NEWS - SYBA and AIMEX merge
Superyacht Australia (SYBA), the peak body for Australia’s superyacht industry, has merged with the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX), the principle representative organisation for the marine export sector. In the move, AIMEX will set-up a superyacht division and appoint a committee of superyacht industry representatives to drive the issues affecting this area.
Alistair Murray, president of AIMEX said the move was an important step forward for the marine industry, uniting two significant sectors that should result in an increase in the profile and support available for the superyacht industry.
“AIMEX has been managing Superyacht Australia for 18 months, so it is a logical step now to move to a position of working as one entity,” said Murray.
AIMEX said it has gone from strength-to-strength over the past 10 years and is a major player in the Australian and international export market. Barry Jenkins, SYBA chairman stated: “The management, marketing and lobbying support AIMEX will bring to Superyacht Australia will ensure the superyacht industry gets the recognition it deserves. It is important that greater traction and impetus be given to key issues, which are seen as barriers to more superyachts visiting Australian waters.
“The decision to merge with AIMEX was taken at the recent annual general meeting of SYBA held in late November, with current directors and financial members unanimously agreeing this was the best way forward for the group.
“SYBA had been struggling to remain an independent entity and needed to come under the umbrella of a vibrant, proactive industry body,” he said.
Since being managed by AIMEX, SYBA says it has enjoyed an excellent profile and promotion internationally, has made some inroads into key lobbying issues and has developed a new website that is now gaining momentum as the portal for the Australian superyacht sector.
MaryAnne Edwards, AIMEX CEO will continue to manage the superyacht division, so it is business as usual. AIMEX has invited a representative from the superyacht division committee, Richard Morris, to the AIMEX board.
“The AIMEX board is excited by this initiative,” said Murray. “Given the current state of the global marine sector it reduces costs to the industry and allows a stronger more united voice to government.”