Aquatic industry strategy summit to consider ‘benefits of an aligned national industry’

Key aquatic industry stakeholders will come together this week to consider the benefits of an aligned national industry at the invitation-only Aquatic Industry Strategy Summit.

Being staged under the auspices of the Aquatic Recreation Network Australia (ARNA), the Summit, taking place after the SPLASH! Swimming pool exhibition and Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA) national conference, the Summit will feature discussions on industry trends and challenges, a look at actionable strategies for growth and innovation and networking connections to elevate business and the aquatic and recreation industry.

ARNA’s introduction to the Summit advises “over the past few years, starting with, during, and post-COVID-19, it has been reinforced that our fragmented industry, is missing opportunities to be seen as a significant industry for jobs, achieving community outcomes and creating impact.

“This is due to many reasons, including our collective inability to communicate the size, impacts and benefits across so many sectors. 

“As COVID showed, many industries in similar positions, including childcare, travel, hotels, tourism, and allied health, all of whom have been able to articulate their role in society, and now have a seat at the table or at least a single point of contact for Commonwealth and State/Territory Government to connect with on key national and state issues.

“We have been able to do that at a state/territory level in some sectors and the odd excellent example is where a national voice is seen with (Royal Life Saving Society - Australia) on water safety and drowning.”

In advisory to attendees, ARNA goes on to state “over the past 20 years, there have been significant opportunities and attempts to bring parts of the industry together, with mixed success. After recent conversations with operators, suppliers, and peak bodies, there is a consensus that the benefits of an aligned National Industry could be significant, including:

• Advocacy - to the Commonwealth and state/territory government of the benefits the community aquatic, sport and leisure facilities can offer to broad sections of their community impacts.

• Funding - By alignment with complimentary government agendas (e.g. health, job creation, social infrastructure, innovation/technology, sporting outcomes etc, to source additional funding streams.

• Co-ordinated Services - to reduce duplication across the sector and optimise partners resourcing in a sustainable manner to maximise sector impact and outcomes.

• Industry Leadership - Alignment of industry sectors, bodies and organisations to agree on priorities and strategies within and outside of our industry

• Capacity and Capability Development - to grow the industry’s ability to manage to best practice, create community impact, and ensure industry sustainability.

The advisory continues “for the industry to maximise these and other opportunities, ARNA invites the broad industry representatives to attend (the) workshop.”

The day is being facilitated by Martin Sheppard, Managing Director of Smart Connection Consultancy and Curator of the National Sports and Physical Exercise Convention.