8 | WATERLINE July 2026 MARINAS26 WRAP UP of Things (IoT), and drew on lessons from comparable industries such as aviation, hospitality and logistics to bring the implications for marinas into sharp focus. Perera addressed how AI and automation will reshape staffing structures, skill requirements, customer expectations and capital planning over the next five to ten years — positioning technology not as a threat to people, but as an enabler of better outcomes. The North Harbour Happy Hour drew the curtain on Day 1 and, as always, proved a very popular social event for delegates. The structured networking session is designed to help delegates expand their professional networks and offer time to connect over well-earned refreshments. Lucky delegate Phil Wardale CMM rounded out the evening by taking home the lucky door prize — a bottle of 2007 Grange Hermitage. A group of eager delegates began their day 2 with the Walk & Talk Club around the resort, led by Training & Development Coordinator Lily Peel, before joining exhibitors for breakfast on the trade floor. James Tuma of Urbis opened the day's sessions with an insightful panel examining the competing interests of marina owners and stakeholders. Panellists included; Chris Derksema Gold Coast Waterways Authority, Lorraine Yates CMP White Bay 6 Marine Park, Brett Field NSW Government Crown Lands, Brad Couper Marine Financial and Suzanne Davies MIA CEO. Three themes anchored the discussion: what each major stakeholder group actually needs from a marina in 2026 and beyond; how working waterfront uses are faring against mounting housing and mixed-use development pressure on contested urban waterways; and what the long-term viability of privately funded public marina infrastructure looks like as cost and risk profiles shift. As marinas evolve into integrated, mixed-use precincts, the number and influence of stakeholders continues to grow — including governments, landlords, investors, operators, boaters, communities and environmental interests. The panel explored where those interests align, where they collide, and what that means for the future viability of privately funded public marina infrastructure. A second panel, building on the AI foundations laid in Monday's closing keynote by Gihan Perera, focussed on practical applications of artificial intelligence in marina management. Four experts — each focused on a distinct area of AI application in marina operations, shared real-world insights on how artificial intelligence is already being deployed across customer experience, facility management, marina management software, predictive maintenance and operational efficiency. The afternoon of Day 2 saw more concurrent sessions with MIA's insurance (Nautilus Marine Insurance) and legal partners (McInnes Wilson Lawyers) providing expert analysis on managing risk on the waterfront, while David Good of Superyacht Australia delivered a data-rich presentation on the growth and opportunities within the superyacht industry. David provided a frank assessment of what North Harbour Happy Hour Lucky door prize draw, L-R Andrew Chapman AM CMM, Lily Peel, Bryan Finney PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, INNOVATION AND INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP WAS THE FOCUS FOR DAY 2 "Congratulations on such a fantastic event. Marinas26 was the most professionally run, engaging, and fun conference I've been to." - KRISTINA AGUSTIN SOUTHERN SKY AI Superyacht Ready, David Good "Awesome conference, perfectly delivered!" - DAVID GOOD CEO SUPERYACHT AUSTRALIA Malcolm Page OAM, Dual Olympic Gold Medallist & CEO Australian Sailing Context & Stakeholder Alignment - The New Marina Shapers
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