ANEN celebrates 20th anniversary in Barcelona and presents Santander as venue for Nautical Congress

ANEN took advantage of the 2026 Barcelona International Boat Show to celebrate one of the most important milestones in its recent history: its 20th anniversary.

Over two decades of work in support of recreational boating, the Association chose to share this milestone with those who have been part of its journey, bringing together members, companies and industry professionals at its stand for an event combining celebration, reunion and a forward-looking perspective.

Under the slogan “Los 20 de ANEN”, the organisation transformed its space at the show into a meeting point for the professional community that has supported the Association over the past twenty years. The gathering provided an opportunity to celebrate its achievements while thanking the companies and organisations whose trust and support have helped establish ANEN as Spain’s national representative for the recreational boating industry.

Barcelona was also the setting chosen to announce one of ANEN’s major upcoming events.

During the show, the Association presented the 14th edition of the Nautical Congress, which will take place on the 4th and 5th of March 2027 in Santander. The Cantabrian capital will succeed Huelva as host city for an event that, after thirteen editions, has established itself as one of Spain’s leading professional forums for the recreational boating industry.

The Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria, overlooking Santander Bay, will host two days of meetings bringing together business leaders, industry professionals, institutions and experts to analyse developments in the industry, exchange knowledge and debate the sector’s main future challenges.

During the Barcelona International Boat Show, ANEN also had its own stand, which served as a base for a programme of meetings, activities and discussions with industry professionals and institutional representatives.

At the official opening of the show, ANEN President Jesús Astondoa welcomed the institutional delegation at the stand, accompanied by Ana Núñez, Director General of the Merchant Marine. Among the officials attending were Gustavo Santana, President of Puertos del Estado, and Luis Conde, President of the Barcelona International Boat Show.

Spain’s Minister for Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, also stopped by ANEN’s stand during his visit to the show, taking an interest in the latest developments in the industry and the key issues shaping the evolution of recreational boating.

Institutional engagement continued at the Àgora Port venue, where ANEN Director General Jordi Carrasco took part in a round-table discussion entitled “The Major Challenges Facing the Nautical Sector: Regulation and Competitiveness”.