Being part of the boating industry means I get to call some pretty amazing people friends. Alberto Sonino is one of those friends. As an owner of a marina in Venice with an extraordinary history of creating a now idyllic environment from a wasteland, to stories of organising the boats for the James Bond movie Casino Royale scenes set in Venice - Alberto has some stories many would love to hear, and so it is great to share them here with you in this interview.

Our chat took place at the METSTRADE show in 2024 - probably one of the best events for networking - alongside the WORLD MARINAS CONFERENCE of which he is one of the main organisers this year. The World Marinas Conference is an event anyone can attend - and it's always not only a great way to catch up with marina owners and operators from all over the world, but every location loves to "show off" their location to it's best - so can you imagine what Alberto and the Venice team will put together? I can't wait to see. See you there in October folks.

For more information on the World Marinas Conference and to book go to:

https://www.worldmarinasconference.com/

For more information on Alberto's marina go to:

https://www.veneziacertosamarina.it/en/

Major Sponsors of The World Marinas Conference include:

https://www.d-marin.com/en/

https://www.ferrettigroup.com/en-us/

Interviewing Michele J Goldsmith is like gaining wise knowledge from a woman with such an array of world experience that you feel enlightened by the end of it. Michele has been in the boating industry for so long it is part of her identity. From working with intricate necessary boating products to being a superstar of the boating industry media world, her journey has been, as in all boating industry ones, varied and interesting. During this time she has gained substantial awards for her contribution to industry, gathered deep data that helps us all see what the future holds in the boating industry, and even visited Everest. Yet through it all her continuous drive, grace, and considered conversation has been a beacon for many women in this industry to look up to, be guided by and be grateful for. Michele has organised, and still does, some amazing female dominated events at key industry events like Miami Boat Show and METSTRADE and each one is attended by an abundance of women looking to hear, as usual, the positive messages she gives about what we can do, and what we can achieve. I am lucky enough to count Michele as a friend. Lunch with her is always filled with inspiration, determination and a generosity of spirit to see others rise that is a rare and very special quality not everyone possesses, but radiates in droves from Michele.

There are some fascinating stats in this podcast....make sure you listen to it right to the end.

Darling, thank you so much for your friendship and this interview I hope everyone enjoys our chat. #boatingindustry #boating

If you are going to Miami Boat Show you can book for her event (which features as a guest speaker one of my other absolute favourites, also a dear friend, in the industry Michelle Hildyard of Raymarine)

BOOK HERE

You can find Michele here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-j-goldsmith-55a2b86/

Thanks dear listeners I really appreciate you ears

Please review the podcast and help us reach more and more and thus share more and more knowledge, inspiration and incredible people in our boating industry and beyond to hopefully have them join us

Josie Eastman was pulled into the boating industry by a family that believed she would bring a fresh and modern approach to it, and along with her strong organisational skills, business management training and team management abilities she hasn't looked back. Winning the Rising Star Award at the Raymarine Boat Builder Awards in Amsterdam in 2023 really put her Australian boat brand "Edencraft" on the world map which is her goal - to make Edencraft a world distributed brand. These strong and able to handle Australian conditions boats are based on an original hull design the story of which includes drug cartels and murder intrigue. It's a boat brand grown men aspire to and even shed a tear for. Listen as I explore with Josie her career trajectory and her passion for a brand that she holds with great pride and ambition to truly bring to all of those that have a love for fishing all over the world. There are some great marketing tips for all boat businesses (how to get kids hounding their parents to buy boats) and some truly inspirational moments for all women looking to enter or further their career in the boating industry in this podcast.

The image for this Podcast is Josie to the left then Lisa Blair middle and myself on the right and just some of the amazing women at our networking event at Sydney Boat Show Thanks to Shadow Superyacht and Chapman Yachting.

Photo Credit: Rising Tide Films/Mulpha Events

For more details on Edencraft see:

https://www.edencraft.com.au/

If you would like to connect with The Boat Princess and enquire about being on the podcast or sponsoring one of our events you can connect with me here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicky-vaux-the-boat-princess-04014530/