Shanghai hosting reflects the Chinese government‘s push to grow leisure yacht and marina infrastructure as a national economic priority.

The 2027 ICOMIA World Marinas Conference (IWMC2027) will be held in Shanghai from 30 March to 2 April – the first time in the event’s history, stretching back to its 1993 launch, that it has come to Mainland China.

The move follows a marked shift in Chinese policy. In January 2026, China’s State Council issued its Work Plan for Accelerating the Cultivation of New Growth Points in Service Consumption, naming high-quality leisure yacht consumption, marina infrastructure upgrades and sector regulatory reform as national economic growth priorities. It builds on 2022’s multi-ministerial Implementation Opinions on Accelerating the Development of Cruise and Yacht Equipment and Industry, which set a national roadmap for marina construction and market opening. Those policy signals are now showing up as capital works, with several marina facilities newly completed or under construction. Delegates will hear project owner insights and case study updates on these and similar developments during the conference programme.

“As the marina sector evolves at pace, driven by innovation, sustainability, and changing consumer expectations, the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing has never been greater. Shanghai provides a compelling backdrop for the upcoming conference. Positioned at the centre of Asia’s rapidly expanding recreational marine market, the city represents both opportunity and ambition,” says Joe Lynch, ICOMIA’s CEO.

For the international marina community, that combination – state-level policy backing plus live capital projects – is what makes Shanghai 2027 different from previous editions. Delegates get face-to-face access to regional developers, port authorities and project investors at the point where market entry decisions are actually being made, alongside the conference’s usual programme of technical content, regulatory updates and global networking. Held under the theme “Connecting Globally to Develop Marinas that Enhance Waterfront Communities and Drive Economic Growth,” the four-day event retains its international character, with senior decision-makers expected from more than 30 countries.

On the ground

The programme includes dedicated networking receptions, the official Gala Dinner, and a Marina & Waterfront Site Tour– built specifically around sourcing partners and evaluating supply chains in the Chinese and wider Asia-Pacific market. Alongside this, delegates will get practical frameworks on marina operations, waterfront planning, capital project delivery and ESG performance, through case studies, technical briefings and policy sessions.

Early-Bird Registration Now Open

IWMC2027 is offering tiered ticket pricing, with early-bird rates available until 30 September 2026 (inclusive of VAT):

Full Pass: €550 – Full conference access, Marina Tour, Welcome Reception, Gala Dinner, conference materials, daily lunches, and coffee breaks.

Single Day Pass: €300 – One-day conference access with catering.

Tour Only: €150 – Marina & waterfront site tour and networking (excludes conference sessions and Gala Dinner).

Gala Dinner Only: €250 – Entry to the official Gala Dinner.

All tickets are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with standard pricing applying after 30 September 2026.

Register for tickets instantly: https://urban.expolifestyle.com/en/user/register?utm_source=ICOMIAnews&utm_medium=IWMCe&utm_campaign=20260821