Webinar: Charter Destination Update by IYBA

Presenters

Bob Saxon

IYBA President - Moderator

Bob Saxon has realized four decades in the megayacht marketplace during which time he has participated in virtually every aspect of the industry including sales, charter, crewing and yacht management within the international megayacht profession. He is founding and four term President of the International Superyacht Society (ISS), currently President of the International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA), and recipient of the coveted ISS “Lifetime Achievement Award”. Bob was inducted into the International Charter Brokers “Hall-of-Fame” in 2019. Both of these awards are in acknowledgement of his collective body of work for and on behalf of the yachting industry-at-large. Bob is a frequent public speaker, emcee and moderator at numerous industry forums on behalf of the yachting industry-at-large.

Joseph Dargavage

Managing Partner at Romora Bay Resort and Marina

Joe is the Managing Partner of the iconic Romora Bay Resort & Marina, the premier marina destination in Harbour Island, Bahamas. With its 50 slips, Romora caters to vessels up to 190 feet, and has become a top charter destination in the Bahamas. Romora boast’s an award winning resort with two of Harbour Islands’ top restaurants.

In addition, Joe is the Founder and Partner of United Island and Yacht in Fort Lauderdale, whom along with its sister company in Nassau, United Shipping, forms one of the top yacht agency organization in our region. United Island & Yacht offers agency and shore support to superyachts entering the region. Their service’s include but are not limited to: U.S. customs & immigration clearance, U.S. B1B2 Visa’s, provisioning, Bahamian Visa’s, Bahamas charter inspection & fees, itinerary planning, and bunkering. United has offices in Fort Lauderdale Fl., Nassau, and Harbour Island, Bahamas.

During his career, Joe has achieved great recognition from many business groups in Florida, as well as the Bahamian Ministry of Tourism. He is an active member of the U.S. Super Yacht Association, Florida Yacht Brokers Association, Bahamas Super Yacht Association, the Bahamas Tourism Advisory Board, the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association, and is currently the Vice President of the Association of Bahamas Marinas.

Nicolas Valin

Director Charter & Sales

Nicolas Valin

Nicolas Valin was “programmed” to work in the yachting industry, thanks to a father who pioneered the yacht charter business in the Caribbean in the late 1960s, a childhood spent in the French West Indies and a lifelong passion for sailing.
After obtaining a Master’s in Marketing, Nicolas spent 15 years working for three nautical world leaders: in the bareboat charter business with The Moorings, in yacht brokerage with Fraser, and in yacht building with Azimut Yachts. In 2005, he launched the Azimut Charter Club in Monaco, laying the foundations of what would become Neo Yachting in 2009. Nicolas is also a partner of Equinoxe Yachts International since 2017. Under the 2 brands, Nicolas Valin leads a team of professionals offering a wide array of services in Yachting, placing the client in the center of his organization.

Oriel Blake

Executive Director of VIPCA

Oriel Blake is the Executive Director of VIPCA, the marine advocacy non-profit of the U.S. Virgin Islands. VIPCA provides one voice to promote continued growth and strength of the charter industry in the Virgin Islands. It is the owner and organizer of the annual USVI Charter Yacht Show, runs an annual Marine Apprenticeship training to train young Virgin Islanders to become captains, and has facilitated freedom of passage between the USVI, Puerto Rico and its neighboring islands for charter. VIPCA is also implementing a territory-wide moorings installation program. Oriel is founder of the Governor’s Marine Taskforce and works closely with the Governor’s office and the Government’s various departments. Prior to VIPCA, Oriel was chief-officer of an 149ft barquentine and chief instructor of a RYA sailing center. She holds the Ocean Yachtmaster Captain 200-ton license, and is certified as a RYA Yachtmaster Instructor and PADI Dive Instructor.