Alessandra Ghezzi, 11th Hour Racing’s VP of Communications & Marketing, was one such changemaker who traveled to Amsterdam to participate in the three-day event.

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Below, Alessandra explains in her own words the eye-opening experience of being on the ground at Metstrade and invites you to relive three short videos showcasing how the conference is helping driving real change.

Showing up matters

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When you work for a brand like 11th Hour Racing that stands for a mindset — not a product — showing up matters. It means standing with the people driving real change, especially in a moment when inaction isn’t an option. This time, showing up meant flying across the ocean to Amsterdam for Metstrade, the largest B2B marine leisure conference.

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Being surrounded by so many of the partners we support was both inspiring and eye-opening. There’s real progress happening — and still so much work ahead, from environmental challenges to equity and access across the marine industry.

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Walking the endless halls of this massive trade show, I kept feeling pulled forward by the energy of the changemakers we support: from students in the SuMothChallenge building sustainable flying boats, to the mentees and mentors from The Magenta Project expanding access for women in sailing, World Sailing driving innovation across the sport, and the international cohort Marine Mammal Advisory Group researching how to reduce and avoid marine mammal strikes. Their passion and commitment are contagious.

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At the Marine Impact Lab, a full-day workshop attended by over 60 industry professionals, we transformed sustainability insights into practical action using tools such as The Toolbox and the MarineShift360 lifecycle assessment. As a voice for 11th Hour Racing — the brand supporting the consultancies behind this work — I felt proud and responsible for helping to lead some of those conversations.

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Each morning and evening, riding efficient trams and walking along Amsterdam’s canals, being grounded in a city shaped by centuries of maritime history, reminded me why this work matters so deeply. Together, we can turn big ambitions into real action — and shape a future my kids deserve.

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Alessandra Ghezzi