Boating Industry Association Elects Tracy Souris as First Female President

by Boating Industry Association 12 May 06:43 BST

The Board of Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA) is proud to announce the historic election of Tracy Souris as its new Board Chair and President.

In a milestone moment for the Australian marine industry, Ms Souris was today unanimously supported by the Board, becoming the first woman to lead the organisation since establishment in 1960.

The election, which saw Ms Souris stand unchallenged, reflects the Board's confidence in her leadership at a time when the industry is a major driver of the Australian economy. The BIA last year reported a national industry turnover of more than $10.2 billion, supporting over 2,000 businesses and employing approximately 35,000 people.

Ms Souris replaced Adam Smith who completed his term after six years' service on the BIA Board, the last two as Chair. Adam hands over to Tracy who currently serves as the Manager of the Sydney Boathouse at Rozelle Bay, one of the city's premier maritime hubs. Her deep operational expertise and commercial acumen have made her a respected figure across the Sydney waterfront and beyond.

Beyond her professional role at Rozelle Bay, she has been a tireless advocate for diversity and professional development within the industry. As the current Chair of the BIA Women in Boating Committee, Ms Souris has been instrumental in creating pathways for women in maritime careers. As Chair of the BIA State Council she has also championed engagement of local businesses in the wider Marine Jobs program.

"Tracy's election as President is a landmark achievement for the BIA," said BIA CEO Andrew Fielding. "She takes the helm of an industry where 75 per cent of our members are small family businesses supporting local communities. Her unique blend of frontline property management and visionary approach is exactly what is needed as we prepare for significant sector growth.

"Adam Smith provided leadership of the BIA during some challenging years, particularly across the boat show landscape, and we sincerely thank Adam for his six years with the Board and also the NSW State Council, and for all he has done for boating."

Under Ms Souris's leadership, the BIA will focus on strategic priorities designed to meet the projected demands of the sector by 2030, including:

• Preparing for an estimated 6 million people participating in boating annually in Australia;
• Supporting the anticipated milestone of 2.9 million Australians holding a boat licence and more than one million registered vessels on our waters by the end of the decade; and
• Overseeing a sector where annual public spend is forecast to reach $20 billion.

"I am honoured to have been entrusted with this role by my peers," said Tracy Souris. "With almost 1 in 5 Australian households already owning a boat or watercraft, our industry is a vital part of the nation's social and economic fabric. I look forward to ensuring boating remains safe, responsible and accessible for everyone as we head towards these significant 2030 milestones."