Enhanced Beverage-Themed Events at 2023 USVI Charter Yacht Show, November 11-14 – Veuve Clicquot & Grey Goose Vodka Official Beverage Sponsors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 12, 2023

Enhanced Beverage-Themed Events at 2023 USVI Charter Yacht Show, November 11-14 – Veuve Clicquot & Grey Goose Vodka Official Beverage Sponsors

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. New for 2023, a broker-judged mixology competition, taste testings and training, and pop-up bar cocktail socials offer quality time for charter brokers and yacht crews to network at the USVI Charter Yacht Show, set for November 11-14 at IGY’s Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas. The Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA) is pleased to announce that Veuve Clicquot Champagne, distributed locally by Bellows International, and Grey Goose Vodka, supplied by the West Indies Company, are the show’s official headline beverage sponsors. It’s the USVI Charter Yacht Show’s four days of incredible opportunities to see and be seen that makes the event a must-do for yacht crews and brokers alike.

Photo: Brokers will be invited to judge the Mixology Competition in 2023. Credit: Mango Media.

Register Now!

Yachts that register (usviyachtshow.org/register/) by July 1, 2023, receive a 20% off Early Bird discount. Plus, IGY’s Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas is offering exhibiting yachts an Early Bird berthing rate of $1.65 per foot per day from November 5-18, 2023, if paid before August 1.

Brokers can also register at usviyachtshow.org/register/. The Show is FREE for VIPCA member brokers, a great deal as VIPCA membership offers additional year-round benefits including advertising opportunities and the latest industry updates, plus supports the association’s USVI marine tourism, marine infrastructure, and marine vocational training work. Brokers can receive a discounted rate of $244 per night on accommodations at Bluebeard’s Castle by booking by phone and giving the discount code ‘VIPCA Yacht Show’. A daily shuttle service will offer easy access to and from the marina.

“There are so many new yachts and crews. So many choices for a broker to book. The USVI show is an opportunity for a yacht and crew to showcase their strengths. I am always going to give priority to a yacht that I have seen at the shows,” says Trish Cronin, president of Denaud, FL-based Ocean Getaways Yacht Charters.

The tremendous growth of the U.S. Virgin Islands fleet is one reason Cronin will be back to walk the docks and visit the showing yachts this fall.

What’s New – Enhanced Beverage-Themed Events

Yacht brokers are invited to participate in judging the show’s Mixology Competition, set for Friday, November 11 from 5-6 p.m. during the Carnival Welcome Ceremony. Grey Goose Vodka and Captain Morgan Rum (original spiced or dark) are the competition’s signature beverages. At the same place and time, Bellows and West Indies will host a tasting testing and new mixology training that features four of each distributor’s brands. Included in this will be the three new flavors of Grey Goose: Strawberry & Lemongrass, White Peach & Rosemary, and Watermelon & Basil.

There will be Grey Goose, Captain Morgan, and Veuve Clicquot Pop-Up Bars, plus brewery Pop-Up Bars featuring the Virgin Islands Leatherback Brewing Company’s sustainably produced ales, lagers, and IPAs and St. John Brewers’ tropical flavored craft beer.

Photo: Mariah Princess III First Mate Simeon Korfanty Serves Guests Champagne. Courtesy Mariah Princess III.

The cork will pop on the Veuve Clicquot for a champagne toast at the show’s Awards Ceremony on November 14 from 5-8 p.m. A bottle of Veuve Clicquot will be presented to each yacht show winner.

“West Indies Company and Bellows International are proud to have long supported the U.S. Virgin Islands charter yacht industry and sponsored the USVI Charter Yacht Show by supplying premium branded beverages,” says Amy Campbell, vice president of strategic initiatives for Leeward Islands Management Company.

Sneak Peek @ Who’s Attending

Nearly 70 yachts, both power and sail, with professional crews, showed to over 160 brokers from over 100 charter businesses in the Caribbean, U.S., and Europe last year. Organizers anticipate a similar participation this year.

Mariah Princess III, a 77’ Lagoon with standout features like the master stateroom balcony and aft deck jacuzzi, is one of the fleet of entries registered for the 2023 show.

Photo: Mariah Princess III. Courtesy Mariah Princess.

The quality of the crew, the intimate knowledge of the Virgin Islands, the endless toys from E-Foils to complete SCUBA diving on board all play a factor in why Mariah Princess III will have completed 18 charters this past season along with the chance for the brokers to step onboard the yacht and view her at the shows,” says Kerry Hucul, yacht manager, H20 Yachts, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL. “The level of service onboard includes a high budget for liquor on charter and the service of champagne and signature infused cocktails.”

People love the all-inclusive element of a yacht charter,” adds Ocean Getaways’ Cronin. “Very few other vacations include an open bar. Plus, I’ve noticed that some guests will choose crew that have a keen knowledge of wine selection and pairings,” adds Ocean Getaways’ Cronin.

Strong Sponsor Support

Sponsors of the USVI Charter Yacht Show include the USVI Department of Tourism; Yacht Haven Grande; IGY Marinas; the Gowrie Group representing Trawick and Cigna; Parts & Power Ltd., distributor of Northern Lights; Mango Media; Cardow Jewelers; Offshore Marine; Catamaran Central; Grey Goose, distributed by West Indies Company; Veuve Clicquot and Captain Morgan, distributed by Bellows International; VIYA Business Solutions; ZUP; Harbor Shoppers; Seachange; and, the Charter Yacht Broker Association.

For more information about the USVI Charter Yacht Show, visit usviyachtshow.org For information about VIPCA and its programs, visit www.VIPCA.org, Email: info@vipca.org, or call (340) 642-0656

ABOUT VIPCA

VIPCA is the territory’s 501(c)(6) non-profit marine association, whose purpose is to preserve, protect and promote the charter yacht sector of the U.S. Virgin Islands marine industry and the businesses that sustain them. VIPCA’s focus is multi-faceted and includes offering membership benefits such as access to health and hull P&I insurance; sharing pertinent and timely industry updates and information; producing a Marine Directory of marine vendors and services; promoting USVI marine charter tourism; liaising with USVI, BVI, and PR to assist in cooperative efforts; seeking relevant official rulings from Customs and Border Protection (CBP); developing USVI marine infrastructure, including moorings; providing compliance guidance for mariners and vessels; and providing marine vocational training for USVI youth under VIPCA’s charity, the Marine Rebuild Fund, which is fiscally sponsored by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI.net). www.VIPCA.org

Media Contact:

Carol Bareuther

Media, USVI Charter Yacht Show

Tel: 340-998-3650

Email: bareuther@earthlink.net

Skype: Carol.Bareuther

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