The International Superyacht Society (ISS) has today released the names of the winning yachts from its annual International Superyacht Design Awards Program as well as the recipient of its much heralded Award for Leadership. Presentations were made in Miami on February 16, 2006 at ISS's rescheduled Awards for Leadership and Design Gala, customarily held the opening night of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

In October, a large yacht industry survey conducted by ISS gauged consensus regarding the effects of Hurricane Wilma on the greater Fort Lauderdale community and impacts to the boat show. Overwhelming, the large yacht industry voted to reschedule its events. The rescheduled gala proved significant and valuable with nearly 400 guests from all areas of the large yacht industry attending the beautifully orchestrated affair which included cocktails, dinner, the awards program, a live band, magician, dancing and après gala cigars.

A key to the success of the gala rests squarely on the shoulders of ISS's unwavering sponsorship support. The gala sponsors are Show Management as Design Awards Title Sponsor, the Robb Report as Leadership Award Title Sponsor and The Yacht Report as Design and Leadership Awards Gala Title Sponsor. Each commit to a platinum level of sponsorship, one of the large yacht industry's most visible sponsorship opportunities.

New to the gala program, ISS also presented several additional awards recognizing the achievements of some of the superyacht industry's most notable individuals. While it is customary during the ceremonies to conclude with the Leadership Award, this year, ISS presented both the Distinguished Crew Award and the new Presidents Award. (Information regarding recipients of these awards is available in a separate press release: ISS Honours Outstanding Achievement with New and Established Awards, released March 1, 2006.)

With regard to how the winning yachts achieve such success, each year ISS honours those yacht builders, designers, interior designers, naval architects and stylists selected from a list of five finalists in each of five length categories. In addition to awards given to three power yachts and two sailing vessels, best interior awards are also given for each yachting discipline: power and sail.

Finalist selections are the result of an annual worldwide membership voting process; being nominated and then selected as a finalist is a source of pride as the new voting system is the direct result of input from one's peers. Now in its second year of operation, a distinct section of the ISS web site (www.superyachtsociety.com) allows society members to review all of the listings in each of the design award's five categories, click on five finalists and thereby cast a total of 25 votes. Winners are selected after an intensively careful review of materials submitted by the yacht's creators. The judges include the world's most renowned builders, architects and designers.

The submission of yachts completed during 2005 is already well underway for the 2006 award gala that will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2006, the opening night of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Builders, designers, architects and interested parties should contact the ISS for information regarding how and where to send their entries.

In addition to acknowledging the winning yachts, ISS also annually recognizes one of the large yacht industry's most revered figures with its Leadership Award. For 2005, the award has been presented to Peter Lürssen of Lürssen Yachts (please see pages 3 for additional information about the award and recipient).

Founded in 1989, the ISS (International Superyacht Society) is the sole not-for-profit organization serving the large yacht industry worldwide. ISS members are individuals, companies and owners who are recognized for their leadership and dedication to raising the standards of design, construction, maintenance, repair and operation of large yachts. ISS provides recognition, training and networking opportunities to reach this objective.