Las Palmas 2022 Conference Programme & Session Catch Up

FACILITATOR: Alan James

SPEAKERS: Vanessa Mori, Magda Makowska, Ran Van Der Vurst, Kris Von Wald, Erin Short

This session will firstly give an overview of the new Anchor Port Scheme which is being launched by Sail Training International.

It will then look at future events including an introduction to the Tall Ships Races 2204 and confirmation of the Tall Ships Races 2025. We will also confirm the sea area for the Tall Ships Races in 2026 and the dates of the bidding process.

Finally, our colleagues from Tall Ships America will update the audience on the plans for the America250 series of events which they are working on.

About the speakers

Vanessa is the Commercial Director for Sail Training International. Following a career in international book publishing, whilst on a sabbatical Vanessa discovered the word of sailing and never looked back. She qualified as RYA Yachtmaster, which then took her to the Eastern Mediterranean for a few years where she enjoyed working as a charter yacht skipper.

Having personally experienced how sail training can be transformative at any age, Vanessa joined Sail Training International in 2018 where her commercial, sailing and teaching experience, together with an instinctive international outlook provided a great platform for the role of Commercial Director. Vanessa is committed to ensuring the continued success of The Tall Ships Races and to working with all our stakeholders in order for our events to remain relevant and beneficial for all.

As Race Director for The Tall Ships Races, Magda is responsible for advising on technical aspects of sail training within Sail Training International and liaising with Host Ports on the infrastructure, in-port facilities and port programme for the Tall Ships Races.

As a volunteer she has furthered her relationship with The Tall Ships Races and sail training, acting as a Communications Officer during our Races and Regattas in 2014, 2015 and 2017, and as a founding member of the Sail Training International Youth Council.

Since then, Magda has continued to play a vital role in the organisation of The Tall Ships Races and sail training. In 2018, she was welcomed to the board of directors of TSRIL and acted as Chair of Race Two of The Tall Ships Races 2022.

Ran Van Der Vurst has worked in the sports and recreation industry since 2012. In 2018 she began working for the city of Antwerp as manager of sporting events and one year later she became responsible for team event acquisition. In her time working with the city, she has hosted several national and international events including cycling world championships, 3 x 3 basketball world championships, and last summer she experienced her first edition of the Tall Ships Races.

Kris Von Wald joined Tall Ships America as Executive Director in January 2019. She possesses a wealth of experience in organizational development, with a focus on strategic and business planning and leadership development. Kris has worked across the commercial, nonprofit, and public sectors in the United States and the United Kingdom, with specialist expertise in leading transformational change and direct experience in youth development and education.

Growing up along the front range in Colorado in the USA fostered her keen interest in outdoor pursuits, and she feels fortunate to have the opportunity to combine her education and experience with her life-long interests. She has first-hand experience of the value of learning through outdoor and adventurous activity including a sailing adventure with Hurricane Island Outward Bound, as a leader on a Greenland expedition, and by sailing aboard several tall ships on both sides of the Atlantic. Kris is known to the Tall Ships community as the lead author and investigator for the creation of STI’s “Sail Training Programme Evaluation Self-Assessment Toolkit” and related training materials.

Erin Short joined Tall Ships America in 2006 and is the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Director. Over the course of sixteen years, she has helped coordinate over 85 TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® maritime events on the Pacific Coast, Atlantic Coast, Great Lakes and Gulf of Mexico. Her main role is as liaison between Tall Ships America’s Host Port Partners, tall ships fleet, US Coast Guard, city partners and community stakeholders to ensure every event is safe, secure, and successful.

Erin is passionate about promoting tall ships, maritime history and our waterfront communities through the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® events and on social media. Erin grew up sailing Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay and has sailed in several of Tall Ships America’s member vessels, culminating in a transatlantic voyage. After graduating with a BS in Anthropology from University of Colorado, Boulder, she now lives in Providence where she volunteers at the Gamm Theatre and Providence Preservation Society. When not travelling with the tall ships (and sometimes when she is) Erin is on a quest for the perfect bowl of ramen.

