It’s time for one of The Triton’s biggest events of the year, the spring edition of the Triton Expo, this year held on Wednesday (April 17) from 5-8 p.m. at West Marine Pro in Fort Lauderdale. Over 50 companies have signed on to showcase their goods and services for yacht captains and crew, we’ll add a little music and some casual nibbles, and we’ll have some great networking.
This low-key, free trade show typically attracts more than 750 captains, crew and industry professionals. It’s one of the strongest networking events in the industry.
Until then, learn a little more about The Triton from Publisher Lucy Reed, including how to get the most out of attending the Triton Expo.
Q. What is The Triton?
The Triton is a monthly news magazine produced for the professional captains and crew who run luxury yachts. I’m a journalist by training and experience, with about 16 years at daily and weekly newspapers around South Florida before starting The Triton in 2004. So it was natural for me to report on the men and women who run luxury yachts as the group of professionals they are. We cover topics and issues that are important to them in the day-to-day running of their vessels and in the longer focus of their careers.
Q. How does the Triton Expo fit into that?
The Triton Expo is an extension of the regular networking events we host every month. It fits into our vision of giving captains and crew the tools they need to manage their day-to-day jobs as well as their careers by exposing them to quality companies that can help them in both of those areas.
We’ve been hosting the Triton Expo twice a year for 11 years now, and it’s evolved into a really powerful event for crew and companies to meet each other. A captain once told me it’s like a boat show for crew, only without the boats.
Q. But why do it? What’s the point?
Networking. We see The Triton as a conduit for communication. Yes, we fill our pages with great information and tools to help captains and crew manage their jobs and careers. But we also provide a forum for them to meet each other.
The most powerful way to build a professional network is for crew to meet their peers, other yachties going through similar life and career phases. So much of this industry is accomplished through word-of-mouth, so we want to encourage our guests to never stop building a professional network of contacts for jobs, advice, tips, referrals and just camaraderie.
Q. How can captains and crew get the most out of the event?
All our readers are welcome to join us at the Triton Expo on April 17 from 5-8 p.m. at West Marine Pro, 2401 S. Andrews Ave. in Fort Lauderdale (33316). No need to RSVP; just bring business cards and a smile so you can meet some new people.