The blue innovation dock will be held at the boot Düsseldorf, Germany from 17-25 January 2026. It will provide a platform for political representatives, industry participants, researchers and water sports participants to discuss developments in marinas, boating and nautical tourism.
The programme will include panel sessions, interviews, keynote presentations and demonstrations covering marina infrastructure, nautical tourism, competitive sailing, digital technologies, AI applications, design, retrofitting and circular materials. These sessions aim to explore trends and innovations shaping the European boating sector.
Petros Michelidakis, Director of boot Düsseldorf, said: “The blue innovation dock is the established presentation and networking platform for the maritime industry. It shows that boot brings together all the trades responsible for a functioning economy and an agile water sports industry at one time and in one place. This is where demands on European politics are manifested, visions are presented and exciting technologies are showcased. We can look forward to nine days of intensive knowledge and expertise transfer in Hall 10.”
Boot Düsseldorf attracts over 200,000 visitors from more than 100 countries. The event spans 22 hectares across Halls 1 to 17 and features a range of vessels and water sports equipment, including stage programmes, workshops and hands-on sessions.
Political participants are expected to include Members of the European Parliament Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann and Andreas Schwab, representatives of the European Commission, including Andreea Staicu, Head of the Tourism Sector, and senior national politicians.
The event will open with a keynote address by David Foulkes, CEO of Brunswick Corporation, who will be interviewed on stage by Marcus Krall. Additional speakers include Dr. Prof. Phil Klaus from the International University of Monaco, Prof. Felix Leach from the University of Oxford, Lea Jordan from the travel and hospitality sector, and Julia Minici from Afterwind.
The consumer programme will include marine specialists and participants such as Emily Penn, Lukas Haitzmann, Boris Herrmann and André Wirsig, along with organisations such as SailGP and GEOMAR.
The Beneteau Group, Brunswick Corporation and San Lorenzo are listed as main partners of the event and will participate in sessions across the nine days.
Robert Marx, President of the European Boating Industry, said: “The blue innovation dock has become a strategic platform where the most important discussions in our industry take place. Together with boot Düsseldorf, we are strengthening the bridge between industry and politics and helping to lead the European boat industry on a more sustainable, competitive and future-proof path. This collaboration enables us to showcase innovations, strengthen the industry’s priorities at the European level and ensure that the voices of businesses, marinas, manufacturers, water sports enthusiasts and environmental leaders are heard. By bringing all these players together under one roof, we are shaping concrete solutions that will shape the development of the boating ecosystem for years to come.”
The full programme for the blue innovation dock 2026 will be published in early December.
Images courtesy of boot Düsseldorf.
