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Leadership Philosophy 
"
A great marina is more than just a place to dock a boat—it’s the heart of a community. By raising our standards, we lift the entire waterfront."

Andrew Chapman 
Deputy Chairman & Chief of Marina Management


For over three decades, Andrew Chapman has been the driving force behind the modernization and professionalization of the global marina industry. As the President of the Marina Industries Association (MIA) and Chairman of Gulf Marina Management (GMM), he has transformed a fragmented collection of businesses into a unified, global force for excellence. His visionary leadership established the world’s most respected quality benchmarks, professionalized a workforce of over 21,000 people, and gave the industry a powerful, unified voice. In recognition of his profound impact, he was awarded the prestigious Member of the Order of Australia (AM), a testament to a career dedicated not just to building world-class marinas, but to elevating the entire waterfront ecosystem. At GBAYCIA, he brings this unparalleled expertise in standard-setting and community-building to help shape the Greater Bay Area into a premier international yachting destination.

The Professional Pillars

  • Deputy Chairman & Chief of Marina Management, Greater Bay Area Yacht & Cruise Industry Association (GBAYCIA)

  • President, Marina Industries Association (MIA)

  • Chairman, Gulf Marina Management (GMM)

  • Recipient, Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

 
Strategic Impact

  • Global Standard-Bearer: Championed and established the 5 Gold Anchors certification as the world’s premier benchmark for marina quality, service, and environmental stewardship.

  • Industry Architect: Drove the creation of comprehensive professional training programs that have become the global blueprint for cultivating marina expertise.

  • Economic Visionary: Spearheaded landmark research that quantified the economic impact of the marina industry, providing the data-driven authority to influence public policy.

  • Asia-Pacific Pioneer: Successfully expanded Australian-based marina management expertise into emerging Asia-Pacific markets, including mainland China.

More Than Just a Résumé

The Standard-Bearer: Forging a Universal Language of Quality 
Andrew Chapman didn’t just join the marina industry; he redefined its measure of success. As the driving force behind the Marina Industries Association (MIA), he championed the 5 Gold Anchors program, transforming it from a promising initiative into the world’s leading accreditation system. This was more than a checklist; it was a philosophy. He instilled a culture of continuous improvement, environmental responsibility, and unwavering customer service. Today, from Sydney to Shanghai, the Gold Anchor is the undisputed symbol of a world-class facility. His vision created a universal language of quality, allowing boaters to navigate the globe with confidence and empowering marinas to strive for a common standard of excellence.

The Industry Architect: Building a Profession from the Ground Up
Where others saw a workforce, Andrew saw the foundation for a thriving profession. He understood that the long-term success of the marina industry depended on the skills and dedication of its people. Through the MIA, he launched groundbreaking professional training modules and robust quality assurance frameworks that became the industry’s definitive blueprint for talent development. This commitment extended to his work at GMM, where he exported 34 years of Australian expertise in design and management to emerging markets. By bringing world-class training to the shores of China and the wider Asia-Pacific, he didn’t just build marinas; he built careers, cultivated local expertise, and created sustainable economic opportunities.

The Advocate: A Powerful Voice for a Global Community
Behind his quiet authority lies a powerful and effective advocate. As President of the MIA, Andrew Chapman is the unifying voice for an industry that represents over 340 businesses and employs more than 21,000 people. He recognized that to influence policy, the industry needed to speak the language of economics. He commissioned landmark studies that quantified the industry’s significant economic footprint, providing leaders with the hard data needed to champion pro-growth policies and secure investment. His recognition with the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) was not just for his work in building marinas, but for his unwavering commitment to the people and communities that depend on them—a career dedicated to creating opportunities on and off the water.

Andrew Chapman’s legacy is one of transformation. He combines strategic foresight with a deep-seated commitment to community, turning a fragmented industry into a unified, global force. This philosophy is perfectly encapsulated in his habit of conducting board meetings on a classic timber launch, where strategic decisions are navigated with the same care as the coastline. It is this belief—that the best ideas are born on the water—that he brings to GBAYCIA, where he is charting a course for a prosperous and world-class maritime future for the Greater Bay Area.

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