The International Superyacht Society was
founded to serve and represent the large yacht industry worldwide
and remains the sole organization dedicated to that end. Society
members are individuals and companies well known for their leadership
and dedication to raising the standards of design construction,
maintenance, repair and operation of large yachts. Northrop
& Johnson is proud to be a member and to have an active
involvement by its employees as well.
Founded in 1989, the Society is a not-for-profit organization
with an elected Board of Directors that guides the Society’s
activities, which include the International Superyacht Design
Awards program, The International Superyacht Society Leadership
Awards. ISS also publishes a newsletter to serve as a voice
for industry issues and individual opinions, and educational
programs. N&J BVI participates in these events and is committed
to maintaining the highest standard in yachts, and broker knowledge
and awareness of these amazing vessels.
Currently ISS conducts educational programs at four venues on two continents including open forums such as symposia, informal gatherings and round-tables. It is an ISS priority to foster dialogue among its members and others in the large yacht segment of the marine industry, leading to the strengthening and growth of the business. Northrop & Johnson supports the ISS databases under development which include a compendium of industry resources and updates on regulatory and other issues.
In 2009, the International Superyacht Society (ISS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary as the overarching professional organization to serve and represent the large yacht industry at the global level. While its core initiatives have and continue to be standards, education, representation and recognition, during the last several years, the Society’s Board of Directors—a virtual who’s who of the industry’s leaders—have worked to identify key issues that face the industry with key strategies the Society can spearhead.
Through a mandate to support the global enterprise that is superyachting, ISS helps its members feel connected to each other in an increasingly sophisticated marketplace. Currently, top management of more than 80% of the major companies in the megayacht industry now participates in ISS.
“The strength of our organization is that we are comprised of executives from all aspects of the industry from regional trade associations to builders, project managers, media, professional services, vessels and crew. Each of these members reflects the needs and mandates of their constituencies.
“For example, my own organization, Superyacht Base Australia
(SYBA) is an association member of the ISS. SYBA has over 300
members in Australia employing some two thousand people who
benefit from SYBA being a member of the Society,” says Cushion.
“While it’s not feasible (or in some cases practical) for all
of them to be individual members, their individual concerns
are being represented as I carry the welfare of our industry
into board rooms here at home, in America, Germany, France and
other global destinations.”
In its efforts to understand the complexities of quite literally
a worldwide business that caters to the most sophisticated customer,
ISS’s membership has made clear the need for a practical and
meaningful business practices. At its recent membership meetings
(which are held at key events throughout the world and an annual
meeting that is held on the Wednesdays prior to the opening
of the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show), the Society
has presented its draft code. Efforts at the board and committee
level are well underway to finalize the guidelines.
More, and with an imminent announcement in the works, ISS continues to refine its awards and recognition programs. Over recent years, others in the large yacht industry have sought to reproduce similar events, however only the ISS can claim complete impartiality in its judging of the finest superyachts created and built annually and worldwide. No other organization producing awards programs has results steeped in peer review and membership selection. In the case of ISS’s International Design Awards, membership alone makes the decision regarding finalists.
The Society also recognizes leadership with several different
awards which are presented annually along with its yacht design
acknowledgment. ISS’s honours are presented to unique individuals
(as well as teams) that include Leadership, Lifetime Achievement,
Distinguished Crew and President’s awards. The industry itself
nominates the candidates.
With mandates directed solely by the influence of the membership
they represent (and who in fact vote them into office), ISS’s
board of directors is also grappling with one of the most critical
issues to face the industry: namely, a dearth of entry level
crew. Beginning last fall with a restructured crew seminar series
that featured both a mini job fair as well as teambuilding,
ISS continues to forge relationships and outreach programs far
and wide in order to attract interest in crewing and related
services careers in the yachting industry.
