July 2026 WATERLINE | 9 MARINAS26 WRAP UP it genuinely means for a marina to be superyacht ready in terms of infrastructure, service standards, crew facilities and commercial arrangements. The afternoon featured the Innovators & Start-up Showcase, with five businesses presenting new solutions to industry challenges. Each developer outlined the unique benefits of their solution in a punchy seven-minute presentation. While all were worthy solutions, a live poll of delegates in attendance showed ReefFloat as the showcase winner, you can read more about ReefFloat on page 10. At the same time, Lorraine Yates CMP led a panel of experts including Andrew Chapman AM CMM, Phil Wardale CMM, Julie Cook The Yard Brisbane and Stephen Hosking CMM The Quays on examining the future of boatyards. And in the final conference session, delegates were treated to an address by dual Olympic Gold Medallist and Australian Sailing CEO Malcolm Page OAM that drew strong praise. "Marinas26 was a very well-curated and executed conference with strong content, quality speakers, and a great balance of industry insights and networking. The thought and effort behind the programme and events were very evident." - NICK MCLAUGHLIN, GENERAL MANAGER, ONE°15 MARINA CLUB "The quality of the sessions; the networking opportunities; the structure, organisation and content of the conference; the professionalism of the venue; the attention to detail; and the communication throughout the event was absolutely outstanding." - IRINA ATANASOVA, AUSTRALIA & PACIFIC ISLANDS SALES MANAGER YACHT COATINGS AKZONOBEL Innovators & Start-up Showcase L to R: Chris Mihatov, Harbr; Henry Hooper, Metarina; Andrew Hutchinson,Invest Gold Coast; Toby Budd, ReefFloat; Adam Chanter,Marine Futures; Kristina Agustin,Southern Sky AI MARINE STRUCTURES TROPICAL GALA CELEBRATES INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT The Marine Structures Tropical Gala Dinner, held on the tennis courts of the Royal Pines Resort, brought the Marinas26 conference program to a fitting close. The sell-out event recognised outstanding achievement across the industry, with highlights including: • Innovation Showcase Winner Announced • 5 Gold Anchor Platinum Re-Accreditation and Superyacht Ready accreditation for Coral Sea Marina • 5 Gold Anchor Accreditation for Argo Yacht Club’s Anping Marina. • 4 Gold Anchor Accreditation for Kaohsiung Love River Bay Marina • 16 new Certified Members received their certificates and pins, presented by Certified Member Chair Scott Finsten CMM. The night also provided plenty of entertainment with the State Vs State Big Horn Cleat Off Challenge Grand Final. Gary Mead CMM (NSW) and Glen Scott (QLD) went head to head on stage in the ultimate dockline showdown. After a fiercely contested battle, Gary claimed the title. Congratulations Gary! Following the Gala, many delegates continued the celebrations at the Red Dog Bar After Party, while others rested ahead of Wednesday's facility Study Tours — the final component of the Marinas26 program which for the first time featured two alternative tours, one which took in five superyacht facilities on the Gold Coast as well as the AkzoNobel Paint Training Centre, and a second headed north to explore best marinas of the Whitsundays cruising grounds. Before heading off to join the Whitsundays Study Tour, a somewhat tired, yet excited MIA CEO Suzanne Davies said, “We are absolutely thrilled that we have been able to provide the industry with another great event. We are already working on Marinas28 and look forward to sharing the location and venue before the end of the year.” The MIA thanks all delegates, speakers, exhibitors and sponsors who contributed to Marinas26 being the biggest and best event yet. L-R Gary Mead CMM, Glen Scott, John Hogan CMP
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