BIA continues leadership profile at ICOMIA/ IFBSO Congress 2025
by Boating Industry Association 5 Jun 01:26 PDT
23-29 May 2025
IFBSO Executive Directors (from left): Daniel Barkowski, Secretary; Niels Klarenbeek, President; Veda Pretorius, Executive Manager; and Andrew Scott, Treasurer © Boating Industry Association
BIA Executive member Andrew Scott attended the 2025 ICOMIA / IFBSO Congress in Palma de Mallorca held 23 to 29 May. The event attracted 93 delegates from 55 organisations across 26 countries, including 25 boat show representatives.
Darren Vaux, President of ICOMIA and Niels Klarenbeek, President of IFBSO both spoke at the opening session, welcoming guests from all of industry. The mood was collaborative, with a quote.... "We wish world trade was as collaborative as the Global Marine Industry" which was a sentiment agreed with by all.
Andrew Scott said: "For the third year, I have enjoyed the opportunity of representing the BIA and the Australian Industry at this extraordinary event. This year's Congress started with marina visits on Sunday 25 May, travelling the full length of Mallorca and visiting several marinas, and the ICOMIA Marinas Group meeting on the Monday. This was followed by sessions each day through to Thursday that included the following:
- ICOMIA, Technical Committee
- ICOMIA Superyacht Division
- ICOMIA / IFBSO Sharing workshop, BIA presented Sponsorship programs, Marine Card and Marine Jobs initiatives
- IFBSO Executive Committee Meetings and IFBSO Members sessions
- ICOMIA / IFBSO Sustainability, Diversity and Grow Boating committees
- Collaborative / joint Board sessions
- IFBSO Marketing and Show sessions
The week finished with AGMs for both international organisations.
"As Treasurer of IFBSO, I was able to present financials for 2024 and forecasts for 2025, and the completed restructure of IFBSO into a Netherlands entity," Andrew said. "I was also humbled to be nominated and received overwhelming support to become an ICOMIA Director and to become part of the ICOMIA finance committee."
BIA will be providing more information on ICOMIA and IFBSO in future editions of eNews.