By now, you are well-versed in the presence of USSA around the United States. But wait, there’s more. USSA and our members extend well beyond our borders. We have a presence at the biggies like METS and Monaco, but we are looking at growing markets like Asia.
That was exactly the motivation for my recent trip to Busan, South Korea to speak on behalf of the $6 billion Superyacht industry that is organized under the USSA brand. The trip-of-a-lifetime was a quick one (about three days and an 11-hour flight each way) but the connections with their influencers like the city’s mayor and governor, as well as their academics, will position us nicely as this market continues to emerge.
What was remarkable about this experience is that Busan and their boat show organizers reached out to USSA to speak about the large-boat segment and boating in general in the United States. Yes, we aspire to serve as that voice nationally and internationally but when Kitty fields calls like “Can USSA represent American boating at a prestigious event?” then you know that USSA has the momentum and notoriety in place that so many of us value.
While it was a whirlwind experience, I had several key takeaways. First, according to the experts, there is a nice analogy between where our country was with wealth and our population after World War II. As Americans made more money, we bought nicer things (like boats!). That same pattern is now happening in South Korea. Second, I was struck by Busan’s modernity. Speaking with someone from the Gates Foundation, South Korea was doing things ten years ago that the world’s-largest foundation is just now adopting. Lastly, their spirit of hospitality and respect for elders was unlike anything I have ever seen.
If given the opportunity to spend time in Korea, jump at it. They are eager to embrace our culture, our boats and our lifestyle.
That was exactly the motivation for my recent trip to Busan, South Korea to speak on behalf of the $6 billion Superyacht industry that is organized under the USSA brand. The trip-of-a-lifetime was a quick one (about three days and an 11-hour flight each way) but the connections with their influencers like the city’s mayor and governor, as well as their academics, will position us nicely as this market continues to emerge.
What was remarkable about this experience is that Busan and their boat show organizers reached out to USSA to speak about the large-boat segment and boating in general in the United States. Yes, we aspire to serve as that voice nationally and internationally but when Kitty fields calls like “Can USSA represent American boating at a prestigious event?” then you know that USSA has the momentum and notoriety in place that so many of us value.
While it was a whirlwind experience, I had several key takeaways. First, according to the experts, there is a nice analogy between where our country was with wealth and our population after World War II. As Americans made more money, we bought nicer things (like boats!). That same pattern is now happening in South Korea. Second, I was struck by Busan’s modernity. Speaking with someone from the Gates Foundation, South Korea was doing things ten years ago that the world’s-largest foundation is just now adopting. Lastly, their spirit of hospitality and respect for elders was unlike anything I have ever seen.
If given the opportunity to spend time in Korea, jump at it. They are eager to embrace our culture, our boats and our lifestyle.
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