As we approach the second half of 2025, it’s inspiring to see the momentum building across our industry. The next few weeks and months promise significant events and valuable opportunities for BIA members.
One of the biggest highlights on the horizon is the Sydney Boat Show, set for August 14-17. The excitement is building! Exhibitor space in the Halls sold out weeks ago, and ticket sales are tracking well above last year, a testament to the new format and our robust marketing efforts, including upcoming TV and radio campaigns. Keep an eye out for special ticket offers for BIA members, arriving in your inboxes this week, and your welcome to join our pre-show activation day with Anaconda, Sea-Doo, and GMSV this Saturday, August 2nd.
We’re also delighted to announce the extension of our partnership with Repco Commercial as a Preferred Supplier Partner. This means continued access to preferential pricing, exclusive product offers, dedicated account management, and valuable training sessions for BIA members. This collaboration truly delivers tangible benefits to your business.
Member value remains a core focus, and I’m pleased to share that our BIA Member travel insurance program now includes cover for peer-to-peer car hire platforms. This is another example of how we’re working to enhance the benefits of your membership.
The industry’s pulse is strong, as evidenced by the solid response to our State of Industry survey 2025. We received over 200 responses, providing invaluable insights that will inform our work on your behalf; it will launch at the Sydney Boat Show’s official opening.
On the workforce front, our Marine Jobs Facebook Group has surged past 6,000 members, connecting talent with opportunities across the sector. We also had a strong presence at the AFTA Tackle Show, played a key role in the inaugural Brisbane Maritime Careers Day, actively promoting marine career pathways and hosted a national Jobs & Skills Council event.
Lastly, a reminder to register for our upcoming BIA Webinar, “Building teams that deliver great service and real results,” on 31 July. This free session with Steve Sapsford from Elitecorp is an excellent opportunity to gain actionable strategies for your business.
There’s so much happening, and I encourage you to delve into the articles below for more details on these developments and important industry updates.
Andrew Fielding
CEO, Boating Industry Association
