Marinas8 Conference

14 February 2005

Marinas8 Conference to top off Auckland’s Maritime Festival

The Australasian marina’s conference will “put the icing on the cake” of the Auckland Maritime Festival this year, according to Phil Wardale, Marinas8 organising committee member.

The Marinas8 conference, 15 – 17 March, held at the fabulous Hilton hotel, overlooking Auckland Harbour, will not only give Australasian marina operators the ability to meet and network together, it will also allow local operators the ability to showcase Auckland’s impressive marina facilities. The conference includes a boat tour of Auckland’s marina infrastructure, including our extensive and comprehensive storage and maintenance facilities.

Marinas8 boasts an impressive line-up of speakers, including Jim Frye of the Association of Marina Industries, who will talk on the recent merger of Marina Operators Association of America (MOAA) and International Marina Institute; and Gene Spinazola whose firm specialises in safety assessment and development of emergency services specifically for the marina industry.

Also appearing is Captain Rod Short, the Chairman of the Aseanarean Yachting Academy and manager of Raffles Marina (Singapore) who will discuss how Raffles Marina and the other operators in South East Asia attract the world's cruising vessels.

These speakers are world leaders in their respective fields and it will be a pleasure to host such industry leaders in New Zealand. The importance of marinas in the overall marine industry is often forgotten, says Phil Wardale. “This event is intended to remind the industry of the part we play. The conference will also seek strategies to allow New Zealand to continue to remain a ‘must see’ destination for the world’s cruising fleet. The country’s marina and maintenance facilities need to be world class if New Zealand is to remain a competitive option for these cruising fleets.

“An average of over 500 cruising vessels and super yachts visit New Zealand each year, providing over $50 million in export earning for the country through maintenance/refit services and general expenditure of these vessel’s owners.

“Among other issues that will be covered during the conference will be day to day operational aspects such as insurance, marina pollution, dry stacking, and how our neighbours in areas such as South East Asia attract cruising vessels.

Mr Wardale said without valued sponsorship the event would not be able top proceed and New Zealand marinas would miss out on valuable education from their fellow Australasian operators and the world authorities that will present at the conference. Sponsorship by Bellingham Marine (the largest provider of marina infrastructure) and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has been invaluable.

ENDS

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