To take place in Sydney, 28-30 April, 2013, the Marine13 International Conference and Trade Exhibition will be putting the spot light on the barriers to recreational boating. In a major collaborative initiative by the Boating Industries Alliance Australia (BIAA) as well as Yachting Australia (YA), an expert panel will examine not only the factors holding back participation, but also flag strategies to grow the number of boaters across the various boating sectors (sail, power and passive) and by demographic segments.

In 2012 Yachting Australia released the Gemba Report that highlighted the need for the sailing sector, in particular, to look at new ways to attract people into the sport. Ross Kilborn, YA Sport Development Director, said: “The Gemba Report really brought it home that we need to do more to promote sailing: currently sailing is ranked 37th out of 46 sports in both passion and participation, with the most common barrier to entry being the perceived cost of sailing, especially among young families”.

In announcing the panel discussion at Marine13, Darren Vaux, Chairman of the BIAA, said: “We have been working with YA for some time to coordinate our strategies for boating promotion and following the strength of feeling from industry and sailing clubs at the recent International Sailing Summit, we are very pleased to be able to gather together some of the world’s leading proponents of boating promotion at Marine13”.

Drawing on the industry-leading exemplar of the US Discover Boating campaign together with the inspirational performance of the Australian Sailing Team at the 2012 Olympic Games, the panel will hear expert commentary from Thom Dammrich, President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Malcolm Page, double-Olympic and seven-times World Champion 470 sailor. Joining Dammrich and Page will be local and international industry players who have embraced the challenge of innovating their businesses to provide easier and more affordable boating experiences.

All businesses in the boating sector in Australia have a role to play in growing participation and this crucial session on the first morning of Marine13 will set the agenda for industry, recreation and sport development into the future.