The International Council Marine Industry Association (ICOMIA) plays a big role in the marine industry internationally and thanks to an investment shared by the association and individual members, NZMOA has had a seat at its table for more than twenty years.

While NZ Marine is the official member of ICOMIA for New Zealand, NZMOA Executive have contributed extensive time and energy to the Marinas arm of the not-for-profit organisation, which is called the Marinas Group (IMG) Committee Board.

Its stated purpose is to ‘exchange information with respect to the development and best practice management of marinas, boat storage facilities, boating access and associated infrastructure throughout the world’. IMG’s focus is on the end-user, the marina customer, and it works to ‘improve the quality of the recreational boating experience through the development of marinas, yacht harbours, boatyards and small boat launching ramps’.

While most meetings are held on Zoom (in the middle of the night New Zealand time), a number of past and present NZMOA Executive – including Phil Wardale who officially represents New Zealand on the IMG committee, Tom Warren and Tony Arnold, have travelled to attend the ICOMIA International Congress over the years, sometimes self-funded and sometimes funded by the association.

“As you can imagine, these meetings are very collaborative, I bring a lot home with me, and also feel that New Zealand can contribute to the conversation,” says Phil Wardale, who was this year appointed to the International Conference Sub Committee.

He says content he most benefited from at this year’s conference included the part technology plays and is going to play in our industry through the development of the Smart Marina, global initiatives such as decarbonisation of the industry, collaboration with government, and developed markets sharing learnings with undeveloped markets.

“Many of us are working towards these ideals and on any topic there are ideas that suit New Zealand, and ideas that don’t. Above all they have showed me the importance is always on people. Even with the best technology, you can’t do anything without really good people.”

“NZMOA and NZ Marine are playing a leading role in a global industry, and we are proud of what we have done and continue to do,” says Phil.

NZMOA also thanks ICOMIA President Darren Vaux for his regular visits to New Zealand and support of the industry.

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