Fewer boats participated this year in a show schedule packed with seminars, meetings, competitions receptions, and even a flea market, although yachts such as Whisper, Grand Oasis, La Creole and Antiquity have been involved for a number of years. But brokers from the world over flocked to St. Thomas to inspect the islands' charter yachts first hand. They came from as far away as England, Norway, Canada, England, Argentina and the U.S. mainland to as near as downtown Charlotte Amalie for the annual event. Though much of the Yacht Haven Hotel is still heavily damaged from Hurricane Marilyn and considered an eyesore by many, several visitors still stayed at the hotel. Most, however, opted for Marriott's Frenchman's Reef, Admirals Inn, Island Beachcomber and others.
Brokers are the equivalent of a travel agent when booking a plane reservation.
Charter yacht brokers use a number of marketing tools to advertise yachts including print, and technology advances such as the Internet, on which most boats are presently listed. There are over 30 charter yacht brokers in the Virgin Islands. One of the highlights of the event was the governmental support received from Governor Roy L. Schneider who, with First Lady Barbara Schneider, hosted a reception at the Governor's Mansion on Denmark Hill for visiting charter brokers. VICL is a trade association of crewed charter yachts which represents a large number of these beautiful vessels based in the Virgin Islands. The membership consists of the captains of the member yachts.