The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and Sinoexpo Informa Markets have announced the main preliminary programme for the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference 2027 (IWMC2027), which will take place in Shanghai, China, from 30 March-2 April 2027.

ICOMIA

With industry representatives from more than 30 countries expected to attend, the biennial conference will explore marina investment, development, operations and innovation under the theme “Connecting Globally to Develop Marinas that Enhance Waterfront Communities and Drive Economic Growth”, with discussions also looking at the role of marinas in tourism, leisure, commerce and residential living.

The 2027 edition will be the first ICOMIA World Marinas Conference held in mainland China, reflecting the Asia-Pacific region’s growing influence in the recreational boating and marina market. Organisers cited Shanghai’s location in the Yangtze River Delta, together with its port infrastructure and waterfront developments, as reasons for choosing the city.

Built around the pillars of global connectivity, waterfront communities and economic growth, the two-day main conference will feature expert sessions, case studies and workshops across different areas of the marina sector.

Ahead of the main conference, participants arriving on 30 March will have the option to visit the China International Boat Show 2027 and take part in a city orientation before an evening welcome reception.

Day 1 – 31 March 2027: The conference will open with a formal ceremony, followed by the first session, “Unlocking Growth in Asia”, which will examine the different development paths across regional markets. Later discussions, including “Master Planning for Marinas” and “Repositioning Existing Facilities”, will draw on international case studies to examine both greenfield developments and brownfield transformations.

1 April 2027 will be a “mid-conference” day, including tours of Shanghai’s marina facilities and a dedicated commercial programme. The day will also feature business-to-business matchmaking opportunities designed to connect international investors with regional projects.

Day 2 – 2 April 2027: The programme will turn to business fundamentals and future industry trends, with sessions covering “Marina Business Models and Investor Requirements”, “Marinas as Economic Drivers” and “Commercial Performance and Revenue Optimisation”. The programme will also feature the dedicated “Marina Operations Best Practice Workshop”, alongside case studies on workforce training and customer experience. 

Afternoon sessions will include “Environmental Leadership in Marina Design and Operations” and “Shaping the Future of Marinas Through Innovation, Technology and AI”, which will address sustainability and technological developments transforming the sector.

Participants will also have opportunities to exchange ideas outside the conference sessions, including during a gala dinner and awards presentations.