Sail Melbourne to bring sport and industry together

SAIL Melbourne will see sport and industry join forces for the 10th International Sailing Summit (ISS), to be held at Sandringham Yacht Club from 8-10 November as part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup, Sail Melbourne.

The International Sailing Summit is a worldwide industry forum bringing together the best in the business. Its aim is to promote sailing on a global scale and in particular this year to drive positive change through challenging times, with the vision to take the sport of sailing to new realms.

ISS Founder Alistair Murray said: “The Summit is a vital addition to this year’s Sail Melbourne, with an important line up of key speakers who will be sure to inspire all those in the industry.”

Presented by the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIA), the event will offer the perfect forum for the best in the business to discuss the opportunities for the sailing industry after the financial uncertainty of recent years.

CEO of the BIA Clyde Batty said: “We are looking forward to connecting with the sailing industry through this year’s Summit and making a positive impact on the future of this exciting sport.”

An extensive programme is planned for the week, featuring a series of activities with different focuses all aimed at increasing knowledge and developing closer relationships between the sport and its related industries.

Tuesday will see attendees come together at the International Sailing Summit Conference, held at Sandringham Yacht Club. Industry experts including Darren Vaux, Marine Industry Chairman of the Boating Industries Alliance Australia and Olympic gold medallist Mark Turnbull will present their success stories from the world of sailing and other sports and their visions for the future.

CEO of Seawind Catamarans Richard Ward and Peter Conde, Program Director of the High Performance Unit, Australian Sailing Team will show attendees how companies and specific programs are growing the sport and improving returns. Director of marketing consultancy firm, The Gemba Group, Rob Mills will present his recommendations for increasing participation in sailing.

The conference will also feature panel discussions and case study presentations followed by an evening event that will form part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Official Dinner.

Industry Day on Wednesday will showcase Victoria as a hub for professional sailing and development, involving a selection of site visits to Victorian-based yacht clubs, marinas and key sailing industry manufacturers as part of the Industry Showcase Program.

On Thursday attendees will be treated to the Sailing World Cup Experience, involving lunch at Sandringham Yacht Club and the opportunity to watch the world’s best Olympic Class athletes in action out on Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay as part of the opening leg of the ISAF Sailing World Cup.

Another coup for the Summit is the announcement of 2010 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, Tom Slingsby as this year’s event Patron. 

“I am very proud to have been asked to be a part of this year’s Summit. It is vital to the future success of sailing that the industry and sport come together," said Slingsby.

“The current business environment has been tough on everyone and the Summit will address the issues and actions to assist the community to fire up again and get people sailing.”

The Summit will showcase Victoria’s expert marine industry and reinforce its position on the international stage as a professional hub for sailing and development.

The ISS recognises its role in bringing together the best in the business to drive change. Since its inception at the ’99 World Championships in Geelong, the ISS has become ‘the’ networking event for the sailing industry, cementing itself internationally with a total of nine Summits taking place around the world, attracting many of sailing’s industry and sporting legends.

This year’s event promises to set a new benchmark for the Summit and sailing industry.