Cannes Yachting Festival 2020: Organizers question client participation in letter to exhibitors

By Katia Damborsky 18 August 2020

In light of new COVID-19 safety measures and travel restrictions enforced by the French government, the organizers of the Cannes Yachting Festival are taking stock of the situation and have asked for crucial insight from exhibitors about clients' willingness and ability to attend.

Still set to take place between 8 - 13 September between Cannes' Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto, the Cannes Yachting Festival is now facing a decision about the feasibility of the show if clients are unable or unwilling to attend.

It comes after France extended its ban on gatherings of more than 5,000 people and the quarantine-free air corridor between France and England was scrapped last week.

Yesterday (August 17), the organizing body Reed sent out a private letter to exhibitors, stating; "You and your organizations have direct and exclusive relationships with your customers and potential customers, which allow you to have a clear vision of their intention to come to Cannes. "

"We would like to ask your opinion once again, to find out if, in the current context, you are in favor or unfavorable to the conduct of the boat show. "

woman stands on the deck of a yacht in cannes during the boat show

We would like to ask your opinion once again, to find out if, in the current context, you are in favor or unfavorable to the conduct of the boat show.

The letter states that Reed has been in discussion with local authorities about making the boat show exempt from the national ban on gatherings of more than 5,000 people.

Regardless of this decision, organizers have stated that 'actual participation of visitors' is the most important factor pertaining to the feasibility of the show.

little blue tender on the water during cannes yachting festival 2019

The full letter can be found below;

"Dear Exhibitor,

The latest announcements by the French government regarding the ban on organizing events targeting more than 5,000 people, and the quarantine measures decided by the UK, have raised many questions about the actual opening of the Cannes Yachting Festival.

As allowed by the new French law, as organizers of the show, we asked the prefect in charge of the Cannes region for an exemption. Regardless of this administrative decision, however, the most important thing to understand is the actual participation of visitors in the exhibition.

You and your organizations have direct and exclusive relationships with your customers and potential customers, which allow you to have a clear vision of their intention to come to Cannes. We would therefore like to ask, once again, your opinion, to find out if, in the current context, you are in favor or unfavorable to the conduct of the boat show.

Important detail: a negative opinion will not be considered as a request to renounce participation on your part and, in the event of cancellation of the show, all the provisions set out in our letters of 1 and 30 June 2020 will apply.

We will try to contact you by phone during the day, but you can also reply directly by email.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation."