Marinas22 International Conference and Trade Exhibition opens to a full house
by Marina Industries Association 23 May 2022 08:10 PDT
23-24 May 2022
The Hon. Michael Healy, Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development © Marina Industries Association
Marinas22 International Conference and Trade Exhibition was opened on the Gold Coast today by the Hon. Michael Healy, Queensland Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development, to a sell out audience of 320 attendees.
Reaffirming its place as one of the largest Marina industry conferences in the world the conference was enhanced by over 50 exhibiting industry businesses.
The trade exhibition had sold out six months prior and the exhibition floor was a hive of excitement, with Marina Industries Association CEO Suzanne Davies saying, "We have received some great feedback from exhibitors already about the business deals being signed and new relationships being developed."
Following the traditional Welcome to Country, delegates received an economic overview and forecast from Tapas Strickland, NAB Chief Markets Economist, and the changing consumer and demographic trends and the opportunities ahead for the marina industry were presented by Ashley Fell, Demographer and Social Researcher and Director of Advisory at McCrindle Research.
Andrew Chapman, MIA President released the findings of the 2021 Health of the Australian Marina Industry Survey (HAMIS) and compared against the decade of data since the study commenced.
Making the trip from the United States, investor, entrepreneur and President and owner of Bellingham Marine Industries, Joe Ueberroth provided a thought-provoking presentation on how marinas can maximise their returns and had many in the room re-evaluating their current business practices and taking on board some of the ideas presented.
Lorraine Yates, General Manager of Sydney Harbour Boat Storage commented, "It was so great to see the industry sharing ideas, reconnecting and reuniting long friendships after a three-year gap between the last Marinas conference. It was an inspiring first day and the program tomorrow looks just as good."
The day ended with the innovation showcase, where five new products were showcased to delegates. Following the session delegates were asked to vote for the product they think will have the most opportunity. The closely run contest will be announced at the lunch break on Tuesday.