The Marinas 2011 International Conference and Exhibition is being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 20-22 June 2011. Held every two years for the last six years the event has gone from strength to strength with the last event attracting over 400 participants. 20% of participants come from destinations outside Australia.
International Marinas Conference and Trade Show Australia - Credit Marinas 2011
The event not only attracts marina investors, owners, operators and staff but also those from related marina businesses such as boat yards and workshops. Government agencies that deal with marinas have a strong presence as do marina consultants and marina industries businesses that provide products and services to marinas
The theme of Marinas 2011 is ‘new horizons’. There will be a focus on the future of marinas in terms of best business practices, innovation, design, sustainability and the wider regulatory and planning environment in which marinas operate.
Joe Ueberroth to Deliver Key Note Address
The Marinas 2011 organising committee is excited to announce that Joe Ueberroth from the USA will be delivering the keynote address at Marinas 2011. Joe is the president and managing partner of Bellwether Financial Group Inc. He has been involved in the marina industry for nearly 20 years having been introduced to it through his involvement in the hospitality industry.
In 1996 he saw the opportunity to apply the hospitality model of management to the marina industry and started a small marina management company called BellPort. Within a few years BellPort had an impressive portfolio of yacht clubs and resort marinas that they managed around the world.
From there his involvement in the marine industry grew. In 2003 Joe was appointed CEO of a public company operating in the travel industry. The company acquired three cruise ship lines, Bellport, some shipyards and Bellingham Marine. In 2009 when Joe left the public company he subsequently purchased all their marine assets. Today all these assets including Bellingham Marine and Bellport are privately owned and Joe is actively involved as Chairman of each of these companies.
Bellwether Financial Group Inc has also invested in numerous technology and agricultural companies including International Greenhouse Products, the largest contiguous greenhouse operation in North America.
Marinas 2011 delegates will be inspired by Joes’ presentation. They will gain valuable insights into successful business operations and the direction of the marina industries into the future.
40% of Exhibition Space Already Committed
The Marinas 2011 exhibition space is filling fast with bookings so far from seven countries. Only 50 exhibition spaces are available and 40% of available space is already taken. The popularity of exhibiting at the International Marinas Conference and Exhibition is due in part to the very targeted nature of the event.
Marinas 2009 exhibitor Bettina Crafoord of Brownell Boat Stands said they are again exhibiting because they know they’ll be speaking to the key decision makers in their target market. “There is no other way we could as cost effectively get face to face with potential and existing customers and have quality time with them. Marinas 2009 was very successful for us and we’re sure 2011 will also be our best marketing investment for the year”.
