In order to decide on the Award Winners, the judging panel for the 2012 Australian Marine Export and Superyacht Awards gathered during the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, which has taken place last week.
The Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX) has been facilitating the process of the 2012 Australian Marine Industry Export Awards and the newly introduced Australian Superyacht Awards.
Applications closed on Friday 4th May and the number of applications had increased from 2011 which was a fine effort given the challenging times encountered in 2011.
Judging was conducted on Saturday 28th May during Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Judges Ian Murray, CEO of the Australian Export Institute, John Savage of J.J Savage & Sons, Ken Evans, previously Mercury Marine and currently working in the industry as a consultant, Dugald Anthony from Austrade and Barry Jenkins, a well-known marine industry personality all agreed there was a high calibre of applications received across the seven categories, allowing a fair playing field for all companies.
2012 Award categories are: ‘Most Innovative Marine Industry Exported Product or Service”, “Marine Industry Export Champion”, “Best Marine Industry Export Performance (SMALL EXPORTER / MEDIUM EXPORTER / LARGE EXPORTER)”, “Best Marine Industry Export Marketing Strategy”, “2011 Marine Industry Exporter of the Year”, “2012 Superyacht Industry Business of the Year” and “Superyacht Industry Champion”.
Applications were received from: Aqualuma Marine Lighting, Aurora Yacht Logistics, Australian Superyacht Crew Recruitment & Training, Crew Pacific, Finscan, GME, Hanseatic Marine, Hydrive Engineering, Imaginocean Yacht Design, Marine Technologies, MTU, Muir, Multipanel, Polyflex, Release & Retrieve Boatloatch, Rivergate Marina & Shipyard, Riviera, Ronstan, Sailfish, SOS Marine, Stebercraft, Stormy Australia and VEEM.
The Award Winners will be announced during the Club Marine and AIMEX Networking Function to be held at Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, on August 2nd 2012 (first night of the Sydney International Boat Show).
This event is the annual networking event for AIMEX members and is always an event high on the industry agenda.
These Awards provide a platform for recognition of Australia’s significant position when it comes to marine export companies who showcase innovation, quality and excellence. With the high Australian dollar, high costs of manufacturing and a downturn in the global market innovation is one of the biggest competitive advantages Australian businesses have.
Sponsors of the 2012 Awards scheme include Major Sponsors; Club Marine and Supporters; Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.
The annual Club Marine and AIMEX Awards night is an invitation only event. Invites will be distributed closer to the event date. For further information about the Awards or Function night, please contact AIMEX marketing@aimex.asn.au