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Innovation and sustainability high on the boating agenda - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter

by Peter Rendle 14 Nov 2024 23:00 GMT
John Hart - Director Tourism Australia, Andrew Scott - BIA, Andrew McKellar - ACCI CEO, Jennifer Low - ACCI Director, Health, Safety, Resilience and Digital © Boating Industry Association

Boating Industry Association CEO Andrew Scott joined Australia's top business minds at the ACCI Business Leaders' Summit in Canberra on 6 November. The event focused on the pivotal themes of Deregulation, Digitalisation and Decarbonisation. The gathering offered a powerful platform for industry leaders and decision makers to discuss strategies for a sustainable, innovative business landscape.

In the USA, the 65th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, held in its namesake city on the Southeast Florida Coast from 30 October to 3 November, welcomed Australia's largest ever contingent to the most prominent in-water boat show in the world. Founded in 1959, FLIBS has grown into a premier global event, displaying some of the world's largest and most luxurious superyachts. The Show boasts over three million square feet of exhibition space across seven locations, attracting more than 100,000 visitors, with nearly half traveling from outside Florida to attend.

Locally, the inaugural Geelong Boat Show, in association with City of Greater Geelong and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, and alongside the Offshore Superboats, will take place over the weekend of 15-16 March 2025. Exhibitors looking to take part in this great opportunity should get their application form completed and in by 26 November. That's just two weeks away so do not delay. A quick exhibitor response is essential for this one, so that the planning for a great boat show can take place.

The Australian Marine Export Group (AIMEX) have announced that registration is now open for an exciting new location for the 2025 Australian Superyacht and Marine Export Conference (ASMEX), scheduled to take place 19-21 May 2025. The new location, confirmed as the Langham Hotel on the Gold Coast, presents an exciting change. The new venue offers a fresh and sophisticated setting with outstanding facilities and stunning beachfront views, enhancing the experience for all attendees.

BIA will host International Women's Day events for Sydney and the Gold Coast on 6 March 2025. International Women's Day is recognised by the UN and can trace its origins to 1911. These gatherings designed to celebrate women in boating and the marine industry will be set at picturesque waterfront venues, and will include engaging keynote speakers and top end F&B. With 50-80 attendees expected at each event, the BIA invite members to partner as sponsors and help support the event's success. This partnership offers a unique opportunity to showcase your brand to business owners, industry leaders, and boating enthusiasts, as well as support women in boating.

Safety is always a major consideration although not all rescues at sea are related to boating. However Marine Rescue NSW's 24/7 search and rescue team enabled its highly skilled volunteers to complete a record 388 missions in October, including 94 emergency responses. This surpassed the previous busiest October record of 384 missions set in 2023. Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said volunteer crews safely returned 875 people to shore during a busy month on the water.

Marine technology company Savvy Navvy has signed Australia-based Paddy Wester as its exclusive Australian and New Zealand distributor, as the company continues to make digital navigation solutions more accessible for boaters. Savvy Navvy is the only navigation app on the market to be sold via distributors, as the 'Google maps for boats' continues to grow globally.

More marine industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com : Oceania-wide news from the largest boating news network, updated daily.

Stay watchful,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media

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