FACILITATOR: Paul Bishop

Speakers: Magda Makowska, Toby Maris, Madis Rallmann, Reinoud van der Heijden, Eline Kristiansen, Louise Olsen

The Cruise-in-Company (C-in-C) has been an important part of The Tall Ships Races over the past decades but is it still relevant? A Discussion Panel representing vessel operators, host ports and National Sail Training Organisations will review the benefits that this component adds to the event programme, and examine how it could be improved to better meet the needs of all those involved.

The session will look at the following areas:
How effective is a C-in-C as a platform to help develop young people and foster international friendship and cultural understanding?

• Are there ways to develop the C-in-C as a commercial opportunity to benefit vessel operators?
• Do they provide opportunities to NSTOs to promote sail training in their country?
• Could they be better focussed at helping Host Ports with ship recruitment?
• Could they be developed as another income opportunity to help STI support its charitable objectives?
• How could they be better organised for the benefit of all?

This inter-active session is aimed at all vessel operators, NSTOs and those host port delegates at the start or finish of a Cruise-in-Company leg.

About the Speakers

As Race Director for The Tall Ships Races, Magda is responsible for advising on technical aspects of sail training within Sail Training International and liaising with Host Ports on the infrastructure, in-port facilities and port programme for the Tall Ships Races.

As a volunteer she has furthered her relationship with The Tall Ships Races and sail training, acting as a Communications Officer during our Races and Regattas in 2014, 2015 and 2017, and as a founding member of the Sail Training International Youth Council.

Since then, Magda has continued to play a vital role in the organisation of The Tall Ships Races and sail training. In 2018, she was welcomed to the board of directors of TSRIL and acted as Chair of Race Two of The Tall Ships Races 2022.

Eline found her passion for sailing after joining the Tall Ships Races for the first time in 2011. Since then, she has participated in the races seven times, in addition to a few sailing voyages on the side. She has been sailing with six different Tall Ships of Norwegian and Dutch nationality, as a trainee, in addition to being the Norwegian Youth Representative in the Youth Council since 2017.

In 2019 she started her own initiative, “Vitamin Sea Sail” in which provides scholarships to Norwegian youth who has a wish to try out life at sea. She is currently studying Veterinary Medicine in Budapest, Hungary and will graduate in 2025.

Louise is the Denmark’s representative within the Youth Council. She is also a board member of Danish Sail Training Association. She began sailing as child as her father is a skipper on one of the old Danish ketches. In 2015 she participated in her first Tall Ship Races and, after her times as a trainee onboard Georg Stage, she became a member of the Youth Council in the fall 2018.

SPEAKERS: Sue Cheshire & Murray Henstock

Join us for an engaging and interactive walk through of safeguarding practices and guidelines that have been developed for the protection of our trainees, crew and organisations.

The session will include a workshop style exploration of the ‘human givens’ (HG) approach to well-being for all. The solution-based strategies presented will increase the tools organisations and vessels have to identify and respond to trainees, crew and staff who may be experiencing distress.

About the SPEAKERS

After a career in educational publishing as an author and commissioning editor, Sue Cheshire worked as a college teacher of English, Philosophy and Critical Thinking for many years. To support young adult students who were struggling, she also qualified as a therapist. She has served as Chair of the Human Givens Institute’s Ethics Committee, as well as offering individual and group mental health and wellbeing sessions through the UK charity Wheatsheaf Trust and training for Ocean Youth Trust South and the Association of Sail Training Operators.

Murray Henstock has been involved with sail training in a range of capacities since 2000 and is currently a Sail Training International Trustee looking into education, youth development and sail training research. He is a previous winner of the Sail Training International ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award and has been a regular presenter at the International Sail Training and Tall Ships conferences presenting on a range of topics since 2008.

FACILITATOR: Magda Makowska

Speakers: Jeroen Franken, Catherine Honey, Knut R Hansen, Emma Miller, Sylvia Jacobsen

Representatives from each of The Tall Ships Races 2023 Host Ports preview their events and discuss an overview of planned in-port activities for trainees and crews. They will also provide information and planning details for creating a safe and successful event and opportunities for participating ships to generate income by taking part in the event.

About the SPEAKERS

Jeroen Franken is a retired naval officer who, in 2019, took upon him the task to organise the event “Sail Den Helder 2023” as starting event of the “Tall Ships Races 2023”. During his career he participated as trainee in the Tall Ships Races 1980, sailed on board tall ships including the Australian replica “Duijfken”, and was part of the volunteer workforce during Sail Den Helder 2008.

