History of METS

METS, now universally acknowledged as the world’s leading leisure marine trade event, was first held in 1988 as a unique showcase for trade-only visitors to learn about new and proven marine products.

Growing interest
Strong interest was present from the start, with the first ever METS attracting 117 exhibitors. International interest was also strong as exhibitors came from 12 countries and the first two of the show’s trademark national pavilions – for the UK and the USA – were established.

Within five years METS had grown to 520 exhibitors, three-quarters of whom came from outside the Netherlands, and had seven further national pavilions (Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Finland, France, the Netherlands and Canada). By year ten (1997), Germany and Norway had set up pavilions and exhibitors numbered 700 (80% from overseas).

In 2002, as METS turned 15, the exhibitor level was 830 and, appropriately, there were 15 national pavilions as Turkey, Australia, New Zealand and Spain had by this time signed up. The 2002 event also saw the establishment of specialist equipment pavilions with the advent of the Marina Pavilion. In 2003, the Composite Pavilion was added and, in 2005, the SuperYacht Pavilion.

In 2008, METS attracted over 1,210 exhibitors from 36 countries.

Extra focus
While METS grew as an exhibition, it also broadened its value as an industry forum by running seminars, conferences and introducing the DAME – Design Award METS.

The DAME, now viewed as the leading competition for marine product design and innovation, was first held in 1991 and is awarded annually to the best designed product at METS. Over the years it has attracted an increasingly high level of entries making it the most prestigious and competitive award in the industry.

METS has also been the venue for leading marine conferences such as the HISWA International Yacht Design & Construction Symposium, ICOMIA’s Marine/Technology Conference, marina and composite seminars and, now, in association with its growing SuperYacht Pavilion – the Global SuperYacht Forum.

More space
AS METS has grown, space at the RAI halls, Amsterdam, has been at a premium. From 1994 onwards, METS took over the Park Hall in addition to the Delta and Holland halls to accommodate 600 plus exhibitors but the biggest change arose in 2005 when the entire event moved to the bigger Europa complex at RAI. This offered an extra 5,000 sq m of space for over 1,100 exhibitors, including some from the show’s waiting list.

Industry support
METS owes much to the ongoing support of marine industry associations around the world and, in particular our partner, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA). It is a member of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO).