The Nautical Congress unveils the agenda for its 13th edition
The sea has always been synonymous with discovery, transformation, and opportunity. With that same spirit, the 13th Nautical Congress is heading to Huelva, where on 12th and 13th of March, at Casa Colón, it will bring together the sector to share vision, talent, and strategy at a decisive moment for recreational boating.
The updated agenda reinforces a programme designed not only to analyse figures, but to inspire, spark conversation, and set a course for the future.
The first day will begin with a clear look at the economic context, led by Jordi Sevilla, who will provide an analysis to help understand the current landscape and the challenges shaping the sector’s growth.
One of the most anticipated moments will be the presentation of “El Pulso Azul”, a preview of the main indicators from the Economic Impact Study of Recreational Boating on the Economy, whose full publication is scheduled for September 2026. It will be an opportunity to gauge the true scope of boating as a driver of economic activity, employment, and regional development. Jordi Carrasco, Director General of ANEN, and José Luis Fayos, Technical and Internationalisation Advisor, will share the first insights from what is set to become a benchmark study.
The Congress will also serve as a bridge between past and future. Historian María Fidalgo will lead the session “From Discovery to Generation Z Boating,” exploring the link between maritime heritage and new ways of understanding leisure, sustainability, and experience. Because boating is not only an industry, it is culture, identity and emotion.
In a constantly evolving environment, adaptation is progress. The session “When the Shipbuilding Industry Sets the Course: Adapting to Compete” will address how the sector can evolve in response to new technological and market challenges.
The afternoon of Thursday, 12th of March, will focus on people and experience. The session “El Nuevo Líder” will examine the skills required to lead in times of transformation, while “El ocio náutico en la oferta de viajes premium” will explore how the sea is increasingly integrated into experiential and high-value tourism.
Friday, 13th of March, will open with an institutional session symbolising cooperation and shared vision. Representatives from Puertos del Estado, the Andalusian Ports Agency, and the Port Authority of Huelva will share their perspectives on the strategic role of the port system in economic and social development.
The Congress will then address the transformation of marina and nautical-sports facilities, a key factor in enhancing user experience, improving destination competitiveness, and optimising management. Speakers from golf, professional tennis, and the camping sector will contribute a cross-industry perspective, enriching the debate and opening new avenues for collaboration.
The morning will continue with the roundtable “España/Portugal: Cooperar para ganar. La ventaja competitiva de la náutica ibérica,” focusing on how cross-border collaboration can strengthen the peninsula’s position as a leading nautical destination. Experts from both countries will analyse synergies in infrastructure, services, and joint promotion to foster sector growth.
The 13th Nautical Congress is more than a professional event; it has become a meeting point for those who see the sea as a space of opportunity. A place where data is shared, but also vision. Where infrastructure is discussed, but also talent. Where tradition meets innovation. In Huelva, the sector will once again gather to do what it does best: look to the horizon and move forward.