Mark Richards has been named closing keynote speaker for the Marinas26 International Conference & Trade Exhibition, scheduled for 25-26 May 2026 at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
The event is organised by the Marina Industries Association (MIA) and is held every two years. It is expected to attract more than 400 delegates, including marina and club owners, operators, designers, suppliers and representatives from government agencies. The programme will include presentations, workshops and discussion sessions, alongside a trade exhibition focused on products and services for marinas, boatyards, clubs and dry stack facilities.
Richards, founder and chief executive of Palm Beach Motor Yachts, is also a marina owner and an experienced offshore racing skipper. He will address delegates on leadership, innovation and how marinas need to evolve to deliver services and facilities to future boaters.
Richards stated: “This will be a full circle moment for me. I grew up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and was a dock attendant at the Royal Motor Yacht Club on Pittwater driving the tender and pumping fuel. In the intervening decades I’ve campaigned countless ocean races and designed and built hundreds of boats. Now we’ve bought our 2nd marina, our clear focus is on customer satisfaction. I’m looking forward to Marinas26 and giving back to our industry.”
Richards began sailing in Newport on Sydney’s Northern Beaches at the age of six and later completed a boatbuilding apprenticeship at Sydney Technical College. Over his career, he has competed in two America’s Cup campaigns and, as skipper of Wild Oats XI, led the yacht to nine line-honours victories in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
He founded Palm Beach Motor Yachts in 1995, and the company now operates within the Grand Banks Yachts group. In June 2025, the group acquired Casey’s Marina at Spring Wharf in Newport, United States.
MIA president Andrew Chapman AM CMM said: “To once again close our conference with such a relevant and inspiring leader is a tremendous opportunity for our delegates. Mark brings not only deep industry insight, but also serves as a powerful role model, demonstrating that our sector offers outstanding career opportunities and diverse pathways to success for those who choose to pursue them.”
