Since I’m one of the lucky ones who has a job that puts me in touch with some of the most influential yacht designers, builders, brokers and owners in the world, I take my responsibility for sharing my insider insights of the yachting life—and all the people who make the yachting life possible—pretty seriously.

As a result, I love sharing stories of the all the talented artists, designers, craftsman—and welders and crane operators too—that work together to create some of the largest and most over-the-top superyachts in the world. And, lets face it, we’re all fascinated by the sheer size, style and stratospheric costs of the largest superyachts generate.

Yacht designers speak at the Experiential Yachting Forum

But the truth is many yacht owners and charterers care more about the unique experience of yachting—being able to spend safe and secure quality time with their families, experience places not many other people can visit, and relax in ways that are just not possible in even the most luxurious land-based resort—than the more stereotypical, attention-grabbing conspicuous consumption that the superyacht lifestyle is usually associated with.

So, I was excited when I first heard about the inaugural Experiential Yachting Forum that was designed to change the perception of yachting by showing how yachting can help make a difference to the world and to people’s lives in areas such ocean and human health, marine science, neuroscience, and philosophy as well as non-traditional areas such as the metaverse, NFT’s and artificial intelligence and virtual reality. And I was even more impressed when I attended the virtually attended the forum that was founded by Monaco-based yachting entrepreneur Maria Alekseenko Magan.

Experiential Yachting Forum founder Maria Alekseenko Magan

A passionate adventurer, Magan knows yachting from both sides: from her work in yachting as well as a charterer and yacht owner's family member. But, it was when a person close to her was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease, that she started to explore how yachts could be used to make positive impacts on health and therapy.

Using her background in philosophy, psychology, music and art, together with therapists, she’s already developed experiential therapy programs for yachts to help remedy health problems by facilitating a positive impact on the body and mind by using the power of the sea.

Experiential Yachting Forum gathered a collection of world-class speakers and partners

And she founded the Experiential Yachting Forum to help continue to expanding the positive perception of yachting. And better still, to help connect a new generation of potential yacht owners and charterers to the world’s yachting experts who can explain the alternative uses of superyachts that bring additional value and purpose to the use of a vessel for yacht owners, charterers and crew.

"The mission of the Experiential Yachting Forum was to change the perception of yachting and inspire people to see yachting from a different angle where purpose plays a main role in the decision-making process,” she said after the event.

“We are introducing a completely new business model, where the function of a yacht can go far beyond the usual use for vacation, relaxation or exploration. Changing the function of a yacht opens a totally new chapter in the industry and a new world far away from the shore.”

Sea Themed lunch inspired by Seaspiracy and My Octopus Teacher movies.

During the sold-out event at the Yacht Club de Monaco last month, experts from across the yachting industry discussed topics that included: holistic yachting, health and well-being, yacht building with purpose, immersive virtual reality and the metaverse, purposeful yacht ownership, the future of superyachts, environmental challenges, and the future of expedition yachting

"I am very proud that together with an amazing team, great moderators and visionary speakers and partners,” she adds. “It was all about energy, attitude, and bringing our community of like-minded forward-thinkers together to create a new vision for yachting.”

Paris Baloumis of Oceanco agreed. “It was refreshing to be part of an event that put experience at the front and center of the discussion,” he said. “The varied line-up of speakers -including many new faces who gave insight into the possibilities for our industry’s evolution - was dynamic and thought provoking. It was also positive to explore the ways that yachts can provide a meaningful contribution to the wider world, beyond those cruising onboard.”