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Well, another busy summer period is now behind us, giving
me some pause to think through the events of the past year, and finalise
our plans for the next.
Everywhere I went on the water over summer, I was reminded
of how large a footprint Club Marine has across the entire marine
community – through
our share of both the boat insurance and marine media markets;
and the broad range of boat shows, regattas, fishing competitions
and other events around the country that we support and are involved
with.
Club Marine’s 150,000 members represent the largest
community of boat owners in the country by a nautical mile, and Club
Marine Magazine outsells our nearest magazine rival by more than four-to-one.
But as we have been saying for many years now, we are not the best
simply because we are the biggest – rather we believe we
have become the biggest player in our market by being the best
at what
we do.
We’ve been a major player in the marine landscape for over 40
years, and would like to assure all our members that we consider it
our responsibility to continue to contribute to, and support the lifestyle
we all love. Nearly all of my staff are actively involved in boating
in some way; some as keen recreational fishers, water-skiers and social
sailors; not to mention those within our ranks who compete in Australian
and international championship yacht races. We believe this participation
in the boating community is one of the unique things about Club Marine
that stands us apart from our competitors.
I believe that Club Marine spends more money than any
other organisation in sponsorship of marine events around Australia.
And so we should – we
owe it to our members to do all we can to invest in the boating community,
to promote access and safety for all boat users and owners, and to
lobby government and regulators about the issues we boaties are faced
with when we’re on or around the water. We also owe it to our
800 or so agents, repairers and other business partners around the
country to play our part in promoting the boating lifestyle to the
widest possible audience.
We are now preparing for our annual program of boat
shows, the season for which starts in a few weeks time at Sanctuary
Cove and runs right through until early 2008. During that time,
we have a constant programme of sponsorships and exhibitor commitments
in every state and territory – and we also welcome the opportunity
to meet and talk with you, our members, at each of these shows.
Boat shows present a wonderful opportunity for the
industry to put its best foot forward to both the domestic and international
markets, and to showcase all that is good, clever and innovative about
Australian design and manufacture of boats and related marine products.
They are also a great opportunity for the public to explore their
dreams of enjoying our unique marine environment and lifestyle.
It all starts with the Sanctuary Cove International
Boat Show from May 24 to 27. We are delighted to have come aboard
as a major sponsor of SCIBS for the first time this year; and we are
also looking forward to announcing the winner of the Club Marine Lifestyle
Classic Giveaway and handing over the $90,000 prize package at the
show.
Thursday, May 24 will also see the presentation of
the 2007 Australian Marine Awards on the Gold Coast; a joint initiative
of the Australian Marine Industries Federation and Club Marine in
which the industry recognises and rewards excellence amongst its peers.
The next edition of Club Marine Magazine will carry a feature article
about the 2007 winners and finalists in the Australian Marine Awards.
In the meantime, I wish you all happy and safe boating
in the twilight of the warmer months, and I hope to catch up with many of you
at the boat shows this season. Alternatively, drop me a line by
email to: ceo@clubmarine.com.au and tell me what’s on your mind – you
never know, you might end up in the pages of a future edition of
the magazine.
Regards,
Mark Bradley
Publisher and CEO
Club Marine Limited
E-mail: ceo@clubmarine.com.au
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