Northrop & Johnson hosted a two-day Event Planning Masterclass in Antibes

On 26 and 27 March, Northrop & Johnson hosted a two-day Event Planning Masterclass in Antibes, bringing together yacht crew and industry partners for a practical workshop focused on guest events onboard.

The masterclass explored how successful events come together in practice, from catering and wine to uniforms, table presentation and overall guest experience. Built around two themes, sea-inspired and flower-inspired, the programme was designed to feel collaborative, useful and grounded in the reality of life onboard.

Day one: sea-inspired event planning

The first day focused on food, catering, uniforms and event presentation. Guests were welcomed with pastries provided by Superyacht Supplies and coffee courtesy of Onshore Roasters, before opening remarks from Yulia of MYT Marine and Ivana of Northrop & Johnson.

Superyacht Supplies then led the morning session on food and catering for yacht events, covering menu planning, storage, galley limitations and working with external caterers during busy periods. The discussion also touched on the importance of planning for crew food and maintaining smooth service behind the scenes.

After lunch at Da Vinci, the afternoon began with a presentation by Joanna of All Around The Yacht on uniforms and presentation standards, including consistency across the team and the practical side of dressing for long and demanding service days.

The day then moved into a joint sea-inspired presentation with MYT Marine, Superyacht Supplies, Onshore Cellars and Northrop & Johnson. Through table styling, food presentation and seafood pairings, the session looked at how food, wine and atmosphere all contribute to a cohesive guest experience.

The day ended with a tasting experience featuring Superyacht Supplies in-house caviar alongside Champagne, wine and Bodega Submarina underwater wine, giving attendees the chance to exchange ideas and speak openly about the realities of delivering polished events onboard.

Day two: flower-inspired event planning

The second day shifted focus to bar setup, beverage planning and creative event execution, with a flower-inspired theme running throughout, drawing inspiration for the Sanremo Yacht Show and this year’s flower-themed Competition.

Following breakfast and a welcome address, Onshore Cellars led the morning session on alcohol, bar setup and beverage planning for major yacht events. Topics included provisioning for yachts of different sizes, key alcoholic and non-alcoholic essentials, wine selection without guest preference lists and a discussion around Italian and French wine culture, helping crew better understand different styles of service and what may be most appropriate depending on the guest or occasion. VAT considerations, supplier coordination and delivery timing were also discussed.

In the afternoon, Sharleen led a presentation on guest toiletries and amenities, with a focus on stock control, presentation and maintaining a luxury standard during high-volume events.

The final joint session brought together Onshore Cellars, Superyacht Supplies, MYT Marine and Northrop & Johnson for a flower-inspired presentation on event design and execution. Floral table styling, aromatic wine profiles and beverage presentation helped frame a wider discussion around how to carry an event concept through from idea to service.

The event closed with canapés, wine tasting and a final discussion, rounding off two days of practical learning and shared insight.

Across both days, there was a clear emphasis on preparation, communication and realistic planning. More than just the visual side of events, the workshop focused on what it really takes to deliver them well onboard, while giving crew the chance to learn from trusted industry partners and share experiences together.