Sunday
24 May 2026
Certified Members
12:00 – 17:00
Certified Members Meeting
Join us for the 2026 in-person Certified Members Meeting at the Royal Pines Resort. The meeting will be followed by the Marinas26 welcome function and networking event.
Evening — Welcome Function
From 20:30
Casual Dining at Leisure
Enjoy dinner at any of Royal Pines Resort's restaurants — Tees' Club House, Amici (Italian), Arakawa (Japanese) or the Red Dog Bar. Reservations made directly with the hotel.
Monday
25 May 2026
Morning Warm-Up
06:45 – 07:15
Walk & Talk Club
A relaxed and enjoyable way to network and connect with fellow attendees before the day kicks off.
07:45 – 08:45
Delegate Arrival, Registration & Exhibition
Collect your delegate satchel and pass. Exhibition open from this time.
Opening Ceremony
08:30 – 08:40
Welcome to Country
Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre — the Traditional Custodians give their blessing to the event taking place on Country.
08:30 – 08:40
Delegate Welcome & Housekeeping
Karen Baldwin — Conference ChairConference Chair Karen Baldwin welcomes delegates and runs through the formalities.
08:40 – 09:00
Official Welcome Address
Official Conference Opening Address & Welcome from a QLD Government Representative.
Conference Sessions — Plenary
09:00 – 09:50
Planning for 2035: Demographic Insights Shaping the Future of Boating
Geoff Brailey — McCrindle ResearchLeading social researcher Geoff Brailey explores key demographic trends reshaping Australia and the Asia-Pacific — and what they mean for marina owners and operators over the coming decade.
09:50 – 10:40
Morning Tea with Exhibitors
Sponsored by MIA Gold Sponsor — Marine Structures10:40 – 11:30
Economic Forecast
Taylor Nugent — NAB Senior EconomistNAB Senior Economist Taylor Nugent outlines the economic and financial forecasts and their impacts for the marina industry.
11:30 – 12:05
2025 Health of the Marina Industry Survey (HAMIS)
Andrew Chapman AM CMM — MIA PresidentMIA President Andrew Chapman AM CMM delivers the key findings of the 2025 Health of the Industry Survey.
12:05 – 12:25
MIA Supporting Industry
Suzanne Davies — MIA CEOMIA CEO Suzanne Davies provides an update on MIA performance and upcoming initiatives.
12:25 – 13:40
Lunch with Exhibitors
Government Forum (closed, registered government employees only): A collaborative peer-to-peer session in the Jacaranda Room focused on regulatory, operational and policy matters impacting maritime assets and waterway management.
Sponsored by MIA Platinum Sponsor — Bellingham Marine13:25 – 14:40
Lessons Learned — Redevelopment of Ageing Marina Assets
James Burbury — Chair
Brett James (SYC)
Jayson McDonald CMM (RMYC)
Nick Smith (d'Albora)
Julien Pouteau (d'Albora)Marinas built in the 1980s–90s are reaching the end of their design life. This practical panel explores lessons from full-scale redevelopment — covering what worked, what didn't, and how to maximise long-term return on investment.
Concurrent Sessions — 14:50
14:50 – 15:25
🏛 Elite Dynamics Room
Lessons Learned — Development in the Middle East
Farrokh Golchin & panelUAE professionals share key lessons from planning, developing and operating world-class marina infrastructure — from luxury real estate to climate resilience.
⚓ Hamilton Island Room
Marina Maintenance & Asset Management
Les Binkin CMM — Chair
Martin Silk
Dave Whimp
Bruce Birtwistle CMPA practical panel covering the full spectrum of marina maintenance — routine works, electrical challenges, dredging, condition reporting, and strategies to protect asset value.
15:25 – 16:00
Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors
Sponsored by MIA Insurance Partner — Nautilus Marine InsuranceDay 1 Keynote
16:00 – 17:10
AI Future in Marinas & Boatyards
Gihan Perera — FuturistFuturist Gihan Perera explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping operations, customer experience, asset management and workforce capability across the global marina sector — challenging operators to think beyond automation and toward strategic transformation.
Evening
Tuesday
26 May 2026
Morning Warm-Up
06:30 – 07:30
Walk & Talk Club // Morning Yoga
A relaxed and enjoyable way to network and connect with fellow attendees.
Yoga sponsored by Sanctuary Cove MarinaConference Sessions — Day 2
08:00 – 09:00
Breakfast with Exhibitors
Breakfast served in the exhibition halls. B&E rolls and lucky door prize draw to start the day.
