Marine13 - book for 'the best B2B event in the region'

by Jeni Bone on 20 Jan 2013 Marine13 is anticipated to be the most important business-to-business event for the marine industry in Australia as well as the SE Asia/SW Pacific region in 2013. The conference will provide an expansive program of more than 50 sessions across two full days, 28-30 April 2013.

According to organisers, BIAA and Marina Industries Association, 'Marine13 will explain current trends in consumer behaviour, examine ways for marine businesses to harness the online world, deliver practical guidance on tackling development and planning problems, show how to drive business from boat show investments, provide tools to connect with non-boaters and convert them'.

With a theme of 'Boating for the Future', Marine13 is all about setting a new course for the industry, providing the resources to stay on track and sustain a successful marine industry.

An extensive panel of highly experienced, knowledgeable and international speakers, from the marine industry, retail, marketing, social media and other consumer sectors, will provide the gamut of practical information and tools relevant to whatever field you’re in.

'If you represent a brand, marina or event, sell B2B, or direct to consumers, you will benefit from the range of expertise of these leading professionals who will be sharing their insight on how to operate in business in a cluttered, complicated environment,' says Nik Parker, general manager at the BIAA.

Marshalling the world’s top marine industry proponents and speakers from diverse business backgrounds to inject some perspective on consumer and global trends – social media, branding, e-tail and demographics – organisers have come up with a program that is replete with insight and information hot and first-hand from the experts.

To date, confirmed speakers include: Everett Babbitt, President & CEO, Bellingham Marine; Malcolm Page, double Olympic Gold medallist, seven-time World Champion 470 sailor and now Yachting Australia Discover Sailing Ambassador.

Peter Corcoran, Director of Maritime Safety, Transport Safety Victoria; Kevin Chandler – founder of Chandler Macleod Group, on hiring and retaining top talent and succession planning; Ian Mayer, MD of Chatswood Toyota, speaking on how to deliver repeat customer business and drive income/profit from the service centre.

Thom Dammrich, President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) will speak on the topic 'Engaging Boaters of Today and Tomorrow'.

Jeff Hoedt – Head of Boating Safety, US Coast Guard, will be speaking on striking the balance between education and regulation and Ed Mahoney, Head of Recreational Marine Research Centre, Michigan State Uni, will present his insight on communicating the economic value of boating.

Darren Vaux, Director of Bobbin Head Marina, will be speaking on managing emergencies, particularly fire; Mark Thompson from NZ Maritime and Peter Keyes of Marine and Safety Tas (MAST) are speaking on fast craft development and human interactions.

John Winning, CEO of Appliances Online will share his intimate knowledge on how he established an online business and built it up from the ground to become arguably one of Australia’s most successful online retailers.

John Spragg, JohnHogan and John La Man will speak on marina maintenance, outlining key considerations and how to evaluate your investment, and Neal Moodie, National Manager Marine Weather Services, BoM, will speak on ocean weather forecasting.

As Principal Partner of Marine13, Transport for NSW will join with other marine safety agencies, including Safety Stream sponsor AMSA, to cover the latest thinking in risk management, commercial vessel regulation and user responsibility.

What Women Want panel discussion
Then there will be an informative and no doubt feisty panel discussion on the crucial value of women and families in the approach of recreational boating and its marketing in a session ambitiously called 'Empowering women in boating: who really makes the decisions?', featuring authors, journalists and researchers.

'There’s a lot more to it than running an ad in pink,' says Darren Finklestein, who will take his place among the female marketing experts on the panel and is quite content to be the 'token bloke'.

Darren runs St Kilda Marina and has been in the brokerage business for 10 years and in boating since he was a boy. He believes boating is egalitarian and doesn’t belong to any or demographic or gender.

'Boating is inclusive. There’s something for everybody and it should be promoted as fun for all.'

As well as operating his brokerage, Darren spent many years in senior management with Apple, one of the world’s most versatile and progressive consumer companies and has written a book called 'Honey, Let’s Buy a Boat' – launched in October 2012 and 'going great guns' – a summation of many years figuring out the ins and outs of what buyers big and small, seasoned and novice want to know about getting in to boating.

Darren admits to being slightly daunted about being on a panel titled 'What Women Want', but he comes well equipped with reams of research and personal coaching from his wife, who works for Women Leadership Australia, an organisation which supports equity and opportunity for women.

'One thing I have learned over the years is that everybody, male or female, is an individual. The onus is on us as skilled professionals to tailor our sales approach to each person, whether they be part of a couple, family or any variation on those.

'It’s really a life lesson, that people come in all varieties and we have to personalise our service to their requirements and preferences.'

The other key member of the panel is Karen Phillips, PR dynamo, professional MC, founder of Early Risers networking events and author of best-selling tome, 'Women’s Words of Wisdom, Power & Passion' – a collection of the advice and anecdotes from 50 of Australia’s best known women, from Wildlife Warrior, Terri Irwin and model, Miranda Kerr to the PM herself.

In demand for her corporate coaching and assistance with branding and strategy with multinationals and businesses all over Australia, Karen has recently completed research on the conundrum of What Women Want from surveys and testimonials from women of all walks of life. She will be a witty and wise panellist with the credentials to shed light on how companies can leverage female consumers appetite for quality, value and family-friendly offerings.

Multiple Delegate Registration Incentive
In response to strong support from the boating, marinas and boating safety sectors for the expansive program of the Marine13 International Conference and Exhibition, organisers are offering a pricing plan to ensure organisations registering multiple delegates benefit from attractive incentives with savings of 10%, 20% and 30% for second, third and fourth delegates from the one business or organisation.

'There will be nowhere else in 2013 to get such a diverse range of business support delivered directly to the industry,' says Nik Parker.

'Being at Marine13 is a must if you are serious about tackling the issues facing our industry – those topics we are continually discussing in the media, in association meetings, in the boat yard or dealership, day-in-day-out.

'See you in Sydney 28-30 April!'

More at marine13.com