AkzoNobel Joins Marina Industries Association as Bronze Sponsor to Support Asia-Pacific Boating Community

AkzoNobel Joins Forces with Marina Industries Association as Bronze Sponsor

Published on: September 2, 2025

In a significant boost for marinas and boatyards across the Asia-Pacific region, AkzoNobel has announced its Bronze Sponsorship of the Marina Industries Association (MIA). This partnership underscores AkzoNobel’s commitment to supporting the marine industry, particularly through its renowned yacht coatings brands: Awlgrip®, International®, and Sea Hawk®.

Simon Knight, Regional Sales Manager for Asia-Pacific at AkzoNobel, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Marinas and boatyards throughout the Asia-Pacific region are great supporters of AkzoNobel and our yacht coatings brands. Supporting the industry is our way of giving back and acknowledging the trust they place in us. The MIA does a great job championing boatyards, and we’re proud to help ‘propel’ their efforts forward.”

The partnership comes as AkzoNobel prepares to showcase its innovations at the upcoming Marinas26 International Conference & Trade Exhibition. Irina Atanasova, Australia & Pacific Islands Sales Manager, highlighted the importance of the event, saying, “This is a great event where the entire industry gathers to meet, network, and learn. We’re excited to engage with our existing customers, meet new ones, and share insights into our products and sustainable solutions.”

Suzanne Davies, CEO of the Marina Industries Association, welcomed AkzoNobel as a key industry partner, emphasizing the value of their involvement in training boatyard personnel and developing best practices within the industry.

In addition to its sponsorship, AkzoNobel recently inaugurated its first Yacht Paint Application Centre (YPAC) in the Asia-Pacific, located at the Gold Coast City Marina in Coomera. This facility offers world-class product training and advanced digital paint application tools, inviting Marinas26 delegates to explore its offerings during their visit.

The MIA’s 2025 Member Survey revealed that over 60% of members actively consider MIA sponsors when making purchasing decisions, highlighting the strategic importance of such partnerships in the growing marine sector.

For more information on MIA sponsorship opportunities, visit www.marinas.net.au or contact Suzanne Davies.