Yacht Club Managers Group Forum – Sydney 2023

The Yacht Club Managers Group was formed in 2011 and has grown to include managers from every state and territory in Australia as well as some of our neighbours from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong. The groups first forum was in Adelaide in 2012 and they aim to physically meet at a forum biannually in alternate years to the MIA’s Marina Conference. The last forum, in 2018, was held on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane. With COVID upsetting plans for 2020 and with the MIA’s Marinas 22 The Yacht Club Managers Group decided that 2023 was their year to meet once again.

The YCMG Forum was held over 3 days in Sydney from the 17th – 19th May 2023 and it attracted 38 Yacht Club managers from all states of Australia as well as Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Royal Papua Yacht Club and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

The group only represents around 10% of the sailing clubs around Australia, however it is an opportunity for these similar major clubs, all facing similar challenges, to meet and discuss opportunities and issues in the industry.

Statistically it’s not a huge group of managers but collectively The Yacht Club Managers Group have 106,535 members and 2,667 staff, 7,734 marina berths, 1,848 hard stand spaces and thousands of off the beach dinghy sailing boats. Additionally, the collective statistics on land holdings, boatyard facilities and food and beverage operations are quite staggering.

The 2023 YCMG Forum was hosted at three venues including Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and St Georges Sailing Club. Tours of each location was provided and the forum sessions were divided and held in these clubs.

Session presentations were prepared by the various yacht club managers and included topics such as international trends in yacht clubs, benchmarking, hospitality, yacht racing trends, youth development & training and increasing participation, facility development, asset replacement, growing and retaining membership, volunteers and staff, and marina management and maintenance.

There were also several industry professional from the fields of insurance, cyber security, club management and marina software, including presentations from their forum’s sponsors Northstar Technologies and Marina Focus.

Industry associations including Australian Sailing and Marina Industries Association also presented during the busy three day schedule.

In addition to the above, managers had plenty of opportunity to meet and network over what seemed endless dining opportunities with all of the worlds problems being resolved over a glass or two of red. The networking and therapy provided by such forums can not be underestimated. Managers left the forum with new friends and contacts that will be available to assist and offer support with those tricky questions and situations. A great benefit to all clubs involved.

Early discussions for the 2025 Forum have already commenced with several clubs in Hobart collectively showing interest to host the next event in Tassie.

If you have any questions on the Yacht Club Managers Group please send Craig Evans an email or visit fsc.com.au