He now works for the Foundation Sail Den Helder with a team of three Directors and six staff members, taking charge of about 1.000 volunteers to make the tall ships event in Den Helder, the Netherlands, happen from 29 June to 2 July 2023.

Emma Miller is the Project Manager for the 2023 Tall Ships Races Host Port of Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands. She has an extensive background in event and project management, having been instrumental in establishing both Shetland Boat Week and Shetland Wool Week.

FACILITATOR: Paul van Omen

SPEAKERS: Daragh Sheridan & Adrian Ragbourne

National Sail Training Organisations (NSTOs) and Vessel Operators obviously need to work together to achieve their common aims. Sail Training Ireland (STIrl) and Seas Your Future(SYF) have worked closely together for the past six years creating a mutually beneficial situation for both organisations. SYF’s tall ship Pelican of London’s work with STIrl has grown from an initial two voyages to eleven in the 2022 season.

This session will detail how the relationship works and has developed in that time. We will hear from both organisations on their perspectives of the success, the challenges, funding, the mistakes, the leaps of faith, and what the future holds.

About the SPEAKERS

Daragh is from Dublin and became CEO of Sail Training Ireland in late 2016. Prior to this Daragh ran his own business for 12 years in the Leisure industry. This was preceded by a previous career in banking in Dublin and Australia. He is keen, bordering on fanatical, sailor and passionate Liverpool Football Club supporter.

Adrian has been Chief Executive at Seas Your Future since 2016, during which time he has led the charity through significant change, developing successful partnerships with Sail Training Ireland, Ocean College and many others. Prior to his time with Seas Your Future, Adrian spent 25 years as a manager in the global corporate sector, and 8 years as a manager in the charity sector. He also has experience as a school governor and Academy trustee, during which he developed a passion for youth development.

SPEAKERS:Jack Dignan, Aoibhinn Lynch, Eline Kristiansen & Maya James

With promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion arguably being at the centre of what takes place on board sail training ships and in port, we can always strive to do better.

This session will focus on discussing the key concepts and importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion, and encouraging sharing of best practices on board our vessels, in ports, and across shore-based events. Regardless of your reason for attending the conference in Gran Canaria, we encourage you to join us in developing each other’s awareness of the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion in the way we operate and the future of sail training.

About the SPEAKERS

Jack has been the UK representative of the Sail Training International Youth Council since 2017, and also the secretary of the board between 2018 and 2020, since then he has been the chairperson of the Youth Council. His first sail training voyage was in 2014 with Ocean Youth Trust South, later going on to become a trustee for the organization until 2020.

Since then, he has sailed as a volunteer on a number of sail training vessels, and he fits in as much sailing as he can around studying for his PhD in London. Following his first tall ships race in 2016, he has been involved in promoting and getting more people sailing at numerous festivals and events since.

Aoibhinn is currently the Vice-Chairperson and Irish Representative for the Sail Training International Youth Council. Growing up in a seaside town, Aoibhinn had always been interested in water sports. However, it wasn’t until her first Tall Ships voyage in 2016 that she found her passion. Tall Ships sailing has given Aoibhinn the opportunity to build confidence, develop self awareness and improve critical thinking, but most importantly, it has given her friends that will last a lifetime.

Eline found her passion for sailing after joining the Tall Ships Races for the first time in 2011. Since then, she has participated in the races seven times, in addition to a few sailing voyages on the side. She has been sailing with six different Tall Ships of Norwegian and Dutch nationality, as a trainee, in addition to being the Norwegian Youth Representative in the Youth Council since 2017.

In 2019 she started her own initiative, “Vitamin Sea Sail” in which provides scholarships to Norwegian youth who has a wish to try out life at sea. She is currently studying Veterinary Medicine in Budapest, Hungary and will graduate in 2025.

Maya is the Canadian Representative for Sail Training International’s Youth Council. While she is originally from Guelph, Ontario, Maya spent over 6 months living and sailing aboard the Alexander Von Humboldt II with Class Afloat. After her first introduction to sailing, she fell in love Tallship racing and wishes to take part in it for the rest of her life.

