From 5-8 June 2018, the International Marine Certificate (IMCI) Institute hosted the ICOMIA/IFBSO Congress in Berlin, Germany. Marine Industry Associations from across the world attended the ICOMIA/IFBSO Congress to network, share expertise and attend important committee meetings. On the final day the ICOMIA Committees were elected, including the Executive Committee and ICOMIA President, and we welcomed three new ICOMIA members.
The three-day Congress was hosted by ICOMIA member IMCI. IMCI plays a valuable role in the boating industry, providing certifications for boats and components, marinas and companies and one of the leading Notified Bodies under the Recreational Craft Directive, as well as the ABYC Component Certification Program. Jurgen Tracht, Chair of IMCI, said:
“IMCI is delighted to have hosted this year’s ICOMIA/IFSBO Congress in Berlin. We are deeply grateful that these two organisations accepted our offer and decided to select the capital of Germany as the meeting place for such an important event.”
The Congress programme comprised of meetings of the following ICOMIA Committees with key agenda items being discussed:
– Technical: technical harmonisation of boatbuilding and equipment requirements – Superyacht Division: IMO and Flag requirements, Tier III emission limits – Grow Boating: initiatives and member campaigns to stimulate uptake of boating and measure campaign success – Environment: updates on ever-increasing regulations and industry response – Marinas Group: international marine association developments and planning of the autumn World Marinas Conference. – Statistics Committee: provision of industry market intelligence – Exporters: new markets and international shows of interest
At the ICOMIA Annual General Meeting, a number of ICOMIA positions were voted on, notably a new composition of the ICOMIA Executive Committee, with Andrea Razeto from UCINA (Italy) as ICOMIA President. Sara Anghel (NMMA Canada) and YP Loke (SBIA) were elected as Vice Presidents. The Marinas Group (IMG), Technical Committee and Environment Committee also appointed new chairs.
Andrea Razeto, ICOMIA’s newly appointed President said:
“It is a great honour for me to take on this role at this particular moment, with the growth of the marine leisure in an increasing number of markets. I wish to thank Dr. Jouko Huju for all his work for ICOMIA during his years of service.”
The Executive Committee also confirmed Hong Kong Boating Industry Association as a new full ICOMIA member and Croatian Marinas Association and Wrede Consulting as sustaining members. At Congress an agreement was signed between ICOMIA and IBEX. IBEX is a highly focused marine technology trade show dedicated to advancing the business of boating and ICOMIA is proud to partner with IBEX, with the aim of bringing the rest of the world closer to the US boating industry.
The format of congress also provided less formal settings for members to exchange the developments their associations have been through during the last year, welcome new members and network. Held together with the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO), joint meetings allowed discussion of future industry and boat show developments and how industry associations and boat show organisers can better cooperate.
The Gala Dinner, held at The Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee (VSaW), set the scene for IMCI’s 25th Anniversary Celebration and concluded a very successful Congress, in which expertise was shared, important developments in the industry were discussed, international partnerships were fostered.
Next year’s ICOMIA Congress will be held 5-7 June 2018 in Croatia and will be hosted by ICOMIA’s member, Croatian Boating Industry Association (CBIA).
11 June 2018