Monday
25 May 2026
Morning Warm-Up
07:45 – 08:30
Delegate Arrival, Registration & Exhibition
Collect your delegate satchel and pass. Exhibition open from this time.
Opening Ceremony
08:15 – 08:30
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
Conference 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
Leading 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 Marine Structures
10:40 – 11:30
Economic Forecast
NAB Senior Economist Taylor Nugent outlines the economic and financial forecasts and their impacts for the marina industry.
11:30 – 11:50
2025 Health of the Marina Industry Survey (HAMIS)
MIA President Andrew Chapman AM CMM delivers the key findings of the 2025 Health of the Industry Survey.
11:50 – 12:10
MIA Supporting Industry
MIA CEO Suzanne Davies provides an update on MIA performance and upcoming initiatives.
12:10 – 13:25
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 Bellingham Marine
13:25 – 14:35
Lessons Learned — Redevelopment of Ageing Marina Assets
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 — 14:45
14:45 – 15:45
🏛 Elite Dynamics Room
Lessons Learned — Development in the Middle East
Farrokh Golchin & panel
UAE professionals share key lessons from planning, developing and operating world-class marina infrastructure in a highly competitive, fast-growth market.
⚓ Hamilton Island Room
Marina Maintenance & Asset Management
Les Binkin CMM
Chair
Martin Silk
Dave Whimp
Bruce Birtwistle CMP
A practical panel covering the full spectrum of marina maintenance — routine works, electrical challenges, dredging, condition reporting, and strategies to protect asset value.
15:45 – 16:20
Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors
Sponsored by Nautilus Marine Insurance
Day 1 Keynote
16:20 – 17:30
AI Future in Marinas & Boatyards
Futurist Gihan Perera explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping operations, customer experience, asset management and workforce capability across the global marina sector.
Evening