Outside of sailing, she has been active in the Black Student Union, Yearbook, Student Senate, Rugby, Curling, and Relay for Life at her high school. Her personal hobbies include painting, snowboarding, reading, pottery and Paddle-Boarding.

Facilitator: Jonathan Cheshire

SPEAKERS:Nathalie Beloso, Villy Gron, Haakon Vatle, Lucy Grodie, Vanessa Mori

The focus of this double session will be to create a better understanding between stakeholders of the needs, requirements and challenges we are all faced with when organising a Tall Ships Event, and help us work together to make our events a success for all those involved.

A panel consisting of representatives from Vessel Operators, Host Ports and Tall Ships Races International Ltd will give an initial overview of how they each operate, what challenges they face and share some of the considerations they face when deciding whether to take part in a Tall Ships Event.

Participating delegates will be encouraged to share their own challenges, concerns and ideas, and together we will have the opportunity of discussing how we can all move forward together to ensure that our Events continue to be relevant and viable for Trainees, Vessel Operators, Host Ports and Sail Training International in these changing times.

The ideal outcome to the session will include better understanding of our fellow stakeholders, sharing responsibility for the successful delivery of our Events thinking outside of the box, and the willingness to be creative in our joint approach.

About the SPEAKERS

Nathalie has worked in the event industry since 2005. From 2005 until 2020 she has worked for the City of Antwerp, helping to put on national and international sporting events, music festivals and The Tall Ships Races in 2016. Since 2020 she has been the team coordinator events for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, leading the internal event agency across a range of events on a local, national and international scale. In 2022 she worked to welcome The Tall Ships Races again and is already working on plans to welcome the event back in the coming years.

Haakon started his career on the deck of Statsraad Lehmkuhl where he sailed and worked every season from 1996 – 2005. From 2005 – 2016 he worked for large festivals in Norway, both building up his own festival as well as working as project advisor for The Tall Ships Races Bergen 2008, The Tall Ships Races Stavanger 2011 and was project manager for The Tall Ships Races Bergen 2014. In 2016 he came back to Statsraad Lehmkuhl, and is currently overseeing the One Ocean Expedition – a 20-month circumnavigation of the globe and a recognised part of the UN Ocean Decade.

Lucy Grodie is the General Manager of The Association of Sail Training Organisations. ASTO is the UK’s National Sail Training Organisation, representing over 30 not-for-profit organisations which operate over 50 vessels around the UK.

Vanessa is the Commercial Director for Tall Ships Races International Ltd. Following a career in international book publishing, whilst on a sabbatical Vanessa discovered the word of sailing and never looked back. She qualified as RYA Yachtmaster, which then took her to the Eastern Mediterranean for a few years where she enjoyed working as a charter yacht skipper.

Having personally experienced how sail training can be transformative at any age, Vanessa joined Sail Training International in 2018 where her commercial, sailing and teaching experience, together with an instinctive international outlook provided a great platform for the role of Commercial Director. Vanessa is committed to ensuring the continued success of The Tall Ships Races and to working with all our stakeholders in order for our events to remain relevant and beneficial for all.

SPEAKERS:DR Vernon Harten-Ash, Murray Henstock & Ben Clark

This interactive workshop-style session will explore the impact research has had, and can have, on the sail training community.

The session will begin with a joint exploration on what delegates and organisers want from research results. It will also looking at examples of how different organisations have used research outcomes in the past and how they plan to use it in the future.

This will be followed by a walkthrough of the Sail Training International Library of research, including how to access and contribute to it. The session will also explore how a common data collection process across the fleet can help with existing and future research.

Additionally, the session will explore how we can access and make use of external research as well as searching for and applying for research grants. Throughout the session, delegates will have opportunities to contribute their own insights, including informing us all of the research they have undertaken.

We look forward to learning from your expertise and helping shape the direction of research within the sail training community.

About the SPEAKERS

Vernon qualified as a doctor in Birmingham, UK and served for nine years as a medical officer in the Royal Navy. On leaving the RN he joined the NHS for a short time as an Accident and Emergency physician and GP before joining the pharmaceutical industry.

Commercial roles have included clinical research, medical education, and marketing. In 1995 he founded his own management consultancy to provide specialist services to international pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. He has worked for a number of large global companies including Roche, Pfizer, GSK and Bayer. He exited the company in 2021.

