Setting the scene for a future-smart industry was the focus for Day 1

After a moving and reflective Welcome to Country, Mayor Cr Tom Tate, one of the Gold Coast marine industry’s greatest champions, officially opened the conference with a welcome address reiterating the industry’s value to the region, before delegates settled in for a packed first day of plenary sessions.

Geoff Brailey of McCrindle Research delivered a compelling demographic portrait of boating’s future customers and their likely needs. NAB Senior Economist Taylor Nugent followed on providing delegates with a view of the economic conditions ahead, covering interest rates, consumer spending, housing dynamics and what these forces mean for marina owners and operators in the years to come.

MIA President Andrew Chapman AM CMM then presented highlights from the 2025 Health of the Marina Industry Survey (HAMIS), conducted by Michigan State University, noting that marinas contribute an estimated $3.2 billion annually to the Australian economy.

MIA CEO Suzanne Davies followed with an update on how the Association is supporting the industry, including new initiatives planned for 2026-27 and beyond.

The afternoon turned to operational practice, with a panel exploring lessons learned from the redevelopment of ageing marina assets, followed by a concurrent session on development experiences in the Middle East, and a dedicated session on marina maintenance and asset management. The day closed with a keynote from futurist Gihan Perera, who delivered a highly entertaining and thought-provoking exploration of how artificial intelligence will impact the future of marinas and boatyards.

The North Harbour Happy Hour drew the curtain on Day 1, with structured networking sessions giving delegates time to connect over well-earned refreshments. Lucky delegate Phil Wardale CMM rounded out the evening by taking home the lucky door prize — a bottle of 2007 Grange Hermitage.

Practical insights, innovation and industry leadership was the focus for Day 2

A group of delegates began the day with the Walk & Talk Club around the resort, led by Training & Development Co-ordinator Lily Peel, before joining exhibitors for breakfast on the trade floor.

James Tuma of Urbis opened the day’s sessions with an insightful panel examining the competing interests of marina owners and stakeholders. A second panel built on Gihan Perera’s Day 1 keynote, focusing on practical applications of artificial intelligence in marina management.

MIA’s insurance and legal partners provided expert analysis on managing risk on the waterfront, while David Good of Superyacht Australia, delivered a data-rich presentation on the growth and opportunities within the superyacht industry. The afternoon featured the Innovators & Start Up Showcase, with five businesses presenting new solutions to industry challenges, before Lorraine Yates CMP led a panel of experts examining the future of boatyards.

Delegates were treated to an address by dual Olympic Gold Medallist and Australian Sailing CEO Malcolm Page OAM that drew strong praise. MIA President Andrew Chapman AM CMM closed out the conference day before delegates prepared for the evening’s festivities.

Marine Structures Tropical Gala celebrates industry achievement

The Marine Structures Tropical Gala Dinner, held on the tennis courts of the Royal Pines Resort, brought the conference program to a fitting close. The evening recognised outstanding achievement across the industry, with highlights including:

INNOVATION SHOWCASE WINNER

The tightly contested award winner, recognised for its eco-friendly, foam-free concrete marina float, was ReefFloat. The buoyance of the unique pontoon solution comes not from plastic foam but from an ultra-low-density concrete core wrapped in a high-strength concrete skin — a float that is inert in the water.

Founder, Tony Budd accepted the award saying, “We set out to solve a problem the industry has lived with for half a century, and to now have that recognised by the industry’s own people means a great deal to us as we move towards full commercialisation.”

5 GOLD ANCHOR PLATINUM RE-ACCREDITATION

Coral Sea Marina, the first marina in Queensland to become a Platinum 5 Gold Anchor Marina was presented with its flags along with its Superyacht Ready accreditation.

CERTIFIED MEMBER PRESENTATIONS

16 new Certified Marina Managers received their certificates and pins, presented by Certified Member Chair Scott Finsten CMM, which included:

Anna Barnes CMO, Davy Yung CMO, Emma King CMO, Jarvis Binkin CMO, Lucas Gander CMO, Tim Fenwick CMO, Alister Copley CMP, Ekrem Reyhancioglu CMP, Keith Hogan CMP, Mark Thompson CMP, Abbalena Whalan CMM, Gary Mead CMM, Kim Passmore CMM, Richard Barrett CMM, Scott Cotton CMM and Tony Bright CMM.

Following the Gala, many delegates continued the celebrations at the Red Dog Bar After Party, while others rested ahead of Wednesday’s facility Study Tours — the final component of the Marinas26 program which for the first time featured two alternative tours, one which will took in five superyacht facilities on the Gold Coast as well as the Akzo Nobel Paint Training Centre, and a second headed north to explore best marinas of the Whitsundays cruising grounds.

Before heading off to join the Whitsundays Study Tour, a somewhat tired, yet excited MIA CEO Suzanne Davies said, “We are absolutely thrilled that we have been able to provide the industry with another great event. We are already working on Marinas28 and look forward to sharing the location and venue before the end of the year.”

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