The event publicized as the largest recreational marine industries trade event in the Southern Hemisphere was held on the Gold Coast, 3-5 May 2015. 450 participants including 50 trade exhibitors gathered for the three-day Marine15 International Conference and Trade Show at the RACV Royal Pines Resort.
With the theme ‘Boating for the Future’, the conference encouraged delegates, exhibitors and sponsors to drive change in innovation, technology, management, risk management and pathways to success in the boating and marina industries in Australia and beyond.
Industry Specific Knowledge and Statistics
Some of the speakers encouraged the participants to be proactive in creating relationships and in building safer environments for boating.
The keynote speaker in the conference, Bernard Salt from KPMG, challenged the industry to develop a boating narrative to connect with the fast growing Chinese and Indian communities. He also highlighted that the largest demographic group over the next decade will be the 30’s or the young families segment that will need to be enticed by family-friendly boating options.
Howard Glenn, the acting deputy director general at Transport for New South Wales, said boating was a relatively safe activity but every year lives were lost, many of could have been prevented. “There are many good programs being run by organisations in this room, many achieving good results, but together we can achieve so much more,” said Mr Glenn.
Bill Yeargin, president and CEO of US-based Correct Craft highlighted the importance of the marine industry embracing ever increasing change. For example, he forecasts that electric boats are just a decade away, and those who are proactive in anticipating this will have the business advantage.
Marine15 on the Gold Coast Judged the Best Ever
USA speaker Steve Ryder, manager of project development at Bellingham Marine, said the event is one of the best marine industry events in the world. Leigh Francis from All Marine Spares commented on the quality of the delegates and the excellence of the venue for networking and building business relationships. Shelly Grice from the Department of Transport WA, said the event with its three streams of boating safety, boating business and marinas provided delegates with a rich array of topics providing excellent networking and learning outcomes.
Neil Patchett from the Australia and New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group said “the 2015 edition of the event had helped shape the approach to safety for the medium to long term. Marine15 provided a rare and valuable opportunity to learn and share information and innovations in the promotion of safe, responsible and enjoyable boating.”
According to Organising Committee Chairman Jeff d’Albora, the participants experienced what is generally agreed to be the best ever event over its decade-long evolution. “The speakers’ content, trade exhibition and event location have all exceeded expectations.”
Marine17 is being planned for 2017 with a location yet to be announced. Event organisers are expecting to make a decision on the location shortly.
By Andy Kancachian