Additional roles have seen him working as a Non-Executive Director for a variety of organisations from small start-ups to larger, established genomic companies based in Cambridge. He frequently lectures at the university in Cambridge on business matters. In 2014 he was elected to the Chair of the Council of the Royal Yachting Association.

He served as Deputy Chair of the RYA until 2019. In his spare time Vernon is a keen yachtsman, working as an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor for Shearwater Sailing School, in the East of England. He is a volunteer member of the staff on SV Prolific, a 30m ketch, with Ocean Youth Trust, providing adventures under sail for young people. Since 2021 he has supported Sail Training International with preparations for Covid management during races and more lately the question of proving the impact of sail training on the life outcomes for young sailors.

Murray began his adventure in sail training in 2000 as a trainee aboard STS Young Endeavour in Australia. He has remained engaged within the sail training and adventurous learning arena since then. Murray is a full time high school science  and STEM teacher working to connect teachers, students and educational outcomes with outdoor education, experiential learning and sail training.

In addition to his role in education, Murray serves the international sail training community as an advisory trustee to Sail Training International sharing his knowledge and experience in education, youth development and research. Murray also volunteers in support of Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand. Most recently Murray has supported the development of the STI Safeguarding Guidelines and oversees the STI Research Grant process during the years that it is active.

Murray’s experience with research began in 2007 as a primary data gathering for Vessel 17 in the seminal University of Edinburgh study following this up with his own preliminary research into the impact of sail training on student engagement with education and learning. Currently, Murray is working with STI to review existing literature and curate a growing body of research that can be utilised by the sail training community.

Murray’s previous work includes the exploration of how trainees learn and the components of an effective youth development program, onboard facilitation techniques and group dynamics. He has developed and expanded existing youth development programs with TANZ as well as the corporate training and young leaders program for the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme along with the ‘Generic Youth Development Program’ and assisted with the development of the ‘Self-Assessment Tool Kit’ for Sail Training International. His current focus is exploring how the critical and creative problem solving Design Thinking process can be applied to sail training organisations in response to the changes the community are experience post COVID.

Murray is a previous winner of the Sail Training International ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award and has been a regular presenter at the International Sail Training and Tall Ships conferences since 2008.

Ben is a graduate of Portsmouth University, having studied English Literature and Language, and joined Sail Training International in May 2016, where he is now Marketing & Communications Manager. He has previously worked in the maritime industry with intelligence company Dryad Maritime and has also worked as a marketing consultant for a number of start up companies.

SPEAKER: Matilda Dalberg

In this interactive session, we will take you through the basics of sustainability, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and aim to provide some inspiration for how these can influence the development of sustainable programs to run on our vessels.

Using these tools, we will then run this session as a workshop with the goal to share best practices from existing sustainability programs and inspiring you to come up with new initiatives to bring back to your organisations. We welcome and encourage all delegates from any background to help us make sure these discussions are as varied as possible, gaining insight from all perspectives.

About the SPEAKER

Maltida Dagberg is a member of the Sail Training International Youth Council and the Swedish YC representative. She started sailing on Tall Ships when she was ten years old and has since sailed on eleven different vessels, most recently as crew on the Stad Amsterdam. Matilda has been engaged with the sail training community for many years, and she strongly believes in inter-organisational cooperation.

Facilitator: Jonathan Cheshire

SPEAKERS:Nathalie Beloso, Villy Gron, Haakon Vatle, Lucy Grodie, Vanessa Mori

The focus of this double session will be to create a better understanding between stakeholders of the needs, requirements and challenges we are all faced with when organising a Tall Ships Event, and help us work together to make our events a success for all those involved.

A panel consisting of representatives from Vessel Operators, Host Ports and Tall Ships Races International Ltd will give an initial overview of how they each operate, what challenges they face and share some of the considerations they face when deciding whether to take part in a Tall Ships Event.

Participating delegates will be encouraged to share their own challenges, concerns and ideas, and together we will have the opportunity of discussing how we can all move forward together to ensure that our Events continue to be relevant and viable for Trainees, Vessel Operators, Host Ports and Sail Training International in these changing times.

The ideal outcome to the session will include better understanding of our fellow stakeholders, sharing responsibility for the successful delivery of our Events thinking outside of the box, and the willingness to be creative in our joint approach.

