Sinoexpo in Shanghai

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), and conference host Sinoexpo Informa Markets, have announced the Preliminary Conference Programme for the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference 2027 (IWMC2027), taking place in Shanghai, China, from the 30th of March to the 2nd of April 2027.

Delivering on the conference theme – Connecting Globally to Develop Marinas that Enhance Waterfront Communities and Drive Economic Growth – the IWMC2027 will drive a compelling agenda to attract global thought leaders, industry specialists and pioneers, government representatives, investors, owners and operators from around the world.

As the first ICOMIA World Marinas Conference to be held in China, IWMC2027 represents a landmark moment for the sector, recognising the growing influence of the Asia-Pacific region within the global marina and waterfront development industries.

Shanghai connects East and West
ICOMIA’s decision to select Shanghai as the host city for IWMC2027 marks a strategic milestone for the organisation, signalling strong recognition of the rapidly growing recreational boating and marina market in Asia – and China in particular. As a global financial centre and an international gateway, Shanghai sits at the heart of the Yangtze River Delta. Its world-class port infrastructure and ongoing waterfront transformations make it an ideal venue to convene global industry leaders and explore the vast potential of the Asia-Pacific marina landscape.

The Conference’s strategic pillars – Global Connectivity, Building Waterfront Communities, Driving Economic Growth – encapsulate the core mission of this edition’s gathering. It underscores that, in an era of deepening international collaboration, marinas have evolved far beyond mere docking points into integrated destinations and waterfront communities that combine tourism, leisure, commerce and residential living, while playing an increasingly vital role in regional economic development.

From investment models to AI frontiers
The two-day main conference will bring together global experts to explore a wide range of topics, from macro-level strategy to day-to-day operational excellence.

Highlights at a Glance
Day 1   (31.Mar.27)
The opening day kicks off with a formal ceremony, followed by the first session ‘Unlocking Growth in Asia’ that will offer in‑depth analysis of the roadmaps across regional markets of this dynamic region. Following sessions will draw on global case studies to examine ‘Master Planning for Marinas’ and ‘Repositioning Existing Facilities’ – providing attendees with a complete knowledge framework for both greenfield developments and brownfield transformations.

Day 2   (2.Apr.27)
The second day shifts focus to business fundamentals and forward‑looking trends. Sessions will explore ‘Marina Business Models and Investor Requirements’, assess ‘Marinas as Economic Drivers’, and address ‘Commercial Performance and Revenue Optimisation’ – offering actionable methodologies for sustainable profitability.

On the operations front, the conference features a dedicated ‘Marina Operations Best Practice Workshop’, alongside focused case studies on workforce training and customer experience. The afternoon sessions turn to the future, tackling ‘Environmental Leadership in Marina Design and Operations’ and ‘Shaping the Future of Marinas Through Innovation, Technology and AI’ – examining how the industry can stay ahead in the twin transitions of green sustainability and digital transformation.

Mid-Conference Day   (1.Apr.27)
Between the two main conference days, the 1st of April offers delegates a dedicated day for specialised content and business development, featuring tours of Shanghai’s leading marina facilities and a commercial day programme exploring marina business models, investor requirements and revenue optimisation, alongside curated B2B matchmaking opportunities connecting global investors with regional projects.

Pre-Conference Day   (30.Mar.27)
Ahead of the formal conference programme, a dedicated Pre-Conference Day on the 30th of March will provide early arrivals with a valuable first-hand introduction to China’s boating market and the host city’s waterfront before the formal sessions begin. On offer will be optional morning tours to the China International Boat Show 2027 (CIBS) and a Shanghai city orientation, before an evening reception.

A global gathering not to be missed
Beyond the substantive conference sessions, the programme includes networking opportunities, featuring welcome cocktails and a prestigious gala dinner with awards presentations – offering global participants ample platforms for exchange and collaboration.

In 2025, the IWMC in Venice brought together over 650 delegates from more than 30 countries, with international participants accounting for at least 50% of attendance.

As ICOMIA’s flagship biennial event, IWMC2027 is expected to attract marina owners, operators, investors, designers, and industry leaders from over 30 countries to Shanghai. This is not only a knowledge powerhouse event but also an unrivalled window into the Asia-Pacific market and a prime opportunity to forge critical international connections.

www.worldmarinasconference.com

About ICOMIA
ICOMIA is an international non-profit membership organisation serving the recreational boating industry. ICOMIA works to connect the industry, host groups and committees, provide technical guidance, collect data, statistics and trends, share market intelligence advise on compliance and safety.

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) is the global organisation representing the recreational marine industry through its national member associations and sustaining members. ICOMIA works to advance sustainable growth, innovation, safety and responsible boating worldwide.

Find out more at www.icomia.org
Ben Grigg, programme director, ben.grigg@icomia.com