ICOMIA podcast: Targeting growth in China with Shanghai World Marinas Conference
ICOMIA’s head of partnerships, Romina Bompani, has outlined how the organisation is strengthening its international network and helping members access new opportunities across global leisure marine markets.
With experience spanning Europe, the United States and Latin America, Bompani says her focus is on building stronger connections between markets and helping ICOMIA members get greater value from the organisation’s global network.
Building value through international partnerships
Bompani’s remit is to support existing members, expand the organisation’s network and communicate more clearly the role ICOMIA plays across the marine industry.
“I’m not here to sell anything. I’m here to deliver value,” she says, adding that ICOMIA is “like the United Nations for the yachting industry,” in that it brings together knowledge, experience and relationships from across different markets.
One of her priorities is building connections between businesses and organisations operating in different parts of the world.
This approach will be particularly important as ICOMIA increases its focus on Asia-Pacific and prepares for its next World Marinas Conference.
Connecting international businesses with China’s marina market
The ICOMIA World Marinas Conference will take place in Shanghai in March 2027. The organisation has identified the timing as particularly significant for the Chinese marina and leisure marine market.
Bompani says the industry has discussed China’s potential for many years, but believes current developments suggest the market is beginning to change.
“For the past 20 years we have all been hearing that China is the next big thing,” she says. “We believe that the change is now happening.”
According to Bompani, recent Chinese government policy has placed greater priority on the development of marine infrastructure and waterfront areas, creating a more favourable environment for marina development and investment.
The conference will bring together stakeholders involved in regulation, development, investment and marina operations, giving delegates access to relationships and market knowledge that can otherwise be difficult to establish.
Bompani stresses the importance of understanding local customers and adapting international expertise to the specific needs and culture of the Chinese market.
ICOMIA’s objective, she says, is to facilitate that process while encouraging greater knowledge-sharing across the global industry.
“At the end of the day, it is about having a better industry, keeping people on the water and engaging people all around the world.”
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