ASMEX 2026 (The Australian Superyacht, Commercial Marine and Export Conference) returned to The Langham Gold Coast at the end of May, following a successful debut in 2025.
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A Focused Speaker Programme
Now in its fifteenth year, ASMEX, the 2026 program was delivered in a two-day format, with a focused afternoon of speaker sessions followed by the Australian Marine Industry Awards Gala Dinner on Tuesday, and a full-day industry tour on Wednesday to Volvo Penta’s Headquarters and Training Facility.
The focused speaker program examined the forces shaping business and industry performance, with sessions providing practical insights and forward-looking perspectives, equipping delegates with knowledge relevant to operating in an evolving global landscape.
Peter Munckton, Chief Economist at Bank of Queensland
Peter Munckton, Chief Economist at Bank of Queensland, led the sessions, providing insights into Australia’s current economic conditions and outlook. A valued returning speaker at ASMEX, he delivered a clear and considered perspective on both global and domestic trends, offering important context for business planning and investment decisions.
Latest Superyacht Visitation Data
Grounding the conversation in industry-specific content, David Good, CEO of AIMEX, Superyacht Australia and ACMG, shared the latest superyacht visitation data. He acknowledged the current realities impacting superyacht visitation, noting that global uncertainty and ongoing conflict are influencing not only current activity but vessel confidence and forward planning for the region in the immediate future.
Shifting to an engaging session on people and performance, Mick Colliss shared an enticingly humorous story of his life journey and determination to represent Australia. He shared a captivating personal journey of persistence, staying positive, great mateship and never giving up on achieving his goals.
Sarah Colgate, Founder of Experiences & Profitability Co
Sarah Colgate, Founder of Experiences & Profitability Co, and Board Member of Gold Coast Waterways, brought practical and results-focused strategies to help businesses better connect with their audiences in a competitive marketplace. She highlighted the importance of clearly identifying who your customer is, understanding why they are buying, and what ultimately moves them to act.
Kristina Agustin, Founder of Southern Sky AI and Australian Marine Industry Awards Judge
Rounding out the speaker program, Kristina Agustin, Founder of Southern Sky AI and Australian Marine Industry Awards Judge, delivered a highly practical update on the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on business. Drawing on her experience across the marine sector, she highlighted how quickly AI capability is advancing and how organisations are still struggling to convert adoption into measurable value.
The Australian Marine Industry Awards Gala Dinner
The Australian Marine Industry Awards Gala Dinner followed, commencing with Mayor Tom Tate’s ASMEX reception, creating a valuable opportunity for delegates to catch up and make new connections, before moving into the ballroom to celebrate the excellence and achievements of Australia’s marine industry alongside their peers.
A Full Day Tour
Delegates returned on Wednesday, 20 May, for a full-day tour hosted by Superyacht Australia and Australia Commercial Marine Group (ACMG) Member, Volvo Penta Oceania. The day commenced at the Wacol Factory with an introduction to the Volvo Group, offering insight into its extensive Australian manufacturing operations, which were established in Australia in 1969 and contribute more than $400 million annually to the national economy.
An in-depth tour of the Wacol factory floor covered every stage of the production line for Australian-made Volvo and Mack trucks, purpose-built for local conditions. The tour provided a clear view of Volvo’s precision engineering, quality and reliability across the full manufacturing and innovation processes on site.
Delegates then visited Volvo Penta’s new Oceania Headquarters, where presentations outlined the company’s marine and industrial divisions, as well as its subsidiary Humphree, also an ACMG Member. At this developing location, guided tours, product displays and interactive Q&A sessions were complemented by networking opportunities and a hosted lunch with the Volvo Group team.
William Bratt, Director Marine Sales & Marketing at Volvo Penta Oceania
William Bratt, Director Marine Sales & Marketing at Volvo Penta Oceania commented on the value of industry collaboration; “It was a pleasure to welcome such a strong group of industry professionals and showcase both the local production of Volvo and Mack trucks, as well as our new Volvo Penta Oceania headquarters and training facility.
The day highlighted the importance of innovation, local capability, and collaboration across our industry. It was fantastic to connect with so many passionate people, and we believe that together, through strong partnerships across our network, we can continue supporting the growth and future of the Australian marine industry. We look forward to collaborating with you all moving forward.”
Brad Marsden, Director of Marine Air Flow International (MAFI) and AIMEX Board Member
Brad Marsden, Director of Marine Air Flow International (MAFI) and AIMEX Board Member attended the factory tour alongside members of his team and commented; “I was fortunate to join the yard tour of the Volvo Australia facility, visiting the production and assembly lines. It is always eye opening to share what challenges have existed and how they managed to overcome them, along with what works in training, improving efficiency and most importantly retaining our highly skilled and valuable employees.
We learnt what it is like to work in such a large historical group and how Volvo retain and keep their people globally – the scale is beyond what most of us had any clue about. Many of their team have been with the group for multiple decades, which says a great deal about the culture of the group.
But the main item that is frequently missed in discussions is the networking that takes place at these yard tech tours. You just never know who you will sit next to be it on the bus or at lunch or just roaming around. These casual conversations often become high valued connections that you just cannot put a value on. Given the opportunity MAFI regularly take several of our team on these journeys as it’s a great way to see, share and hear simple improvements that can be easily implemented into our own operation with little effort.”
ASMEX 2026 Reinforces its Role
Across both days, ASMEX 2026 reinforced its role as a key meeting point for the marine industry, fostering collaboration, strengthening relationships and highlighting the innovation and expertise driving Australia’s international reputation.
AIMEX extends its appreciation to all partners, sponsors and supporters whose ongoing commitment ensures the continued success of ASMEX and its role in supporting industry growth and connection.
MAJOR PARTNERS – Invest Gold Coast, Queensland Government and Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
PARTNER – Volvo Penta
AWARD PRESENTING PARTNERS – Bank of Queensland, Hamilton Island, Marine Futures, Main Beach Superyacht Marina, Rivergate Marina & Shipyard and TAFE Queensland
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