4 | WATERLINE September 2026 CEO UPDATE September 2026 It was good to take a breath following the hard work that goes into delivering Marinas26 — though it turned out to be only a quick one. Our biennial conference and trade show requires booking well in advance, given the space needed to run simultaneous trade, exhibition and social programming. I began investigating options for Marinas28 a year ago, and at our recent MIA Board meeting it was resolved that we will return to Brisbane for the event — this time to the exciting new riverside precinct of Queen’s Wharf. It promises to be something totally different again — read more on page 34. Q3 is routinely one of the busiest periods for the MIA, as it’s when our education calendar kicks into full swing, and this year was no exception. I have to single out our Industry Training and Development Coordinator, Lily Peel, for the incredible effort she put into organising ten hugely successful days of educational activity in Perth. The program kicked off with a five-day residential Intermediate Marina Management (IMM) course held at Fremantle Sailing Club, where enrolments reached a record 30 participants — enough that Chris Stone joined Lily to help deliver it. The group was split across two streams to ensure the course didn’t compromise on its educational standards. Such strong numbers made for great networking too, and this cohort will carry the friendships and connections they built for the rest of their days in the industry. Many have already committed to the Advanced Marina Management (AMM) course in 2027, so they’ll get to reunite then. The IMM was followed by a Perth Regional Member Meeting, where marinas from around WA gathered to share updates and hear from the MIA and our sponsors. Friday brought a Study Tour covering new works around WA, including Walcon’s new build at Swan Yacht Club, and a strong focus on dry stack facilities — a drawcard that attracted a full bus load of almost 50 members. And Lily wasn’t done yet: she rounded out her Perth visit with a Straddle Carrier Operation & Maintenance course over the weekend. A huge thanks must go to Lily and Chris, and to everyone who supported the program, including Shelley Grice, of the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA and an MIA Director, who helped rally such strong local attendance and enthusiasm. Thanks also to those who travelled to WA to deliver lectures, including Bruce Birtwistle CMP, Lorraine Yates CMP and Lyndon Turner, plus Steve Ottaway CMM, who — despite being local — seemed to be involved in some way on nearly every single day. Beyond Perth, the quarter also delivered an Advanced Marina Management course in Queensland, Emergency Preparedness and Oil Spill Response training, and several highly relevant and well-attended webinars. Thanks too to everyone who joined us in Melbourne for our Regional Meeting at Royal Brighton Sailing Club. Looking ahead, keep an eye out for expressions of interest on two upcoming study tours: a Manufacturer & Marina Infrastructure Study Tour in November, and a Thailand Study Tour provisionally set for February — read more on page 31. In other news, the MIA is delighted to welcome a new Gold Sponsor: d’Albora Marinas. As by far the region’s largest marina group, d’Albora has grown rapidly since its acquisition by MA Financial — expanding from 10 to 17 marinas — and has made clear its intention to invest further in the support the MIA provides to industry. Our thanks to d’Albora and MA Financial for their support and the trust they place in our association to deliver on industry needs. Outside the MIA bubble, it’s boat show season. On the back of a successful Sanctuary Cove, the BIA Ltd’s Sydney International Boat Show at Homebush was a resounding success, with strong reports of business done. By the time this goes to print, BIAWA will have delivered the Perth Boat Show, and BIAV will be readying for the Melbourne Boat Show, running 15–18 October. It’s great to see our industry remaining so active, despite some economic headwinds. I hope your Q3 has been just as successful, and I’ll look forward to catching up with many of you during a packed Q4! Reliable Barriers for demanding marine environments i i i i i engineered to protect i built to last i Reliable Barriers for demanding marine environments engineered to protect built to last www..marriinaquiip..com
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