Welcome back to The Boat Princess Podcast.

This episode was recorded in the beautiful city of Venice, Italy, where Ethan Zone and I were both attending the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference. It was the perfect setting to sit down and discuss one of my favourite topics—the future of marinas and the boating industry.

Ethan is the CEO of the Tingdene Group, a remarkable British family-owned business whose story is one of innovation, vision and diversification. Founded in 1969 as a manufacturer of high-quality park homes, Tingdene has evolved into one of the UK's leading operators of residential parks, holiday parks and marinas. Today, the Group owns and operates 12 marinas across the UK, has an extensive boat sales network, and continues to develop exciting innovations in floating homes, bringing together its decades of expertise in residential living with the ever-growing appeal of waterfront lifestyles.

During our conversation we discuss where the marina industry is heading, what we need to do to attract younger generations into both boating and careers within our industry, and why creating vibrant marina communities will become increasingly important. We also explore how changing customer expectations, sustainability, technology and floating living could reshape the marinas of tomorrow.

Whether you work in the marine industry, own a marina, or simply love spending time on the water, this is a fascinating conversation that looks beyond where we are today and into what the future may hold.

To find out more about the Tingdene Group and their marinas, visit https://tingdeneboating.com.

And if you'd like to learn more about Empire Marinas Group, our family-owned marinas, boating facilities and everything we do to help people enjoy life on the water, visit https://www.empiremarinas.com.au.

Now, let's head to Venice for my conversation with Ethan Zone of the Tingdene Group.

Welcome back to The Boat Princess Podcast.

This episode was recorded when I caught up with Alisdair Martin, now Head of Industry Relations for Boats Group, at IBEX 2025 in Tampa, Florida. Much has changed for Alisdair since we recorded this interview (his title on Linked In for a start), but the conversation is just as relevant today. Alisdair has built an impressive career in the global boating industry and is President of the Marine Marketing of America Association and Vice President of Strategy and Sales at the NMMA too, but as you'll hear, his start in the United States was a little more daunting than most—making his journey to one of the marine industry's most influential leadership roles all the more inspiring. It's a story that's absolutely worth sharing even if a little after it was recorded, and I think you'll really enjoy it.

Our conversation goes far beyond boating marketing. We explore some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the recreational boating industry today, including how we attract new people into boating and, perhaps even more importantly, how we retain them for years to come. We discuss the evolving role of boat shows, changing consumer behaviour, customer retention, boating industry trends, and why great marine marketing is about creating lifelong boaters—not simply making the next sale.

Whether you work in the marine industry, exhibit at boat shows, own a marina, sell boats, market marine products and services, or simply love the boating lifestyle, this episode is packed with insights and practical ideas from one of the industry's leading voices.

So grab a coffee, settle in, and enjoy my conversation with Alisdair Martin from Boats Group, recorded live at IBEX 2025.

Going to IBEX in 2026?

Find out more here: https://www.ibexshow.com/

To find out more about the Marine Marketers of America Association of which Alisdair is the President go here:

https://www.marinemarketersofamerica.org/

Today on The Boat Princess Podcast, we're joined by one of the most respected and influential voices in the marine industry, Nancy Cueroni, Senior Vice President of the National Marine Distributors Association (NMDA).

With an impressive 27-year career dedicated to supporting and advancing the recreational boating industry, Nancy has witnessed remarkable transformation across every facet of the business—from evolving consumer trends and technological innovation to changing distribution models and workforce challenges. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and industry leaders, helping shape the conversations and strategies that drive the marine sector forward.

In this episode, Nancy shares her professional journey, reflects on the biggest changes she has seen over nearly three decades in the industry, and discusses the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. We also explore her concerns for the future of boating, including workforce development, industry sustainability, market fluctuations, and how the next generation of boating enthusiasts will shape the industry's direction.

Whether you're a marine professional, boat owner, or simply passionate about the future of boating, Nancy offers valuable insights, practical perspectives, and a wealth of experience gained from nearly three decades at the heart of the industry.

As she hands the helm to her Protege Emily Saving we listen to what Emily looks forward to bringing to the table for the future of the National Marine Distributors Association.

Please welcome Nancy Cueroni and Emily Saving to The Boat Princess Podcast.

This podcast was recorded at IBEX in 2025

To find out more about IBEX:

https://www.ibexshow.com/

To find out more about the NMDA:

https://www.nmdaonline.com/

To sign up for our Newsletter or find out about more of what we do at The Boat Princess or to enquire about sponsorship go to:

https://www.theboatprincess.com/