Marina Association name adjustment reflects expanding influence

by MIA on 6 Jul 2012 The former Marina Industries Association of Australia is now trading as the Marina Industries Association (MIA). It was resolved at the Association’s recent annual general meeting that the name of the company the Marina Industries Association of Australia Limited be changed to the Marina Industries Association Limited.

The rationale for the adjustment was to most accurately reflect the Association’s extension of activities into the Asia Pacific region. This is being undertaken according to MIA President Andrew Chapman to sustain and grow the Association’s core education, certification, accreditation, research and industry promotion programs.

'The Association has undergone a period of rapid expansion over the past five years. Under the direction of a stable Board the Association has significantly increased industry participation in training. For example 72 people have completed the Intermediate Marina Management course during this time. An increasing number of education participants are from the Asia Pacific region while the pool of participants from the more mature Australian marina market has plateaued out' he said.

'Association membership has grown from 152 to 216 over this period. For the past two years we have had strong membership growth from the Asia Pacific region. With a rapid expansion of member programs such as industry research, the membership operating costs have naturally grown.

'Five years ago the Association had one full time equivalent staff member and now we have three. Despite a tight rein being kept on costs, a growing Association needs to steadily grow its revenues to maintain its capacity to drive programs that add value to our member businesses. Ongoing education, certification, accreditation, research and membership activities across the Asia Pacific will be essential for the long term financial health of the Association'.

MIA Executive Director Colin Bransgrove said the Board does not see this change as diminishing the Association’s capacity to service the needs of Australian members. 'The name adjustment simply reflects MIA’s strategy to best support all members through the revenue growth linked to the needs of the expanding marina industries across the wider Asia Pacific region'.