The International Marinas Conference and Exhibition called Marinas 2011 is being held in Melbourne 20 – 22 June. With just six weeks to go the Marinas 2011 Committee Chairman Mike Harvey is confident participation will exceed that of the last event held in 2009. “We are getting a strong response from industry and government with registrations ahead of that achieved leading into Marinas 2009. What is particularly pleasing is the breadth of participation with all states, New Zealand and SE Asian Countries represented. The Committee has worked hard to create a program that balances big picture topics with operational matters and industry is responding well to the program mix”. 

Marinas 2011 International Conference and Exhibition attracts big attendance

Harvey said he was also pleased to see the event was attracting a good spread of marina types. “As well as attracting delegates from the larger marinas we are seeing good numbers from smaller family run marinas that consider participation in Marinas 2011 as an essential investment in the future of their business. Delegate numbers from club marinas are also up. The event will provide excellent networking opportunities for all these types of businesses”.                     

The marinas exhibition is a feature of the event and there has been a steady response from suppliers of marina goods and services to participation. According to MIAA Executive Officer Colin Bransgrove the key attractions to exhibitors are the quality of the delegate list and the amount of time the event provides for 1 on 1 sales conversations. John Hogan from Superior Jetties has exhibited at the last four MIAA marina events. “The event has delivered measurable results on every occasion. Results clearly exceed participation costs. The event is a key part of our marketing mix as we know it provides the most cost effective means of meeting with existing and potential clients”.