The Blue Design Summit 2026, titled "The Next Wave Now", kicked off in La Spezia with a strong emphasis on the Italian Blue Lifestyle: the supply chain that connects yachting, tourism, design, and regional regions in an increasingly strategic ecosystem for Made in Italy—a sector that currently accounts for approximately 11% of national GDP, with Liguria among its key drivers. The chosen title is already a statement of intent: the future of yacht design is no more a distant prospect, but rather a continuous revolution that is reinventing yachts, waterfronts, hospitality, and maritime infrastructure via innovation, sustainability, and new lifestyle experiences. One of the most anticipated events was the preview presentation of the Superyacht Times - The State of Yachting 2026 data, which provided an updated assessment of the international market, including new builds, production backlog, pre-owned performance, and global trends. Also interesting is the "Designing for Exploration - Leave No Trace" design challenge, which asks students to imagine a new generation of explorer yachts capable of traversing the most sensitive habitats while reducing environmental effect.