The Australian Superyacht Conference (ASMEX) 2025 was held at stunning new beachfront venue, The Langham Gold Coast in Queensland from Monday 19 May to Wednesday 21 May.
The Conference welcomed 135 delegates from across Australia, and many counties across the world including the Fijian Islands, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the United States, Vanuatu and Vietnam, to participate in the fourteenth edition of Asia Pacific’s largest superyacht conference, the only conference of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Australian Superyacht Conference © Salty Dingo 2025
This year’s conference featured a refreshed format, with speaker sessions across two days, networking drinks and the Australian Marine Industry Awards at The Langham Gold Coast. The final day included tours of local shipyards and a sailing event to wrap up the conference.
Jeremy Spear, President of the Australian International Marine Export Group and Director of Spear Green Design, welcomed delegates to the conference and remarked on Australia’s thriving superyacht sector setting the standard on the international stage. He praised the global demand for our world-class vessels, cutting-edge craftsmanship, skilled crews and record-breaking builds. Jeremy congratulated members on a record number of entries in the Australian Marine Industry Awards, reflecting the innovation and uniqueness of our local industry.
Hermann Vorster MP, Member for Burleigh and Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs and International Student Attraction, Queensland Government, delivered the official opening to the packed conference room, welcoming delegates with a reassurance that the Queensland Government values the marine industry in its entirety and is looking beyond its 2028 Superyacht Strategy, setting its sights on long-term growth to the 2032 Olympics.
The first speaker to address the delegates was Ben Taylor, renowned global marketing strategist and host of The Ben Taylor Podcast, who graced the stage with an enlightening conversation around Building Trust Online: Marketing Success in the International Marine Landscape. Ben explored the critical role of trust as a strategic asset in high-value industries like the superyacht sector. He offered sharp insights and real-world strategies for cultivating trust in marketing, breaking down how it is built, why it fails and what it takes to maintain it at both personal and organisational levels.
Welcome Drinks at the Australian Superyacht Conference © Salty Dingo 2025
Ben commented; “The Australian Superyacht Conference provided an incredible insight into Australia’s yachting industry, its wider impact and a realistic vision for the future. This is a unique region of the world with highly nuanced challenges and successes – this is where to hear about it and meet the people deeply involved in shaping yachting here. To speak at the event, create relationships in this region and give some guidance from my learnings from other regions is a privilege and a true pleasure”
Leading an impactful session was Ryan Darx, Head of Customer Experience and Brook Mickan, Content Writer at CellAED® who presented powerful statistics of the alarming rates of cardiac arrest in Australia before introducing their groundbreaking innovation the CellAED®, an ultra-portable defibrillator. As finalists in the Australian Marine Industry Awards they emphasised the device’s affordability, compact design and life-saving potential for all maritime environments.
Louise De New, Account Director at BOATPro by BOAT International, brought her wealth of global market intelligence and industry experience to Australia, making time within her demanding international schedule to deliver a comprehensive presentation filled with insightful statistics and market information on the state of the international superyacht sector, including global growth and top trends shaping the year ahead. Remarkably she indicated that semi-custom builds have grown by 3485% in the last forty years and in the last twelve months, there has been a record number of vessels built and delivered, which are becoming larger not just by length by also by volume – indicating more space on board than ever before.
Louise De New commented ; “The Australian Superyacht Conference has been a uniquely insightful and inspiring experience, an opportunity to learn from the very best of the Australian marine industry. The superyacht community in Australia are close and warmly welcoming, there has been a feeling of incredible optimism from the experts it has been my privilege to meet over the last few days and I am excited for what the future holds for the industry here. I am overwhelmingly indebted to the wonderful team at Superyacht Australia for including myself.”
In a domestic perspective, the State of the Australian Superyacht Industry was presented by David Good, CEO of Superyacht Australia and the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX). David delivered a state-by-state synopsis of the number of vessels, the average length of stay and the LOA, indicating that the economic impact is on the rise as when larger vessels make it down under, they are staying longer and undertaking more refit work than ever. The total economic impact in Australia in 2024 being $87 million even with access through the Red Sea limiting the number of vessels that can access Australia.
Acting Mayor, Cr Mark Hammel, City of Gold Coast concluded day one of the conference with insightful statistics on the breadth of the superyacht industry in the Gold Coast, noting its locale offers more canals and waterways than Amsterdam and Venice combined. The driving force behind this economy is over 500 companies employing in excess of 5000 staff, with 170 superyacht berths and a customs clearance port along its 57 kilometres of pristine coastline, leading the enormous $1.2 billion marine industry in the Southern Hemisphere.
Cr Hammel then welcomed all delegates to the conference evening drinks which finished the day on a vibrant note and offered delegates the opportunity to reconnect, develop new connections and engage in relaxed networking ahead of the following days conference sessions.
As the first speaker on day two of the Australian Superyacht Conference, Peter Munckton, Chief Economist at Bank of Queensland and a familiar fixture at the event, brought his signature upbeat style to his presentation, The Economy in an Uncertain World. Peter broke down complex financial insights and provided delegates with clear and practical takeaways for navigating current economic challenges.
