Marina Industries Association opens submissions for Innovation Showcase

Australian industry association, the Marina Industries Association (MIA), has opened submissions for the Marinas24 Conference and Exhibition Innovation Showcase.

The biennial Marina Conference and International Tradeshow, which takes place for the second time at the Royal International Convention Centre (RICC) in Brisbane from 27 to 28 May 2024, brings together between 300 and 400 delegates, comprising the region’s leading marina and club operators, owners, and vendors, along with relevant government agency representatives.

The Innovation Showcase will be held as the last session on the first day of the conference. Up to seven products will be invited to participate, with each business delivering a seven-minute presentation where the product developer outlines the unique benefit of their creation. A live poll of delegates will be taken to determine the overall Innovation Showcase winner.

“The showcase plays an important role in providing the industry with new solutions to existing problems,” says Marinas24 Conference chair Mike Harvey CMM, who says last year’s inaugural edition was a success. “The format also allows for smaller businesses, who may not have the resources to exhibit, to still have their solutions exposed to the decision makers of the marina industry.”

At Marinas22, the 2022 Innovation Showcase winner was Paul Williams’ Man Overboard Marina Alarm System.

“I was honoured to be chosen as the winner of the Innovation Showcase, to receive recognition from the industry for my invention was heartening,” says Williams, who says he strongly encourages businesses to participate in the showcase. “Presenting our safety system to marina operators and decision-makers has opened many doors for us and raised much-needed awareness towards our cause.

“If you have a new and innovative product, I believe there is no better platform than participating in this showcase.”

Those who wish to apply for the Innovation Showcase should contact Ed Shute, Marina Industries Association membership and programmes manager. In the email, submit a brief outline of the product or service, its features and benefits and how this product will change the industry.

The Marinas24 committee says it will consider all applicants and determine the participants selected to present at Marinas24.

Main image: Marinas22 Conference 2022. Photo: Cam H / Event Photos Australia