This year’s 4th edition of the Australian Superyacht and Marine Export (ASMEX) conference was hailed “the next level” of success on previous events. The event was attended by CEO of Gulf Craft, Erwin Bamps, for the third time. Taken place immediately prior to the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, on May 20 and 21, on Queensland’s Gold Coast, the fourth annual conference opened with a clear message from Chairman Richard Chapman “Australia is open for business”, reiterating the words of Prime Minister, Tony Abbott.
Erwin Bamps, Gulf Craft’s CEO, one of the key speakers at the ASMEX 2014
In the opening address Richard Chapman, President of AIMEX, set the scene for the conference, reminding attendees that Australia’s marine sector is worth $AUD7.5 billion annually and employs 29,000 people. “Looking at those figures, it is hard to understand why government does not place more importance on the marine industry,” said Chapman. He went on to suggest the government needed to look at the significant opportunities for growth within the superyacht sector and the very real need to review regulations around luxury yacht chartering to put Australia on a level playing field with South Pacific neighbours.
Erwin Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft, attending the conference for the third time talked about how perceptions of locations can both challenge and benefit a brand. “As a superyacht company you have to compete with both your competitors and your customer’s perception of you and your location,” said Bamps.
Also presenting at the conference was the Australian government representative from Austrade and a representative from Tourism Australia who reinforced to the audience the government’s growing recognition of the importance of the marine sector and the role that they would be playing to help grow the economic return from marine tourism and related businesses. It is critical for the ongoing growth of the superyacht sector that the Australian government understands the significant opportunities to drive the superyacht sector and hence drive revenue for the Australian economy.
