Australian boating industry associations join forces

Closer national cooperation to promote the boating industry will flow from an agreement signed between the Boating Industry Association Ltd and the autonomous Boating Industry Association of Victoria.

The Boating Industry Association Ltd operates in New South Wales and assumed control in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory. President of the BIA Alan Blake has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BIA Victorian President Mark Crockford.

The new agreement ensures that the two organisations cooperate on national and international policy issues, and on projects and services for their members, such as:
>> National Statistics
>> Increasing Participation in Boating
>> Education and Accreditation
>> Marine Card and Access Management System
>> Timing of Events and Boat Shows

Importantly, the two organisations have agreed to review their activities and utilise wherever possible complementary programs to benefit their members and the boating industry.

"Already the Marine Card concept is being reviewed by the Victorian BIA Education committee and has been discussed with major Melbourne businesses who are enthusiastic to move forward with the program," said John Temple, Chief Executive Officer of the Boating Industry Association of Victoria Ltd

In the meantime, a representative of each organisation will have the opportunity to sit in on the other’s board meetings when invited, among other cooperative actions.

"With new services being developed, and with many issues on the national agenda rather than individual state agendas, it is a good time to be building a closer national relationship," said Howard Glenn, Chief Executive of the Boating Industry Association.

 "We look forward to bringing the talent and energy of the Victorian industry representatives into the national discussions, and to the better services we will be able to offer all our members as a result."

More at the Boating Industry Association.