Membership Roadshow a winner in regional areas

by Clyde Batty on 22 Jul 2011 Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV) went on the road to regional Victoria centres to provide its members with information, support and assistance. The information sessions were presented by BIAV staff and Board representatives with the assistance of associated partners.

The 2011 Roadshow delivered important documents backed up with the verbal presentation of information that alerted the attendees to some major issues and topics confronting the industry today. It was rewarding to see industry representatives come together to gain an update on how the BIAV is tackling current issues facing the industry.

The success of this year’s show has already instigated plans for more events of this nature in other regional areas of Victoria, with a further plan to run information sessions in Tasmania later in the year. The Roadshow was developed to provide members and industry with the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how BIAV is representing them at Government levels.

The Roadshow commenced in Melbourne before travelling to Geelong, Bendigo and Mornington, updating attendees regarding issues such as grey imports, the recent National Marine Industry Emergency Summit, the recreational boating industry policy and a variety of other topics impacting the marine industry.

BIAV General Manager Clyde Batty believes the Roadshow is imperative to ensuring members are aware of the projects and initiatives the BIAV are consistently working on.

'This was the first Membership Roadshow that BIAV has held in a number of years and it was fantastic to see it received so positively from a wide variety of our membership base. Events like these are a great way for BIAV to update members but also to encourage other non-members to find out more about what BIAV does.' Mr Batty said.

Highlights from the Roadshow included BIAV Grant Liaison Officer Ben Scullin’s captivating address on MIDSHIPs – the Marine Industry Discussion on Strategy, Harmonisation and Investment Policy; which covered the Coalition State Government’s recreational boating industry growth strategy and the fact that in order to sustain and grow our industry through boat ramps and other infrastructure, a substantial investment is necessary. At this stage the Coalition State Government has only allocated $20 million over the next four years.

More at www.biavic.com.au