Emma Crichton, CEO APAC of Autogen AI and Kristina Agustin, Founder of Southern Sky AI, shared their expert insights into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in business. Drawing on over three decades of experience in the bid sector, Emma detailed the developmental growth of AI, demonstrating it a technological innovation speeding up and reshaping work practices through enhanced workflows and efficiency with real work examples of its practicability. Kristina followed with a sector-specific perspective, describing the power of AI as an equaliser. She outlined how AI-driven automation and smart decision-making can be implemented in every aspect of the marine space, leveraging her deep expertise in maritime operations, regulatory compliance and advisory roles.
Mark Wales © Salty Dingo
Through personal and military anecdotes, Mark Wales, ex-Special Ops Major, author, entrepreneur, and Survivor winner, captivated the audience as he shared his life story and delivered an impactful take on three key principles: a mission-first mindset, strategic planning, and self-care through high-performance habits. His high-ops training philosophy, Who Dares Wines, embodies the power of taking calculated risks to achieve greater outcomes.
Nicola Pomi, Vice President of the Yacht & Superyacht Division, Volvo Penta and William Bratt, Director of Marine Sales & Marketing at Volvo Penta Oceania, shared a powerful look at how cutting-edge propulsion technology is shaping the future of marine performance with direct insights into Volvo Penta’s next-generation IPS Professional Platform. Designed for future flexibility, the system supports ICE, hybrid, and electric configurations, its new Eco Mode, based on real-world data, improves fuel efficiency and extends service intervals by automatically managing engine use and synchronising engine hours.
Delegates in attendance © Salty Dingo 2025
One of Australia’s most revolutionary projects to date, the creation and delivery of the world’s largest sailing superyacht catamaran, was the focus of a presentation and intimate Q&A session led by Steven Quigley, Managing Director of One2three Naval Architects, and Chris Blackwell, Sales & Marketing Manager at Echo Yachts, AIMEX Director and Chairman of Superyacht Australia. Revealing details of the visionary leadership in design they shared real-time visuals of the vessel’s progress, including detailed cutaway images that highlighted the technically complex design, offering finite details right down to the smallest of components, regenerative power systems and cruising data. Steven shared his excitement in being part of this extraordinary project, praising the owner’s bold vision and trust in the design and build process.
Matt Walford, Area Manager for Australia and New Zealand at Benetti Yachts, presented an overview of three standout Benetti models blending innovation, lifestyle and sustainability elements. He offered design details of the hybrid B.YOND 57M, the innovative B.LOFT 65M and the exceptional glazing on the PROJECT LIFE 85M, currently the largest yacht available on the market, built on an existing platform with a fully developed design package. Peter Mahony, General Manager APAC at Benetti Yachts followed by identifying Benetti’s innovation model as one focused on creating cutting-edge, tailored spaces for their clients.
Vasco Buonpensiere, CEO of Cantiere delle Marche, finished the day with a enjoyable presentation on the evolution and growing appeal of explorer-style superyachts, affirming that white yachts decide where you can go, yet with explorer yachts it is you who can decide where to go. Sharing insights from his extensive experience, Vasco highlighted the shift in owner preferences toward long-range, adventure-ready vessels that combine comfort with capability. His presentation offered a deep dive into design trends, market demand and the unique operational considerations driving the success of the explorer yacht segment.
(L to R) Paul Miletta Vasco Buonpensiere and Domenico Giuffrè,
Vasco commented; ‘It has been a privilege and a real pleasure to have the opportunity to speak about what I love most – CdM and the world of Explorer Yachting – especially in front of such an engaged and receptive audience. The genuine interest shown in our unique approach to shipbuilding was truly energizing and reaffirmed our deep belief in the potential of the Australian market. Together with Paul Milletta and Domenico Giuffrè from our Sydney office, we are fully committed to supporting our valued Australian clients and to promoting our range of Explorer Vessels to all those who are seeking robust yet elegant yachts, built to explore these magnificent waters safely and in utmost comfort. There is no doubt that this conference is the best event for those who want to understand the Australian market and the great potential of its industry ‘
Delegates returned on day three for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of leading Gold Coast marine facilities, including Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, Stella Marine and The Boat Works. The guided bus tour offered a unique opportunity to explore each site in depth, with delegates visiting factory floors, key production areas and learning about each facility’s history, future development plans, and role within the thriving marine precinct.
Industry Tour on Day 3
The conference rounded out with a social lunch at Southport Yacht Club’s Holywell Facility, followed by a networking activity that turned teammates into sailing mates during an on-water sailing activity. Delegates had the chance to experiment or showcase their hobie cat sailing skills, which was a fun and fitting way to close out the event.
David Good, CEO of AIMEX, Superyacht Australia and ACMG commented; “This year’s conference enjoyed the highest number of overseas delegates, which was pleasing to see. Statistics show Australia leads the Asia Pacific region in superyacht ownership and we are delighted to share our experiences to help lift the region.”
IMS Run Club Sponsored by Marine Air Flow International
AIMEX extends our gratitude to the Major Partners, Conference Partners, Award Presenting Partners, and Supporting Sponsors of the Australian Superyacht Conference (ASMEX) 2025. We acknowledge and appreciate their generous support, which has been fundamental in ensuring the conferences success.
Major Partners: City of Gold Coast, Queensland Government, Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
Conference Partners: Benetti Yachts, Echo Yachts, Pantaenius Australia, Setouchi DMO and Vanuatu Tourism Office
Supporting Sponsors: International Maritime Services, Marine Air Flow International, Pyrotek, Quality Marine Clothing.
