ICOMIA FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

The ICOMIA FAQs page aims to answer the most commonly asked questions. ICOMIA FAQs answer many questions, but not all. If you have any more queries that the ICOMIA FAQs page doesn’t address, then please contact us.

What Is ICOMIA?

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) is the global voice of the recreational marine industry. Founded in 1966, ICOMIA is a not-for-profit membership organisation that brings together national marine industry associations from around the world and represents their interests at an international level. Its mission is to support a safe, sustainable and successful future for recreational boating worldwide.

To find out more about ICOMIA’s history, click here

What Does ICOMIA Do?

ICOMIA works on behalf of the global recreational marine industry by:

Promoting boating safety.
Supporting environmental sustainability.
Encouraging international trade.
Representing industry interests with governments and international organisations.
Supporting the development of ISO boat building and marine equipment standards.
Providing technical guidance, market intelligence and industry research.
Hosting committees, working groups, conferences and networking opportunities.

More info about what we do can be found here

Who Can Become an ICOMIA Member?

ICOMIA offers two membership categories:

Full Membership

Available to national marine industry associations worldwide. Full members help shape ICOMIA’s direction through committees, working groups and voting rights.

Sustaining Membership

Available to companies, organisations and brands operating within the international recreational marine industry and supply chain. Sustaining members can participate in many ICOMIA activities and committees while benefiting from industry representation and networking opportunities.

Click here for additional membership info

What Are the Benefits of ICOMIA Membership?

Members gain access to:

Industry committees and working groups.
International advocacy and representation.
Regulatory updates and guidance.
Market intelligence and statistical reporting.
Member-only reports and resources.
Networking opportunities with global industry leaders.
Access to industry experts.
Invitations to the annual ICOMIA/IFBSO Congress and ICOMIA World Marinas Conference.
Discounts on selected resources and events.

Additional Membership Info

Why join a marine trade association?

Joining a marine trade association provides businesses with valuable opportunities to network, collaborate and grow within the industry. Members benefit from strong advocacy and representation on key regulatory and policy issues, helping to influence decisions that affect the sector. Associations provide access to industry intelligence, resources, guidance, education and training, enabling businesses to stay informed, compliant and competitive. Membership can also enhance credibility and visibility, while fostering innovation, sustainability and the adoption of best practices. Through a strong community of industry professionals, members gain connections, business development opportunities and access to the knowledge and support needed to succeed in an evolving global marine market.

What are marine industry associations?

Marine industry associations are organisations that represent and support businesses operating within the recreational, commercial and maritime sectors. They bring together manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, marinas, boat builders, distributors and other stakeholders to promote the interests of the industry. These associations act as a collective voice, providing advocacy, industry representation and engagement with policymakers, regulators and international bodies. They also facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, market intelligence, education and professional development, helping members navigate industry challenges and seize new opportunities. By fostering innovation, sustainability, best practices and industry standards, marine associations play a vital role in strengthening the sector and supporting its long-term growth and success.

How does ICOMIA support members?

ICOMIA supports its members by providing a global platform for collaboration, advocacy and industry leadership across the recreational marine sector. Through its international network of national marine associations, businesses and industry stakeholders, ICOMIA represents member interests on key issues including sustainability, regulations, trade and market development. Members benefit from access to industry insights, research, best practice guidance, technical expertise and global networking opportunities. ICOMIA also leads initiatives that promote innovation, environmental responsibility and the long-term growth of recreational boating. By bringing the industry together and amplifying its collective voice, ICOMIA helps members stay informed, influence important decisions and position themselves for future success in an evolving global marketplace.

More info on this in the ICOMIA FAQs section ‘What Does ICOMIA Do’ above.

Full membership details can be found here

What Committees and Working Groups Does ICOMIA Operate?

ICOMIA facilitates a wide range of specialist groups, including:

Sustainability
Technical
Trade & Market Intelligence
Grow Boating
Marinas
Superyacht
Superyacht Refit
Marine Engines (IMEC)
Diversity
Coatings
Asia Working Group

These groups bring together experts from across the global marine sector to address key industry challenges and opportunities.

Details regarding committees can be seen here

How Does ICOMIA Support Industry Standards?

ICOMIA plays a direct role in the development of ISO boat building and marine equipment standards. By working with international experts and regulatory bodies, it helps ensure safe, high-quality and globally recognised standards across the recreational boating industry.

Why are marine standards important?

Marine standards are essential for ensuring safety, quality, consistency and reliability across the global recreational marine industry. They provide manufacturers, suppliers, marinas and service providers with clear guidelines for design, production, operation and maintenance, helping to reduce risks and improve performance.

What Research and Data Does ICOMIA Provide?

ICOMIA collects and analyses data from member countries and publishes industry-leading market intelligence, including its annual Recreational Boating Industry Statistics Report. The organisation also supports major research initiatives that help guide the future development of the recreational marine sector.

You can find current and previous Recreational Boating Industry Statistics Reports here

What Events Does ICOMIA Organise and Support?

ICOMIA organises and supports a range of international events, including:

ICOMIA/IFBSO Congress
ICOMIA World Marinas Conference
Metstrade
IBEX
Industry forums and workshops
Committee and board meetings
Partnerships with leading marine industry organisations, brands, exhibitions and conferences

These events provide opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing and industry collaboration.

See ICOMIA’s events programme here

What Are ICOMIA Strategic Sponsorship Opportunities?

ICOMIA’s Strategic Sponsorship Programme allows organisations to partner with the association and support its work across research, events, communications, committees and industry initiatives. Sponsorship provides visibility among key decision-makers while helping advance projects that benefit the global recreational marine industry.

What Sponsorship Opportunities are Available?

Sponsorship opportunities may include:

Committee and working group support.
Event sponsorship.
Research and industry projects.
Website and communications partnerships.
Newsletter promotion.
Podcast sponsorship.
Industry resource and publication partnerships.

Opportunities can be tailored to align with an organisation’s objectives and industry interests.

Why Should Organisations Partner with ICOMIA?

Partnering with ICOMIA demonstrates a commitment to the long-term success of the recreational marine industry. Sponsors benefit from increased visibility, engagement with senior industry leaders, and association with a respected global organisation that advocates for safety, sustainability and industry growth.

Find out more info about Strategic Partnerships here

ICOMIA shares news and updates from members, serving to amplify and add additional impact to messages within the global recreational marine and boating industry. In many instances, these news and updates add further value to ICOMIA members, often signposting initiatives and activities that benefit the industry. Sharing news and info from non-members is something the association does if it is impartial and is positive for the industry.

Contact us to share your news here

Can a Non-Member Purchase Items from the Shop?

Most products and download items in the ICOMIA Shop are available to purchase for everyone. However, members do receive a discount.

Additional membership info can be found in the ICOMIA FAQs section above.

See all products and downloads here

Are Resources Available to Non-Members?

ICOMIA hosts a wide and varied library of resources – many of which are available to non-members. There are some resources which are strictly for members only. These may be represented in a snippett summary publicly.

See the Resources section here