About the SPEAKERS

Nathalie has worked in the event industry since 2005. From 2005 until 2020 she has worked for the City of Antwerp, helping to put on national and international sporting events, music festivals and The Tall Ships Races in 2016. Since 2020 she has been the team coordinator events for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, leading the internal event agency across a range of events on a local, national and international scale. In 2022 she worked to welcome The Tall Ships Races again and is already working on plans to welcome the event back in the coming years.

Haakon started his career on the deck of Statsraad Lehmkuhl where he sailed and worked every season from 1996 – 2005. From 2005 – 2016 he worked for large festivals in Norway, both building up his own festival as well as working as project advisor for The Tall Ships Races Bergen 2008, The Tall Ships Races Stavanger 2011 and was project manager for The Tall Ships Races Bergen 2014. In 2016 he came back to Statsraad Lehmkuhl, and is currently overseeing the One Ocean Expedition – a 20-month circumnavigation of the globe and a recognised part of the UN Ocean Decade.

Lucy Grodie is the General Manager of The Association of Sail Training Organisations. ASTO is the UK’s National Sail Training Organisation, representing over 30 not-for-profit organisations which operate over 50 vessels around the UK.

Vanessa is the Commercial Director for Tall Ships Races International Ltd. Following a career in international book publishing, whilst on a sabbatical Vanessa discovered the word of sailing and never looked back. She qualified as RYA Yachtmaster, which then took her to the Eastern Mediterranean for a few years where she enjoyed working as a charter yacht skipper.

Having personally experienced how sail training can be transformative at any age, Vanessa joined Sail Training International in 2018 where her commercial, sailing and teaching experience, together with an instinctive international outlook provided a great platform for the role of Commercial Director. Vanessa is committed to ensuring the continued success of The Tall Ships Races and to working with all our stakeholders in order for our events to remain relevant and beneficial for all.

Speakers: Jack Dignan & Aoibhinn Lynch

In this session, the Sail Training International Youth Council (STIYC) would like to invite all delegates to join in reviewing the progress and the positive work they have been doing over the past few years, and developing their projects and future initiatives for 2023 and beyond.

After short presentations from each of the STIYC working groups, delegates will be encouraged to join in actively developing ideas in project groups and how we can work together over the following year to make them a reality.

We would love to see you join us for what has been a really positive and motivating session in previous years.

About the SPEAKERS

Jack has been the UK representative of the Sail Training International Youth Council since 2017, and also the secretary of the board between 2018 and 2020, since then he has been the chairperson of the Youth Council. His first sail training voyage was in 2014 with Ocean Youth Trust South, later going on to become a trustee for the organization until 2020.

Since then, he has sailed as a volunteer on a number of sail training vessels, and he fits in as much sailing as he can around studying for his PhD in London. Following his first tall ships race in 2016, he has been involved in promoting and getting more people sailing at numerous festivals and events since.

Aoibhinn is currently the Vice-Chairperson and Irish Representative for the Sail Training International Youth Council. Growing up in a seaside town, Aoibhinn had always been interested in water sports. However, it wasn’t until her first Tall Ships voyage in 2016 that she found her passion. Tall Ships sailing has given Aoibhinn the opportunity to build confidence, develop self awareness and improve critical thinking, but most importantly, it has given her friends that will last a lifetime.

A series of scheduled speed meetings will enable vessel operators and host ports to open a dialogue, “put faces to names” and agree follow-up meetings where appropriate.

This session will only be available on a pre-booked basis. If you have not pre-booked but would like to participate, please contact the registration desk to find out if there is any last-minute availability.

SPEAKERS: Wolfgang Shulze & Salome Pinero

In this Tall Ships maintenance and design focus session, Wolfgang Schutze will investigate international regulations for masts and rigging for Tall Ships, alternative inspection & maintenance regimes, and specialist Tall Ship sail design and maintenance.

Following this, Salome Pinero will discuss the benefits and functions of a wooden deck for a training ship, the advantages and disadvantages of different types of wood and installation techniques, maintenance and care,  as well as sustainable new alternatives.

About the SPEAKERS

Wolfgang Shulze is Sail Training International’s Ambassador in Latin America and has enjoyed a long-term relationship with Tall Ships and the oceans, working as a sailmaker from a young age and now operating a sail making and rigging company in Latin America, Wieinecke Marine.

