The ICOMIA World Marinas Conference 2025 will take place from 15–17 October in Venice, Italy, bringing together international experts, operators, policymakers and investors to examine global developments in the marina and nautical tourism sectors.
The three-day event will feature a series of sessions and keynote presentations focused on market trends and long-term strategies for the industry.
USA keynote panel announced
The opening ICOMIA World Marinas Conference 2025 keynote will focus on the United States, the largest marina market worldwide. Industry leaders will share insights into the latest figures, trends, and strategic directions shaping the future of American marinas.
Frank Hugelmeyer, president of NMMA and ICOMIA, will provide a global context and outline the sector’s economic impact. Baxter Underwood, CEO of Safe Harbor Marinas, Brett McGill, CEO of MarineMax, and Bryan Redmond, CEO of Suntex Marinas, will each contribute perspectives on consolidation, lifestyle integration, investment and customer-focused strategies. Attendees will also hear how developments in the US are influencing global benchmarks in operations, sustainability and digital transformation. Trump’s trade tariffs are sure to be on the agenda.
Marina accreditation and certification
One of the central themes of this year’s event will be marina accreditation and certification. A dedicated session will explore how structured frameworks in quality, safety and sustainability are shaping operations worldwide.
Experts, including Michela Turchet (RINA), Mieke Vleugels (TYHA Gold Anchor Award Scheme), Johann Durand (Blue Flag), Falk Morgenstern (International Marine Certificate Institute), Audrey Alessandri (M3 Monaco Marina Management) and Dean Smith (D-Marin) will outline evolving criteria, case studies and the practical steps involved in achieving recognised standards, during the session.
The discussion will emphasise the role of accreditation in building customer confidence, meeting environmental standards and ensuring competitiveness.
Marina markets of the world session
The Marina Markets of the World session brings together a lineup of international experts to explore the diverse trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of the global marina industry.
Contributions will include Prof Francesco Di Cesare on Adriatic trends, Suzanne Davies on Australia, Musa Mbhele on South Africa, Klaus “Cacau” Peters on South America, Ekrem Reyhancioglu on Asia, Kenta Inaba on Japan, Khaled Sherif on Egypt and Africa, and Farrokh Golchin on the Middle East.
International perspectives will also be offered by Frank Hugelmeyer, Baxter Underwood, Brett McGill and Bryan Redmond. The session is expected to examine sustainability, digitalisation, and opportunities in emerging markets, with speakers sharing views on operational and investment approaches shaping the sector.
Keynotes
The ICOMIA World Marinas Conference also welcomes industry insiders to deliver keynote speeches.
Baxter Underwood, CEO of Safe Harbor Marinas, will speak on ‘The Future of the Marine Industry – Greater Value for All’, in which he will discuss how marinas and the wider sector can deliver greater value for boaters, communities and stakeholders, drawing on his experience leading the world’s largest marina network. His address will cover customer-centric innovation, infrastructure investment and sustainable practices.
Oliver Dörschuck, CEO of D-Marin, will also provide a keynote focusing on the future of the marine industry and adding value for all.. Appointed in 2021, he brings experience from the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors, and leads D-Marin’s long-term strategy across its international network. His presentation will address the future of the marine industry, including the use of technology and sustainability to set new standards and create added value.
Registration is now live on the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference 2025 website.
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