What Does COVID-19 Mean For Yachting? [Live Stream Interview]

Congressman Brian Mast

U.S. Congressman For Florida’s 18th Congressional District

Congressman Brian Mast is in his second term representing the 18th Congressional District of Florida.

Prior to his election to Congress, Brian followed in his father’s footsteps by serving in the U.S. Army for more than 12 years, earning medals including The Bronze Star Medal, The Army Commendation Medal for Valor, The Purple Heart Medal, and The Defense Meritorious Service Medal. While deployed in Afghanistan, he worked as a bomb disposal expert under the elite Joint Special Operations Command. The last improvised explosive device that he found resulted in catastrophic injuries, which included the loss of both of his legs.

While lying in bed recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center, Brian’s father gave him advice that has stuck with him to this day–to ensure the greatest service he gave to our country and the best example he set for his children was still ahead of him. Brian took this advice to heart and dedicated himself to finding new ways to serve our country and his community.

Commissioner Ben Sorensen

Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner

Ben Sorensen was sworn in as the Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner of District 4 on March 20, 2018. Ben was then named Vice Mayor of the City of Fort Lauderdale and served as Vice Mayor from April 3, 2018 to April 2, 2019.

In 2007, Ben co-founded and currently serves as Vice President of Optimum Associates, LLC, which provides leadership, sales and management training to large corporations, small businesses and non-profit organizations. Ben has earned six degrees: a Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University, a Doctor of Ministry from Amridge University, a Master of Divinity from Amridge University, a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, a Master of Arts of Leadership and Liberal Studies from Duquesne University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University. While at Georgetown Law, Ben studied International Trade Law under current United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. 

Tucker Thompson

Host of 35th America’s Cup 

Tucker Thompson is the official Host of the 35th America’s Cup and was one of the TV announcers of the 34th Cup in San Francisco. A veteran sailing commentator, Thompson has hosted over 1,500 sailing shows on T2PTV and live TV and covered the America’s Cup on TV since the 2007 Cup in Valencia, Spain.

He is a national award winning TV and video host, producer, and public speaker, and also a former champion sailor who sailed with America True during the 2000 America’s Cup in New Zealand, competed in numerous grand prix events in the US and around the world, won multiple National Championships, and raced aboard Chessie Racing breaking two ocean racing records.

Andrew Doole

President of U.S. Boat Shows, Informa Markets

Andrew Doole serves as President of U.S. Boat Shows for Informa, which includes the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Miami Yacht Show and Palm Beach International Boat Show — three of the world’s largest in-water boat shows — as well as the St. Petersburg Boat Show and Suncoast Boat Show in Sarasota.

In his role as President, Doole is responsible for overall coordination of these complex exhibitions, which span government relations, industry partnerships, exhibitor relations, sales, production and strategies for future growth. The company’s Fort Lauderdale-based U.S. Boat Shows division employs a full-time staff of 60, which swells to more than 200 with part-time staff during the shows.

Alex Jimenez | The Yacht Guy

Yacht Industry Social Media Influencer

Alex is yachting’s leading social media influencer. With nearly 10 years in social media marketing for the yachting industry, The Yacht Guy shares his favorite picks of the world’s best yachts daily to his +800k instagram audience, and on his Youtube channel.

Alex discusses, yachts, charters, boat shows and everything in between that comes with the yachting lifestyle.

Billy Black

Professional Yacht Photographer

Billy is a yacht photographer with 40 years of experience and brings an enthusiastic, experienced eye to all your yacht photography needs. Billy is known for his intrepid seamanship and for going that extra mile under the most challenging conditions to get the important shot. He also has the patience, energy and sensitivity to capture the spirit of an exotic location and its people. He was awarded the prestigious Anchor Award for Lifetime Achievement in the marine industry.

Sam DeBianchi

Real Estate Investor + Entrepreneur

Samantha (Sam) DeBianchi is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, branding genius, influencer and thought leader.

When she’s not buying and selling homes or growing her businesses, Sam’s educating major network television audiences about real estate, marketing and business, or voicing her views on hot topics to publications like Forbes and The Huffington Post. Sam’s expertise has been seen on CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business, Bloomberg and CNBC World and has spoken to audiences as large as 4500+ at sold out conferences from New York to Australia. She was also the first woman to be casted on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing (Miami) series.

Andrea Tagliaferro | The Yacht Dame

Yacht Industry Social Media Influencer

Andrea Tagliaferro is a social media expert specializing in yachting, and the founder of Yacht Dame, a news outlet that sheds light on the inner workings of the yacht industry, covering the latest yacht news, female industry leaders, and travel destinations.

The mission is to share the latest yachts, the builders, designers, and brokers. Yacht Dame partners with social media influencers, and other media outlets to get you the news from around the world.