Backing boating

Andrew Fielding grew up around his dad’s burgeoning business Broadwater Marine, spending weekends and afterschool hours boating. After studying tourism and hospitality and furthering his qualifications in maritime logistics and management at the Australian Maritime College, Fielding worked in retail with Anchorline and eventually BLA before returning to the family boat brokerage business for 23 years.

Fielding was BIA president from 2021 to 2023. Before this, he was on the board of the BIA and was the Queensland Council chairman, volunteering his time with the organisation as well as Marine Queensland for 15 years.

The dual focus of the BIA is to support members and advocate for industry, as Fielding explains.

“Now, we have the opportunity to concentrate our efforts  on delivering priorities for members, who are mostly small businesses,” he says, “focusing on careers, promoting boating, government advocacy and delivering programs to support the industry.

“The BIA is not a regulator,” he continues. “Our time is better applied to providing member services, advocating for industry at all levels of government and promoting boating to the public, which every member benefits from.”

BIA advocacy covers working with local, state and federal government agencies to ensure adequate access to waterways, which includes dredging, new and improved maritime infrastructure such as ramps, moorings, marinas, drystacks and boatyards, as well as the promotion of safe, responsible and enjoyable boating, support for marine careers, and working with government on issues that impact boaties like fees, unnecessary red tape and regulatory frameworks and sustainability.

According to the data, more than 90 percent of registered boats are under 6 metres – a far cry from the perception that boating is the domain of large, luxury vessels. “We represent an industry that employs more than 32,000 people and reported a national turnover of AU$10.12 billion in 2023–24,” states Scott.

“At a time when governments need to be supporting small businesses and families are feeling cost-of-living pressures, the work of the boating industry with governments is more important than ever.”

The public face of the BIA is the Discover Boating campaign that promotes the boating lifestyle. Now in its fourth year, the annual national television and social media campaign runs from the start of November to the end of January and aims to inspire people to take to the water in all its many forms.

The 2024 campaign takes on fresh momentum with a push to reinforce the fact that boating is accessible to all. “There are many types of boating and water sports that are open to people for low to no cost,” says Fielding. “From activities at yacht clubs and marinas to learning to sail, crewing and volunteering. The emphasis is on family fun, the health benefits, the connection with community and, of course, the camaraderie.”

Working with schools and educational organisations, the Marine Careers campaign outlines the career and job opportunities for young people or those seeking a change to bluer pastures.

At the 2024 Sydney International Boat Show, the Association hosted Careers Open Days on the Thursday and Friday, involving a record 700 high school students interested in careers in the boating and marine industries.

Over the four-day event, the Discover Sailing & Paddling Hub, located between the ICC and the marina, held free presentations and interviews with sailing proponents, Olympians, adventurers and sustainability advocates.

At the 2024 show, the BIA also hosted a boating conference with 10 meetings and forums involving senior representatives of maritime regulators across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. CEO of ICOMIA Joe Lynch attended a number of these events, representing 40 nations and a global industry worth AU$300 billion.

Off the back of the 2024 Sydney show, exhibitors and stakeholders were invited to a session to discuss their views and workshop solutions. “It was important to hear from exhibitors and members how they think the Boating Industry Association and its event delivery partner Mulpha Events can improve the Sydney International Boat Show,” says Scott.

In 2021, the BIA joined forces with Mulpha Events (owner of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show) to run BIA shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.

“There are as many views as there are exhibitors,” continues Scott. “Our job is to listen, taking criticisms and ideas on board to improve value for exhibitors.”

In their 2025 calendar planning, Scott and Fielding will schedule several further feedback sessions for members in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney, both in person and via online webinars.

Benefits of BIA membership depend on the member’s needs and change as their businesses evolve.

“Some smaller businesses can’t afford to attend the main shows, so we work with them on exhibiting at regional trailer boat shows, or 4WD, fishing and camping shows, where they can meet their local market and get a return on their investment,” says Scott.

Also available to members is access to the Discover Boating program and its collateral; the Marine Card work, health and safety program; compliance and accreditation programs; industry specific insurance; and industry-standard documentation such as sales, consignment and hire agreements, contracts and warranties.

Then there’s the skills and training aspect, which was prioritised in 2023–24 following the results of a member survey that showed 85 percent have job vacancies for an immediate start.

To address the Australia-wide skills shortage, the BIA has partnered with TAFE Queensland and The Industry School (formerly Australian Industry Trade College), which is home to the Boating Industry Academy at its campuses in Robina on the Gold Coast and Cleveland, Brisbane. To cater to demand, the Sunshine Coast campus will join the program in 2025.

“This year, we had a presence at over 20 council- and school-run careers days, conducted multiple tours for careers advisors and students, and teamed up with Superyacht Australia and Marine Jobs in the annual Marine Jobs & Careers Expo in the Gold Coast Marine Precinct in September,” says Scott.

In 2025, these efforts will be expanded. The BIA has taken over running the Marine Jobs brand and programs to support members and industry in reaching jobseekers. Any organisation with a job vacancy can post on the Marine Jobs Facebook page.

From offices at the Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard and BIA Sydney headquarters at the Superyacht Marina in Rozelle, which is open to members for meetings and as workspaces, the BIA is looking ahead to an even more ambitious 2025.

“Our first show is the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart in February,” states Scott. “We’re taking Apprentice of the Year Michaela Douglas and her mum and dad, and working with several Tasmanian members on a pathways event with Tall Ships.”

In addition to the high-profile annual boat shows, rapidly filling the calendar are monthly webinars, in-person events, careers expos, site tours connecting industry and educators as well as networking events.

“We’re passionate about the industry, with a whole-of-industry approach, and we’re both results-driven,” Fielding says of his working relationship with Scott. “We want to see change happen. Evolution will bring huge benefits for everyone.”

discoverboating.com.au
bia.org.au