Australia setting a good example
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David Good, CEO of Superyacht Australia, reflects on an exceptional summer for Australia’s superyacht industry, with Sanctuary Cove events to come and a Summer Olympics on the horizon.
Sydney Charter Show 2026, Jones Bay Superyacht Marina; Photo: Salty Dingo
As CEO of Superyacht Australia, I often describe our industry as one defined by momentum – constant, powerful and always moving forward. This past summer season has embodied exactly that.
From the energy of the inaugural Sydney Charter Show to the strategic insights shared at the Australian Superyacht Conference, we showcased the strength of our sector. We also demonstrated the unity, professionalism and world-class standards that position Australia as a leader within Asia-Pacific, encouraging the global superyacht industry to consider this fast-growing, maturing region.
Standing on the dock at Jones Bay Superyacht Marina during the Sydney Charter Show, I was struck by just how far we’ve come. In the years before the Australian Government approved foreign superyacht charter in 2019, Australia hosted a modest gathering of vessels. Now, the country has matured into a leader, hosting the largest fleet in Asia-Pacific.
Sydney Charter Show 2026, Jones Bay Superyacht Marina; Photo: Salty Dingo
At the first Sydney Charter Show, our charter operators, brokers, captains, crew and service providers presented an extraordinary fleet, each vessel a testament to our industry’s craftsmanship, professionalism, operational excellence and the unmistakable character of our cruising grounds.
More importantly, the show reaffirmed the growing appetite for Asia-Pacific based charters, from both domestic clients and an expanding international market now seeking unique, experience-driven itineraries in our waters.
One of my personal highlights was meeting with the next generation of crew, including last year’s Superyacht Crew Scholarship recipient Bryce Lawrence. Their passion, professionalism and commitment to delivering five-star experiences were inspiring.
Sydney Charter Show 2026, Jones Bay Superyacht Marina; Photo: Salty Dingo
These young professionals represent the future of our industry, and it was reassuring to see how deeply they value sustainability, training and safety, as the three pillars that define our long-term reputation.
SYDNEY CONFERENCE
Immediately following the Sydney Charter Show, we shifted into one of the most important knowledge-sharing opportunities of the year – the Australian Superyacht Conference. This conference has always served as a barometer for industry sentiment and a catalyst for forward-thinking discussions.
This year, it was held in Sydney for the first time, which added to the attraction for overseas visitors, some of whom included the Rolex SailGP in Sydney and the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne in their travel itinerary.
Australian Superyacht Conference 2026, Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf; Photo: Salty Dingo
During the conference, leaders from across the nation tackled the issues that shape our operating environment, from global economics and forward vessel orders to AI-driven charter-client interactions, regulatory frameworks and environmental stewardship.
Our industry thrives on collaboration and nowhere was that more evident than in the conference sessions as shipyards, surveyors, marina operators, captains and fleet managers sat together, challenged assumptions and worked collectively to strengthen the sector.
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Our increasingly global perspective was noticeable. We’re no longer content simply observing trends overseas; we’re helping to set them. Australian yards are delivering world-leading refit and maintenance programmes.
Our survey and compliance standards, while sometimes complex, are internationally respected. And our cruising regions, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Kimberley, are capturing the attention of owners seeking adventure beyond the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
David Good (centre) and Superyacht Australia colleagues with Flying Roos skipper Tom Slingsby (third right), the three-time Rolex World Sailor of the Year; Photo: Salty Dingo
This global lens is top of mind as we now look outward toward the next major events on the calendar. First among them is the Palm Beach International Boat Show in Florida where we will be exhibiting as a South Pacific Region at one of the most influential showcases in the global superyacht circuit.
Palm Beach presents an invaluable opportunity for Australia. It’s a stage where we can reinforce our capabilities not only as a premier cruising destination but as a world-class refit, maintenance, training and service hub. Internationally, there’s heightened awareness of Australia’s workmanship and technical capability, and our presence at Palm Beach strengthens relationships with North American owners, captains and project managers.
It’s also a chance to highlight the advantages of the charter legislation available in Tahiti, Fiji, New Zealand, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and Australia, which continues to open pathways for foreign-flagged vessels to charter in our waters, bringing significant economic value to our coastal communities.
AUSTRALIA IN SPOTLIGHT
Barely weeks after Palm Beach, we turn our attention back home to two cornerstone events in our annual calendar: ASMEX and the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May.
David Good, CEO of Superyacht Australia, AIMEX and ACMG
ASMEX – the Australian Superyacht, Marine Export & Commercial Marine Industry Conference – remains one of the most respected industry conferences in the southern hemisphere. For me, ASMEX represents the intellectual engine of our industry. It’s where global market intelligence meets domestic capability; where importers, exporters, manufacturers and service providers gather not simply to share information but to set strategic direction.
What I appreciate most about ASMEX is the candour. It’s a space where we address challenges head-on, whether they relate to workforce shortages, infrastructure pressures, insurance complexities or international competition.
The insights from ASMEX inevitably fuel the excitement that follows at the four-day Sanctuary Cove show, an event that grows more dynamic every year. Sanctuary Cove embodies everything that makes the Australian marine industry exceptional – innovation, diversity, professionalism and the unmistakable lifestyle culture that draws people to the water in the first place.
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
Not only is Sanctuary Cove the most important boat show in Australia but it’s also set in one of the most casual and relaxed holiday settings on the Gold Coast. As we head into this next sequence of global and domestic events, I feel an immense sense of optimism.
Looking further ahead, our superyacht industry is entering a new era as Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Summer Olympics. With the world watching and visiting in just six years’ time, there will be deeper investment in infrastructure, increasingly international visibility and an industry-wide commitment to excellence. The collaborative spirit I witnessed at both the Sydney Charter Show and the Australian Superyacht Conference gives me confidence that we are ready for this next phase.
We are no longer simply participating in the global superyacht ecosystem; we are helping to shape it. Our challenge now is to maintain the momentum, continue elevating our standards, embrace innovation and ensure that the world sees what we already know to be true – Australia is one of the world’s most professional, capable and desirable superyacht destinations and service hubs.
I look forward to representing our region proudly at Palm Beach, deepening our insights at ASMEX and celebrating our collective achievements at Sanctuary Cove. Together, we are building something extraordinary – and the best is yet to come.
DAVID GOOD
Based in Sydney, Good has been CEO of Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX), Superyacht Australia (SYA) and Australian Commercial Marine Group (ACMG) since July 2018, as well as Vice President of the International Superyacht Society (ISS) since January 2026. A graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Good served as an Infantry Officer in the Australian Army before working in Cairns for Ports North for almost 13 years (2005-18), as Security and Emergency Manager then as Operations Manager.
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