raise participants’ awareness of eco-responsible behavior
• Monitor and evaluate the environmental impact of the event

Nice Boating Tomorrow demonstrates how a boating event can combine innovation, enjoyment, and environmental responsibility.

An event designed to promote discussion

The program includes conferences, round tables, expert presentations, industry testimonials, masterclasses, pitch sessions, and the presence of key figures recognized for their commitment and vision.
This format allows participants to share experiences, compare points of view, and engage in strategic thinking guided by current data, feedback from the field, and inspiring examples from the nautical industry and other sectors.

Themes explored at the Nice Boating Tomorrow Forum

The environmental impact and challenges of yachting: understanding the issues
The Forum will begin with a clear and well-documented overview of the environmental impacts of recreational boating. This introduction will ground the discussions in the reality of uses, materials, life cycles, and expected developments.

Regulations, environmental standards, and financing the transition
Decision-makers, institutions, and experts will decipher the evolution of the regulatory framework and the support mechanisms that enable players in the sector to initiate or accelerate their transition.

Offshore racing and regattas, a field of innovation and excellence for recreational boating
With its technical demands and constant advances, offshore racing directly influences the evolution of technologies used in recreational boating. The Forum will explore these transfers of innovation and how they can serve recreational boating.

New sharing economy: transforming the boating model
Changing behaviors are inspiring new economic models based on sharing, renting, or subscription. Experts will analyze these trends and their potential to reinvent access to boating.

Motorization and decarbonization: which solutions for which uses?
Decarbonizing recreational boating is a major challenge that requires a detailed analysis of the available technologies: electric, hybrid, hydrogen, alternative fuels—not to mention retrofitting. The Forum will provide a clear overview of the solutions suited to each type of boating.

Harbors and infrastructure: accelerating the transition through services
Harbors are at the heart of the transformation of boating. The Forum will highlight initiatives that modernize infrastructure, facilitate electrification, support new uses, and improve the overall impact of the sector.

The low-carbon strategy of a mass-production boat builder
A highly anticipated presentation will outline an industrialist’s comprehensive approach: design, production, choice of materials, energy optimization, life cycles, and more. A concrete example of transition applied on a large scale.

Building, repairing, recycling: towards a more responsible industry
Eco-design, innovative materials, refit, circularity, and boat end-of-life will be at the heart of a session dedicated to the industrial changes needed to create a more sustainable industry.

Artificial intelligence and boating: a new era
An immersive masterclass will explore the growing role of AI in design, energy optimization, safety, maintenance, and user experience, heralding a new generation of onboard services and technologies.

The contribution of key witnesses
Renowned figures will share their vision, analyze the challenges, and provide a strategic perspective on the transformation of boating at the European and international levels.

A strategic event for an industry in transition

The Nice Boating Tomorrow Forum is a key event for all professionals who want to anticipate developments in the sector, enrich their vision, and discover the innovations that will shape the sustainable boating industry of tomorrow.
An unmissable event to understand, decide, be inspired… and actively participate in the transition of the boating industry.

Nice, a strategic location in the heart of the Mediterranean

Located in Nice, in the heart of the Mediterranean, the show benefits from a unique environment. The city embodies innovation, international openness, and a strong awareness of environmental issues: an ideal setting for an event focused on the ecological transition of the maritime sector. This strategic positioning allows the show to appeal to a wide audience, from yachting enthusiasts to professionals seeking new inspiration, as well as those involved in research, engineering, and energy transition.

Exploring technologies that are redefining boating

Nice Boating Tomorrow has been designed as a space for exploration. Visitors will be able to discover advances in new propulsion systems—electric, hydrogen, hybrid—sustainable materials, eco-design, port innovations, smart onboard systems, and connected navigation solutions.
The aim is to offer a clear and accessible overview of the technologies that are already shaping the future of boating, highlighting concrete projects, breakthrough innovations, and inspiring initiatives emerging in France and internationally.

An exhibition area focused on innovation

Whether on the water or on land, the show will bring together innovative brands, visionary manufacturers, and start-ups determined to accelerate the sector’s transition.
Visitors will be able to meet the teams, discover projects, and understand how these innovations are responding to growing expectations in terms of sustainability, performance, and new uses.

The Forum: a meeting point for ideas and visions

At the heart of the show, the Forum will serve as a laboratory of ideas. Over two days, international experts will discuss major topics such as energy transition, regulatory changes, port innovation, the sharing economy, low-carbon navigation, artificial intelligence applied to boating, sustainable construction, and much more.
The Forum will offer visitors an informed, accessible, and inspiring vision of the future of sustainable boating, while highlighting the most promising initiatives from France and around the world.

A place for meetings, inspiration, and collaboration

More than just a trade show, Nice Boating Tomorrow aims to become a platform for exchange, a source of inspiration, and a driving force for commitment for all those who wish to imagine a more respectful and resolutely forward-looking approach to boating. The innovations presented, the feedback shared, and the encounters generated during the event will contribute to a collective reflection on how the sector can evolve to meet user expectations and environmental requirements.

The inaugural edition marks a new chapter for sailing enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. In 2026, Nice will become the meeting point for emerging maritime technologies, sustainable initiatives, and visions that will shape the future of yachting.

Nice Boating Tomorrow 2026 invites you to enjoy an immersive and inspiring experience at the heart of the innovations that will transform boating for the long term.