- The 2019 Monaco Yacht Show kicked off on September 25, bringing an estimated 30,000 attendees to Monaco, a tiny yet lavishly wealthy city-state on the French Riviera.
- More than $4.3 billion worth of yachts were on display at the yacht show.
- I got into the inaugural gala held the evening before the yacht show kick-off, where about 350 guests made up of yacht brokerages, superyacht builder CEOs, yacht owners and prospective buyers, and other VIP guests of the show gathered at the Monaco Yacht Club overlooking Port Hercules.
- The night began with a superyacht awards ceremony, followed by a lavish party with free-flowing Champagne, decadent food - from on-demand ravioli and risotto to sashimi and cheese platters - and live music.
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The Monaco Yacht Show kicked off on September 25, drawing an estimated 30,000 people from around the world to the tiny city-state on the French Riviera.
These attendees are yachting industry insiders - including superyacht builders, designers, and brokers - as well as wealthy private clients looking to tour, charter, or purchase yachts.
The night before the show kicked off, a select group of about 350 VIP guests was invited to an inaugural gala held at the Monaco Yacht Club overlooking the more than $4.3 billion worth of yachts docked in Port Hercules.
There were about 350 people in attendance, including superyacht builder CEOs, yacht brokerage companies, yacht owners and prospective buyers and charter customers, and other VIP guests, according to Johan Pizzardini, the communications and media manager for the Monaco Yacht Show.
I got an invite to the exclusive event - here's what it was like.