The Marche Yachting and Cruising Association recently hosted over 20 global media including Yacht Style for the 2025 edition of ‘Il Bello e Ben Fatto – Made in Marche’. Translating as ‘The Beautiful and Well Crafted’, the event promotes the yacht building industry in the Marche region, which is located on Italy’s Adriatic coast and includes Ancona, Mondolfo and Fano among its boatbuilding hubs.

Across two days of presentations, meetings and shipyard visits between Fano and Ancona, the event focused on the region’s yacht-building heritage and entrepreneurial excellence “with the aim of enhancing a sector that brings together craftsmanship, design, innovation and high-end tourism”, organisers stated.

On the first day, the Sala della Concordia at the Fano City Hall hosted a roundtable discussion among institutions, entrepreneurs and representatives of local shipyards, including Adria Sail, Cantiere Rossini, Italia Yachts, Nerea Yachts, Pershing, Silent Yachts and Wider. Key themes of the debate included the future of ports and infrastructure, the need for productive spaces, dredging, luxury nautical tourism, and education and training.

Among the participants were Luca Serfilippi, Mayor of Fano; Stefano Aguzzi, Regional Councillor for Labour; Vincenzo Garofalo, President of the Port Authority; Marco D’Orazio, UnivPM Pro-Rector; and Donatella D’Amico, Regional School Office Director. Each emphasised the importance of a joint commitment to sustainable, synergic development, starting with the younger generations.

On the second day, a talk show was held at the brand-new Fano Marine Center and hosted by Manuela Moreno, a RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana) journalist and television presenter. The event featured some of the most influential figures in Marche and Italian entrepreneurship, who shared insights on strategic vision, regional identity and the future of their industries.

Tilli Antonelli, the innovative mind behind Pershing, based in Mondolfo, recalled his early days in regattas with Raul Gardini and the Moro di Venezia, and later his first boatyard venture with two friends. He stressed the need for bold, creative thinking to shape the future of yachting in Marche.

Federica Cantori of Cantori Spa praised the richness of local craftsmanship, powered by “golden hands and hearts of 20-year-olds”, while warning that these skills risk being lost if not passed on. Francesco Casoli of Elica highlighted the importance of building strong entrepreneurial ecosystems based on collaboration, listening and humility.

Michele Bernetti of Umani Ronchi urged local entrepreneurs to overcome parochialism, broaden their horizons, and raise the perceived value of their products.

Gian Luca Gregori, Rector of the Marche Polytechnic University, presented the ‘Marche model’ as a successful example of synergy between institutions, academia and business, noting progress made in educational offerings and international attractiveness.

Marina Santucci, Director of Agenzia Turismo ed Internazionale Marche (ATIM) – the Marche Agency for Tourism and Internationalisation – reiterated the importance of ongoing promotion and building a network of authentic ambassadors to tell the story of the region.

In addition to attending the forums, guests enjoyed tours of three Ancona shipyards – Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard, Cantiere delle Marche and Palumbo Superyachts – where they had the chance to see yachts under construction, in delivery or already launched.

At the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard, the event opened with remarks from Giovanni Zinni, Ancona’s Deputy Mayor; Andrea Maria Antonini, Regional Councillor for Economic Development; and Stefania Bussoletti, Regional Economic Development Department Director. Each emphasised how yachting can drive regional growth through the integration of craftsmanship, innovation and quality tourism.

“It was a valuable opportunity to show the world the strength of Marche’s manufacturing sector and its ability to foster strong public-private partnerships,” organisers stated.

“Il Bello e Ben Fatto – Made in Marche proved that Marche has all the right ingredients to become a key player in the international yachting scene. It has the infrastructure to develop, skills to enhance, a dynamic and united entrepreneurial network, and a strong identity that still needs to be fully told.”

Conceived and promoted by the Marche Yachting and Cruising Association, the event was supported by ATIM (Agenzia Turismo ed Internazionale Marche), Municipality of Fano and Central Adriatic Port Authority, under the patronage of RAI.

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