Pictured (from left): DockPro’s Bianca Barber, Sandra Barber, and BIA’s Andrew Fielding.
The inaugural Sydney Boat Show at Sydney Showground marked a bold new chapter for your association, kicking off the first of our new two-show format. I’m delighted to have received an overwhelmingly positive response from exhibitors and attendees. Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, offered a fresh, dynamic space that welcomed tens of thousands of boating enthusiasts, industry professionals and curious newcomers. With impressive displays and interactive exhibits, the event showcased hundreds of boats, lots of accessories including marine technology. The new venue proved to be a hit, blending accessibility with scale and setting the tone for future shows. A sincere thank you to every business that supported the BIA by exhibiting at this event.
A huge congratulations is in order for the State and overall winners of the BIA Apprentice of the Year Awards. The future of Australia’s marine industry is in good hands if we continue to develop impressive individuals such as these. Equally inspiring was the recipient of the BIA Sustainability Award, whose commitment to eco-friendly practices and forward-thinking design is helping to protect our boating environment. These awards not only honour individual achievement but also highlight the importance of investing in skilled talent and sustainable innovation.
Pictured (from left): DockPro’s Bianca Barber, Sandra Barber, and BIA’s Andrew Fielding.
A milestone gathering was also held during the Sydney Boat Show, with BIA hosting the inaugural Australian Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. It was a resounding success, bringing together stakeholders from across Australia’s outdoor sectors—boating, fishing, camping, caravanning, 4×4, tourism and more. The roundtable fostered meaningful dialogue around advocacy, access to natural spaces, infrastructure development, and environmental stewardship. Attended by the CEO’s of industry associations, the meeting laid the groundwork for ongoing collaborations.
The launch of the Responsible Boat Owner Campaign has received plenty of positive feedback from industry and stakeholders. This national initiative highlights the increasing popularity of boating and demonstrates the need for buyers to make informed decisions when purchasing a vessel. Likewise, the launch of the BIA National Recreational Boating Statement has received widespread support, detailing extensive data and highlighting the opportunities before us for the years ahead.
Lastly, for me, the Sydney International ‘On-Water’ Boat Show is just around the corner, and you will find more information in this edition of eNews.
See you out there,
Andrew Fielding
