CRC Meeting Minutes January 2025

Hello IYBA Members - in our continuing efforts to keep our members updated with the


INTERNATIONAL YACHT BROKERS ASSOCIATION

CHARTER RETAIL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA

Wednesday January 15, 2025

 

In attendance: Heather Krebs, Melanie Burke, Sharon Bahmer, Barbara Landeweer, Janet Bloomfield, Bob Saxon, Amy Wachmann, Agnes Howard

Staff: Paul Flannery, Wendy Dobson

 

1. Recap Antigua show

·      Good show, A lot to see

·      Reports on safety issues, police presence didn’t make it feel safer

·      Brokers were being approached for money leaving it feel uneasy

·      Possibly reach out to organizers to address the issue

2. IYBA Annual Member Meeting

·      Scheduled for January 23rd at Farmers Table

3. BCYS

·      Many Catamarans – not the market of interest – possibly mostly local

·      Very few Brokers attending

·      First time Fraser Monaco broker attending

·      More communication is necessary to better understand and act on. Hard for Managers to push owners when there is little traffic.

·      Some feedback revealed that there are no bookings for Bahamas, clients want to go where the there is no VAT. Many clients are looking into BVI’s.

·      New Croatia show has come on strong to support where demand and markets are.

·      Rising costs in flights are a factor in destination choices

4. Winter bookings - forecast for 2025?

·      Calendars filling up

5. Replacement for Trish

·      Trish is confirmed as resigned from committee

·      Should we focus on a European broker? International community has gained traction.

·      Paul deferred to the committee to look to someone who is an independent with a European flare.

·      Committee will email recommended names to Heather, who will compile the list and then take a vote at the next monthly meeting.

6. Crew guidelines

·      Bob will be presenting Gratuities White Paper at the IYBA/MYBA Summit, Monaco, May 16, 2025.

·      Bob will write the document, ask for committee review, invite some for the panel segment in Monaco.

·      Captain(s) feedback has been reasonable, siding with brokers and managers. 150+ survey responses have come in and will be organized and shared prior to publishing.

·      Possibly IYBA to host a preview webinar to explain details and address the broker(s) compensation misunderstandings.

·      Reports of CA’s reaching out to the broker to request more money from their client.

 

7. Open discussion  Charter Retail Committee (CRC) meetings please find our January 2025 meeting minutes.