27 May 2019
Marina Industries Association (MIA) President Andrew Chapman opened Marinas19 International Conference and Trade Exhibition with a strong address highlighting the need for industry to be on the front foot with specific environmental challenges facing the industry.
300 people have registered to participate in Marinas19 being held on the Gold Coast 27-29 May.
Andrew Chapman highlighted the major problem of degradation of our marine environment and he launched MIA’s policy on the elimination of single plastics.
He said “MIA is committed to providing industry leadership to eliminate single use plastics by 2025 at MIA member marinas through education and information leading to changed business practices and recycling.”
He strongly encouraged marinas to sign up and pledge their support for this policy at the conference or via the MIA website.
Delegates were also given a preview of the just released on-line Club Marina Extreme Weather Preparedness course: a 90 minute on-line training course responding to the increase in extreme weather events around the world.
Based on recent case studies the course outlines best practices in preparing for extreme weather for both marinas and for the owners of boats within marinas. The Course can be purchased by anyone off the MIA website.
All 32 booths at the trade exhibition at Marinas19 have been sold and MIA CEO Colin Bransgrove said demand for booth space was particularly strong from international companies this year.
“There is growing recognition from North America and Europe that MIA provides an effective conduit into the marina industry across the Asia, Australia and New Zealand regions.”
Thirty-one plenary and break-out sessions are planned over the two day conference and on day three 100 delegates will stay on until Wednesday to participate in a detailed study tour of waterways management and the two largest boatyards on the Gold Coast.