SPEAKERS: Murray Henstock & Matilda Dalberg

About the SPEAKERS

Murray Henstock has been involved with sail training in a range of capacities since 2000 and is currently a Sail Training International Trustee looking into education, youth development and sail training research. He is a previous winner of the Sail Training International ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award and has been a regular presenter at the International Sail Training and Tall Ships conferences presenting on a range of topics since 2008.

Maltida Dagberg is a member of the Sail Training International Youth Council and the Swedish YC representative. She started sailing on Tall Ships when she was ten years old and has since sailed on eleven different vessels, most recently as crew on the Stad Amsterdam. Matilda has been engaged with the sail training community for many years, and she strongly believes in inter-organisational cooperation.

FACILITATOR: Vanessa Mori

SPEAKERS: Sam Groom BEM, Rui Santos, Samuel Delaunay

Representatives from each of The Tall Ships Races Magellan-Elcano Host Ports preview their events and discuss an overview of planned in-port activities for trainees and crews. They will also provide information and planning details for creating a safe and successful event and opportunities for participating ships to generate income by taking part in the event.

Following this, representatives from the Endorsed Event Armada Rouen will preview their event and provide an overview of in-port activities and opportunities for participating ships.

About the SPEAKERS

Sam Groom has 20 years experience in the events industry and a track record of delivering successful major events for Cornwall including the start of the Olympic Torch Relay and previous award-winning Tall Ships Regattas. In 2016 she was awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to tourism.

Rui is project Manager at Aporvela and has been part of Portugal’s national sail training organisation since 2009. His role at Aporvela ranges from organising sailing trips, to promoting sail training, recruiting trainees, communication and marketing, developing new educational programmes and delivering Tall Ships Races events. In the past years he has sailed aboard Vera Cruz, Creoula, Wylde Swan, Sagres and Lord Nelson.

Samuel Delaunay is involved in the Tall Ships’ events since 2005. Previously a member of the organising team for the Rouen Armada in 2013 and 2019, he is in charge of the recruitment of tall ships and of hospitality services for the Rouen Armada 2023.

FACILITATOR: Lucy Grodie

SPEAKERS: Haakon Vatle, Sintja Lase & Liga Platais

This session will showcase two very different sail training operators with Haakon Vatle (Statraad Lemkuhl) and Sintja Lase and Liga Platais (Spaniel, Latvia) giving a fascinating insight into their individual voyage and on board sail training programmes.

Sintja and Liga will showcase their “Watch Leaders for Better Sail Training” project. Over the last 2 years, they have worked with Atyla Foundation, STA Latvia, SNUPU and STAF, to analyse different watch systems, watch leader’s roles and sail training programmes on 4 different sail training vessels – Atyla, Spaniel, Vahine and Helena. This has led to the launch of three different watch leaders’ training programs that were developed and improved during the project.

About the SPEAKERS

Haakon started his career on the deck of Statsraad Lehmkuhl where he sailed and worked every season from 1996 – 2005. From 2005 – 2016 he worked for large festivals in Norway, both building up his own festival as well as working as project advisor for The Tall Ships Races Bergen 2008, The Tall Ships Races Stavanger 2011 and was project manager for The Tall Ships Races Bergen 2014. In 2016 he came back to Statsraad Lehmkuhl, and is currently overseeing the One Ocean Expedition – a 20-month circumnavigation of the globe and a recognised part of the UN Ocean Decade.

Sintija has been a trainer of non-formal education programmes for youth and youth workers for 14 years. She has been project manager and facilitator of international sail training projects at STA Latvia for 8 years and is project manager and facilitator of the Erasmus+ Sport project “WATCH Leaders for Better Sail training” (2020–2022).

Liga has been a board member of STA Latvia for 6 years and offshore skipper of sail training yacht Spaniel for 19 years. She has been the developer and trainer for the Watch Leaders’ training program at STA Latvia since 2019.

Facilitator: Jan Reier Arends

SPEAKER: Mike Richmond

In this session, Richmond Event Management CEO, Mike Richmond, will discuss the tools and techniques he has used to help strike a balance between the deliverables, structure and creative fun of Tall Ships Events.

