Marinas26 recorded its highest attendance to date as marina owners, operators, suppliers and industry representatives gathered on Australia’s Gold Coast from 24-27 May for the Australian Marina Industries Association’s (MIA) biennial conference and trade exhibition. The event attracted a record 385 delegates and a record number of exhibitors, the largest turnout since the conference began more than 20 years ago.
Held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort in Queensland under the theme “Future Smart”, the event focused on technology, sustainability, marina infrastructure and changing market conditions. Delegates attended from Australia, New Zealand, the wider Asia-Pacific region and even further afield, including the Marina World team, who were media partners at the event.
Day one
After the traditional welcome drinks on Sunday evening, 24 May, the conference began on Monday morning with a Welcome to Country ceremony, followed by an address from Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate.
Delegates then heard a presentation on demographic changes from social researcher and demographer Geoff Brailey of McCrindle Research, focusing on the future customers of boating and their needs. NAB senior economist Taylor Nugent then presented an economic forecast covering interest rates, consumer spending and housing dynamics and what these factors may mean for marina owners and operators.
MIA president Andrew Chapman presented key findings from the 2025 Health of the Marina Industry Survey, conducted in partnership with Michigan State University, which estimated that marinas contribute $3.2 billion annually to the Australian economy.
MIA chief executive Suzanne Davies provided an update on the association’s recent performance, key programmes and new initiatives planned for 2026-27 and beyond.
Day one continued with panel discussions and presentations covering a mixture of hands-on and theoretical topics. Representatives from Southport Yacht Club, RMYC Broken Bay and d’Albora Marinas discussed the development of ageing marina assets. A concurrent session focused on marina development experiences in the Middle East, while another covered marina maintenance and asset management.
The day concluded with a keynote from futurist Gihan Perera, who challenged delegates to think about how they could use artificial intelligence to improve their marina operations, followed by a North Harbour Happy Hour with structured networking sessions.
.avif)
Day two
The second day focused on targeted sessions on context and stakeholder alignment, along with practical applications in marina management. Sessions also covered superyacht readiness, insurance and legal strategies for waterfront sites and the future of boatyards.
A group of delegates started 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 a panel examining the competing interests of marina owners and stakeholders. A second panel built on the previous day’s keynote from Gihan Perera, focusing on how artificial intelligence can be applied in marina management.
MIA’s insurance and legal partners discussed approaches to managing risk on waterfront sites, while David Good of Superyacht Australia presented on growth trends and opportunities within the superyacht sector.
The afternoon moved into the Innovators & Start-ups Showcase, in which five businesses presented new solutions in seven-minute pitches. Andrew Hutchinson, marine industry specialist at Invest Gold Coast, chaired the session. Lorraine Yates CMP also led a separate panel examining the future of boatyards.
The day concluded with a presentation from dual Olympic gold medallist and Australian Sailing CEO Malcolm Page OAM, followed by a wrap-up and prize-giving led by MIA president Andrew Chapman AM CMM, ahead of the evening programme sponsored by Marine Structures.
.avif)
Gala dinner and recognition
The Marine Structures Tropical Gala Dinner recognised industry achievements and accreditations.
ReefFloat was named winner of the Innovators & Start-ups Showcase for its entry featuring an ultra-low density, 100-percent concrete float designed as an alternative to expanded polystyrene floats used in marina pontoons, which can break down and create environmental concerns if exposed to water.
Founder, Toby Budd stated: “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.”
Coral Sea Marina received its platinum 5 Gold Anchor re-accreditation, along with Superyacht Ready accreditation. Sixteen Certified Marina Managers also received certificates and pins, presented by certified member chair Scott Finsten CMM.
.avif)
Study tours
Following the gala, many delegates continued the programme at the Red Dog Bar After Party, while others prepared for Wednesday’s study tours, which formed the final part of Marinas26 and were held for the first time as two separate itineraries.
The first tour focused on Gold Coast facilities, including projects along the southern end of “The Spit”, The Boat Works, AkzoNobel’s marine coatings facility and Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard.
The second study tour took place over three days, taking paying delegates to the Whitsundays in northern Queensland. On visits to Coral Sea Marina, Hayman Island Marina and Hamilton Island Marina, delegates explored luxury destination operations, environmental best practices and superyacht services.
Before departing on the Whitsundays tour, MIA chief executive 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.”
.avif)
Images courtesy of Marina Industries Association.
%20(1).avif)