09:00 – 10:15
Marina Panel
James Tuma — ChairA diverse panel of experts in designing and operating marina precincts — from stakeholder engagement and market analysis, to ensuring facilities deliver both the infrastructure and service that Future Smart customers expect.
10:15 – 11:15
AI — Practical Applications for Marinas
Gihan Perera — Chair
James Roy CMM (One15 Marina)TG
Tevz GroglGihan Perera moderates a dynamic discussion on how AI is already being applied across marina operations, customer engagement and asset management — moving beyond theory to showcase real-world examples and immediate opportunities.
11:15 – 12:00
Morning Tea with Exhibitors
Sponsored by MIA Gold Sponsor — Pelagic Risk ServicesConcurrent Sessions — 12:00
12:00 – 13:00
🏛 Elite Dynamics Room
Superyacht Ready
David Good — CEO Superyacht AustraliaDavid Good provides updates on opportunities in the superyacht sector and what it truly means for marinas to be superyacht ready.
⚓ Hamilton Island Room
Risk on the Waterfront — Insurance & Legal Strategies
Lyndon Turner — Nautilus Marine Insurance
Tim Smith — McInnes Wilson LawyersMIA's Insurance & Legal Partners discuss existing and emerging risks in marina operations — legal trends, how the insurance market is responding, and how marinas can mitigate risk.
Concurrent Sessions — 13:00
13:00 – 14:00
🏛 Elite Dynamics Room
Innovators & Start-Up Showcase
Andrew Hutchinson — ChairFive new marina solutions pitch in seven minutes each. Delegates vote for the product with the best chance of commercial success — winner announced at the Gala Dinner.
⚓ Hamilton Island Room
The Future of Boatyards
Andrew Chapman AM CMM
Lorraine Yates CMPTwo of the industry's foremost boatyard professionals lead a discussion around boatyard management, changes in technology and equipment shaping the next generation of facilities.
14:00 – 14:55
Lunch with Exhibitors
Sponsored by MIA Silver Sponsor — Marine TechnologiesDay 2 Keynote
14:55 – 15:55
Line Honours — Leadership, Innovation & Success
Mark Richards — Maritime Legend & Marina OwnerRenowned maritime leader, boatbuilder and ocean racing legend Mark Richards shares unique insights from decades of leadership in marine design, innovation and competitive sailing — and how marinas need to evolve to deliver the best services to future boaters.
15:55 – 16:15
Conference Close — Wrap Up, Thanks & Prizes
Andrew Chapman AM CMM — MIA PresidentGala Evening
18:30 – 22:30
Marine Structures Gala Dinner
Celebrate the industry's achievements and the connections formed throughout the event. Innovation Showcase winner announced tonight. Formal attire.
Sponsored by Marine Structures22:30 – Late
After Party — Red Dog Bar
Delegates are invited to keep the night going at the Red Dog Bar for the official Marinas26 After Party.
Study Tours
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Extend your Marinas26 experience with an exclusive study tour. Limited places available.
27 May 2026 — Day Trip
Gold Coast Local Study Tour
Departing from RACV Royal Pines Resort, delegates visit Mantaray Marina & Residences, Main Beach Superyacht Marina, Marina Mirage, The Boat Works, AkzoNobel's marine coatings facility, and the award-winning Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard. Includes site access, expert insights and a networking lunch overlooking The Boat Works' superyacht basin.
Download Brochure ↗27–29 May 2026 — Limited to 30 delegates
Whitsundays Study Tour
Over two days, visit Coral Sea Marina, Hayman Island Marina, and Hamilton Island Marina — exploring luxury destination operations, environmental best practices, and superyacht services. Features guided tours, on-water and island transfers, premium accommodation and hosted meals. Once places are filled, no further bookings accepted.
Download Brochure ↗Speakers
Marinas26 · 2026
Andrew Chapman AM CMM
HAMIS — Day 1
Future of Boatyards — Day 2
Future of Boatyards — Day 2
James Burbury
Ageing Assets Panel — Day 1
Brett James
Ageing Assets Panel — Day 1
Farrokh Golchin
Middle East Panel — Day 1
Les Binkin CMM
Marina Maintenance — Day 1
Martin Silk
Marina Maintenance — Day 1
Dave Whimp
Marina Maintenance — Day 1
Tevz Grogl
AI Applications Panel — Day 2
Andrew Hutchinson
Innovators Showcase — Day 2