The Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA) is the peak industry body in Australia that represents the interests of boating. As a not-for-profit organisation formed in 1960 and led by industry for industry, our purpose is to deliver value to the membership. The BIA Team includes experienced marine sector specialists, business managers and professionals who provide invaluable knowledge and capability, and drive our key priorities.
We are fortunate to support a great outdoor recreation industry which generates a multi-billion dollar national turnover, directly employs tens of thousands of people with thousands of contractors. Most of the marine industry is comprised of small family business, employing local workers and supporting local communities where there is high value placed on the benefits of our waterways and the blue economy.
Our key priorities are informed by our members and are aimed at supporting members by: growing participation; advocacy to governments; delivering products and services for members and promoting careers in the industry.
These key priorities are something we share with other member associations and that is why BIA is hosting an Outdoor Recreation Roundtable at the upcoming Sydney Boat Show at Sydney Olympic Park in August. This meeting has attracted the leadership from key organisations that span caravan and camping, to sailing and fishing.
This Roundtable will be the first time this range of member associations involved in outdoor recreation have come together to share experiences, share insights, identify shared opportunities with a view to potential collaborations of mutual benefit. One example is the Australian Fishing Trades Association which is an organisation that BIA has considerable joint interests around boat-based fishing. AFTA is also a member based organisation that represents an industry that turns over more than $10B and employs 100,000 people. When combined, our voice in advocacy matters.
BIA has much to gain from such collaborations that can provide even more horsepower to our strategic key priorities which are our ongoing focus for the benefit of our members and the marine industry.
See you on the water,
Andrew Fielding
CEO, Boating Industry Association
