The Marina Industries Association (MIA) has announced that Malcolm Page OAM, a highly regarded Olympic sailor and current CEO of Australian Sailing, will deliver the closing keynote address at the Marinas26 International Conference & Trade Exhibition, taking place at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland, from 24–27 May 2026.
Page will replace Mark Richards, the renowned ocean racing skipper and marine industry leader, who has withdrawn due to business commitments in the United States that prevent him from attending the event. The MIA expresses gratitude for Richards’s initial commitment and looks forward to his participation in a future event. MIA CEO Suzanne Davies stated, “While we were very disappointed that Mark Richards was unable to join us, Malcolm Page OAM will deliver a close that explains how sporting achievements elevate interest in boating and what marina facilities can do to inspire Australians to engage and participate to ensure it remains as an iconic Australian pastime.”
Malcolm Page OAM boasts an impressive record with dual Olympic gold medals and eight world championships, having excelled in the men’s 470 class for almost a decade. He won gold at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games, becoming the first Australian sailor to defend an Olympic gold medal alongside two different skippers. Page has also served in various roles within the sailing community, including Chair of the World Sailing Athletes Commission and Head of Olympic Sailing for US Sailing, before his appointment as CEO of Australian Sailing in 2025.
His keynote address will delve into boating as an iconic Australian pastime and the essential role of marinas, clubs, and the broader marine industry in sustaining this tradition. Page will share insights from his unique perspective as both an elite athlete and a leader in the sailing sector, promising a fitting conclusion to the conference’s content.
In his own words, Page expressed, “I am honoured to be invited to speak at Marinas26 and to be part of such an important gathering for Australia’s marina and marine industry. The connections between elite performance, participation and promotion of boating are something I feel passionately about, and I look forward to sharing some of what I have learned on and off the water with delegates on the Gold Coast.”
He will discuss how boating is integral to Australian life, highlighting sailing’s role in elevating Australia on the world stage. Page will reference Australia’s consistent success in Olympic sailing and its representation in major events like the America’s Cup, SailGP, and the Rolex Sydney to Hobart.
Furthermore, Page will outline the critical link between on-water success and the facilities that support it. Every competitor in these prestigious events relies on marinas, which serve as gateways to the water for countless Australians, whether they are boat owners, crew members, or sailing students. He will also underscore the community aspect of sailing clubs and marinas, where many Australians first discover their love for boating.
With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics approaching, Page will highlight the potential for these games to inspire the next generation of sailors and boaters across Australia.
Marinas26 is set to gather marina owners, operators, designers, and government representatives from Australia and abroad, reinforcing its status as the premier conference for the marina and boatyard industry in the Asia-Pacific region. The complete conference program can be accessed at www.marinas26.com.
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