Entrepreneur Mehmet Kabak, founder of Memetti Superyacht Agency, tells us about his professional journey and how the idea of organizing Turkey’s first Superyacht Show came about.
5 minute read
Mehmet Kabak, a Turkish entrepreneur who has long been connected to the maritime world, is the founder of Memetti Superyacht Agency. This is an agency that provides yachting services. This professional experience has led him to promote the first Superyacht Show of Turkey, which will be held in May 2025 in Göcek, one of the most famous touristic ports of Turkey. As Daily Nautica, we will be the media partner. Mehmet Kabak told our microphones about his professional journey and how the idea of organizing the first Superyacht Show of Turkey came about.
“Our collaboration – says Kabak – aims to provide the event with strong media and promotional support. Because we know how effective it is to work together; we have already experienced this during the International Women’s Nautical Conference that we organized and which you have described in various articles.”
5 minute read
Mehmet Kabak, a Turkish entrepreneur who has long been connected to the maritime world, is the founder of Memetti Superyacht Agency. This is an agency that provides yachting services. This professional experience has led him to promote the first Superyacht Show of Turkey, which will be held in May 2025 in Göcek, one of the most famous touristic ports of Turkey. As Daily Nautica, we will be the media partner. Mehmet Kabak told our microphones about his professional journey and how the idea of organizing the first Superyacht Show of Turkey came about.
“Our collaboration – says Kabak – aims to provide the event with strong media and promotional support. Because we know how effective it is to work together; we have already experienced this during the International Women’s Nautical Conference that we organized and which you have described in various articles.”
Where did the idea of starting Superyacht Show Turkey come from?
The idea of Superyacht Show Turkey was born to highlight the country’s potential in the yachting sector and to strengthen its position in the international arena. Göcek is an ideal location for such an event with its natural beauties and touristic ports.
What will be the economic, entrepreneurial and cultural impacts of such an event in Turkey?
First of all, we expect such an event to make a significant economic contribution to the yachting and tourism sector. It will create new commercial opportunities for entrepreneurs and help spread maritime culture to a wider audience. From a cultural perspective, such events offer the opportunity to promote Turkey’s maritime heritage and history.
Superyacht Show Türkiye also organized the first international “Women in Yachting” conference focusing on the role of women in the maritime sector. Is there still a long way to go to achieve “gender equality” in this sector?
Yes, there is still a long way to go in terms of gender equality. I think the “Women in Yachting” conference we organized was an important step in this direction. When choosing our speakers, we took care to choose representatives from all sectors. This allowed us to evaluate the issue from a broad perspective. One of the goals of the conference was to increase the visibility of women in the maritime world and improve their access to opportunities in the sector. Of course, I believe that we all need to make a joint effort in this regard.
Memetti Superyacht Agency, as a new marine services reality in Turkey, what can you say about the market and customers in this geography?
Turkey has great potential for yachting and marine tourism. Its unique coasts and historical and cultural riches make it an attractive destination for luxury yachting. Our current customers are those looking for high-quality services and personalized experiences. We emphasize differentiation in this market and offer services that exceed expectations.
Your long entrepreneurial experience is rooted in different areas: what led you to the “sea route”?
My entrepreneurial journey has allowed me to gain experience in different sectors, but maritime has always been my passion. My connection with the sea and the growth potential of the maritime industry guided me. In addition, the freedom and innovation opportunities it offered motivated me to become an entrepreneur. From a broader perspective, my professional life started in supermarkets. At that time, I was servicing large yachts and was impressed by this experience. In 1994, I received my Seaman Book to work on yachts, but due to my hyperactive personality, I found the board area limited and did not continue. However, I never lost my interest. The turning point was opening a laundry. I continued to serve yachts in Bodrum, Marmaris and Göcek. Then, I founded Zucca Crew Uniforms, focusing on crew uniforms. In 2021, I founded Memetti Superyacht Agency, where we can offer all the necessary services for yachting. This was an entrepreneurial process that developed by identifying important gaps in the sector in Turkey. I have committed to personally attending all national and international yachting shows in Turkey and around the world until 2024. I have always sent a team member to the events I could not attend. Based on these experiences, we aim to organize three events per year with the new Superyacht Show Türkiye.
In your experience, what sets Turkish yacht owners apart from others?
Turkish yachting stands out with its hospitality, service quality and personal touches. The care and flexibility shown to guests are elements that can be evaluated differently from other countries. In addition, culturally, there is a historical heritage brought by being a country with a long coastline. Loyalty to this culture and respect for heritage are among the defining characteristics.
