The Marinas24 International Conference and Trade Exhibition welcomed 398 delegates to the two-day event in Brisbane, Australia, in late May. The event, hosted by the Marina Industries Association, featured sessions on insurance, legal implications, lithium batteries, workforce challenges, alternative power, yield management and shared boat clubs.
The conference included opportunities for the industry in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and a keynote panel of experts discussed ways to create profitable marinas. Wes Moxey, CEO of Riviera Yachts, closed the conference with the story of the rebirth of the company.
“This is our key tradeshow,” Bruce Birtwistle of Bellingham Marine said in a statement. “It only happens every two years and is a very targeted event. We wouldn’t miss it for the world. Not only do we do a lot of new business here, but it is also a great opportunity for us to catch up with our existing customers, socialize and importantly, show our support for the MIA and the industry.”
The 2023 Health of the Australian Marine Industry Report was released during the conference. The research conducted by Michigan State University collected data from more than 40% of Australian marinas found that they contribute $1.6 billion to the country’s economy.
The MIA also launched its Climate Ready Guidance, a member resource to help marina operators transition to a low-carbon economy.