The focus of the session will be on the audiences, participants, crews and entertainers involved in a Tall Ships event and rewarding and managing their enthusiasm. The session will be a combination of presentation and open discussion to enable ideas and experiences to be shared across more people.

The topics of focus in the session will be:

• The deliverables for a Tall Ships event – safety, security, port regulations, site planning, working with authorities
• The creative aspects of a Tall Ships event – entertainment, education, culture, art, performances, the spirit of the occasion
• The look of a Tall Ships event – site dressing, the ebb and flow, presentation and feel of an event

About the SPEAKER

Mike started his career in the events industry as Events Manager at Bristol City Council. In 1996 He left to start his own company, Richmond Event Management Ltd, which specialises in event concept and design, programming, logistics and production. Major projects include The International Festival of the Sea, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Bristol Harbour Festival, ceremonial naval vessel launches for BAE, Air/Sea Displays for Trafalgar 200 and HM The Queen’s Jubilee Visit to her Armed Forces.

He is also the co-founder of event safety consultancy The Event Safety Shop Ltd and is a Safety Co-ordinator for Glastonbury Festival and was Silver Commander 2004-2016.

FACILITATOR: Paul Bishop

Speakers: Kirsten Kirchner, Villy Gron, Lieuwe Krol, Rikke Dahl Jensen, Robin Snouck-Hurgronje, Magda Makowska, Representative from TSR2022 Antwerp

Host port representatives from The Tall Ships Races 2022 will give feedback on the preparation and delivery of the event in their city. These first-hand insights will include areas of their projects that were successful and also the more challenging areas where lessons were learnt.

About the Speakers

Lieuwe was the Project Manager for The Tall Ships Races 2022 Harlingen and has previously worked for large companies in the temporary employment sector, the banking sector and the media. Independent entrepreneur since 2011 and mainly active in organizational development, concept development, marketing and communication, culture and events and recently became managing director of an international skating team.

Rikke Dahl Jensen is the project manager of The Tall Ships Races 2022 Aalborg. The Tall Ships Races have been held with great success in Aalborg in 1999, 2004, 2010, 2015, 2019, and 2022. Rikke has been part of the team since 2004, and has played an integral role in the organisation of five Tall Ships Races in Aalborg since.

FACILITATOR: Stephen Moss

This session will enable members of the Ships Council and other interested delegates to meet and discuss future strategies and projects.

Please note that non-member vessel operators are warmly invited to attend the forum.

SPEAKERS: Ben Clark, Tom Palmer & Max Mudie

This session will focus on effective marketing through the use of ‘magic moments’ in our communications. By creating content that captures the instances where a customer feels exactly the way you want them to about your voyage or Tall Ships event, you are able to develop a strong relationship with your audience and maximise engagement.

For many of us, these ‘magic moments’ happen at sea though and it can be costly and difficult to effectively capture them. To tackle this challenge, during this session we will also look at the key principles of capturing video and photography at sea, and how to capture professional quality footage on your smart phone.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Ben is a graduate of Portsmouth University, having studied English Literature and Language, and joined Sail Training International in May 2016, where he is now Marketing & Communications Manager. He has previously worked in the maritime industry with intelligence company Dryad Maritime and has also worked as a marketing consultant for a number of start up companies.

Tom is a new addition to the Sail Training International team, working as Commercial and Marketing Coordinator. Having previously worked as Social Media and Marketing Manager for the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO), Tom has more than two years’ of experience working closely with operators to help promote Sail Training in the UK.

Tom recently joined the Sail Training International team at the Tall Ships Races 2022 in Harlingen and Antwerp. During the trip, Tom assisted the STI Media Team with conducting interviews and collating other media content. Tom also helped run the Host Port Seminar in Harlingen.

Max first sailed on a tall ship Lord Nelson – in 1987. He left Art College in 1992 and has been a professional photographer ever since. He has been around the world chasing tall ships: anything from the smallest schooner to the biggest four-masted barque has come in front of his lens. As he says “the best photos happen miles off shore, so I need a boat with a good driver, and a tall ship with its sails set, some sun and some wind, before it happens”.

Realising that good pictures of tall ships under sail are rare and that video footage is even rarer he has spent the last few years filming them as well. Away from tall ships he has snapped corporate PR, youth sports events, cars, hotels and even weddings. His home is in Gosport, UK.