Tracy Souris has been elected as the the new board chair and president of Australia’s Boating Industry Association (BIA).
She becomes the first woman to lead the organisation since it was established in 1960.
Souris replaces Adam Smith who completed his term after six years’ on the BIA board, the last two as chair.
Souris currently serves as manager of the maritime hub Sydney Boathouse at Rozelle Bay.
Beyond her role at Rozelle Bay, Souris has been an advocate for diversity and professional development within the marine industry.
She is the current chair of the BIA Women in Boating Committee, a role in which she has been instrumental in creating pathways for women in maritime careers.
Landmark achievement
Souris is also chair of the BIA State Council where she has championed engagement of local businesses in a wider marine jobs programme.
“Tracy’s election as president is a landmark achievement for the BIA,” said BIA chief executive officer Andrew Fielding.
“She takes the helm of an industry where 75% of our members are small family businesses supporting local communities.
“Her unique blend of frontline property management and visionary approach is exactly what is needed as we prepare for significant sector growth.”
He continued: “Adam Smith provided leadership of the BIA during some challenging years, particularly across the boat show landscape and we sincerely thank Adam for his six years with the board and also the NSW State Council and for all he has done for boating.”
Projected demands of the sector
Souris added: “I am honoured to have been entrusted with this role by my peers.
“With almost one in five Australian households already owning a boat or watercraft, our industry is a vital part of the nation’s social and economic fabric.”
Under Souris’s leadership, the BIA will focus on priorities designed to meet the projected demands of the sector by 2030.
These include preparing for an estimated 6 million people participating in boating annually in Australia and supporting the approximately 2.9 million Australians holding a boat licence and more than one million registered vessels on Australian waters by the end of the decade.
The BIA reported a national industry turnover of more than $10.2 billion in 2025, supporting more than 2,000 businesses and employing around 35,000 people.
