SESSION: SailGP – Speed, Spectacle and Strategy

Tom Slingsby is one of the most successful sailors in the world, having won an Olympic gold medal, ten world championships, the America’s Cup, Two Moth World titles
(2019/2021) and three consecutive Rolex SailGP Championships.

Slingsby dominated the Laser class between 2006 and 2012, claiming six world titles during that period, with his final championship coinciding with his Olympic gold medal in the event at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

For his achievements in 2012, he was named the Australian Institute of Sport’s Athlete of the Year and received the Medal of the Order of Australia. Shortly after the 2012 Olympics, he joined Oracle Team U.S.A as a strategist, helping mount one of the greatest comebacks in the sport’s history when the team won the America’s Cup in 2013. He went on to win the 2016 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on board Perpetual Loyal, before returning to Oracle Team U.S.A as tactician and team manager for the 35th America’s Cup. Slingsby’s professional success in the sport has been recognised by World Sailing, with him being crowned the 2010, 2021 and 2023 Rolex World Sailor of the Year.

SESSION: SailGP – Speed, Spectacle and Strategy

Laura Esteve’s journey into the superyacht world began in Australia, where she first discovered her passion for sailing while racing out of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, before embarking on a blue-water voyage from Sydney to Darwin and onward to Southeast Asia.

After several years in superyacht deliveries, she founded a Barcelona-based superyacht agency later acquired by BWA Yachting, where she has been since 2015. Through BWA Yachting, Laura led the America’s Cup Superyacht Programme in Bermuda (2017) and has been instrumental in creating and growing the SailGP Adrenaline Yachts Programme from its inaugural season to today.

She holds degrees in Business Administration from the University of Barcelona and International Economics from the University of Gothenburg. Having lived and worked across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe, she brings a truly global perspective to the superyacht industry. She currently serves as Chief Business Development Officer for BWA Yachting, where she leads global strategy, partnerships, and growth initiatives — and returning to Australia for the conference brings her journey full circle.

SESSION: The Next Wave of Superyacht Charter: Emerging Destinations, Evolving Vessels & the New Generation of Charter Guests

Mike Sager is the son of a captain with 25+ years in technology companies. His last 10 years have been starting, growing startups through all stages of funding and global expansion including SiteMinder, one of the largest technology IPOs in Australian history. He and his mate Elliot Cousins are the Founders of Ankor Software – the leading global superyacht technology company based in Sydney Australia.

SESSION: SeaKeeper Initiatives in the South Pacific Region

Melissa is a Texas native who has called the world home for more than a decade. Driven by a lifelong connection to the ocean, she studied at the University of the Virgin Islands, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. After graduating, Melissa entered the yachting industry, where she combined her scientific background with hands-on experience diving and capturing underwater photography in some of the world’s most remote marine environments.

Through her work in yachting, she was introduced to The International SeaKeepers Society, an organization that bridges the gap between science, conservation, and the yachting community. This connection allowed her to continue supporting marine research while working at sea. Guided by a deep commitment to ocean conservation and education, Melissa now serves as Director of the South Pacific, where she leads regional initiatives, partnerships, and programs that advance marine science, stewardship, and access to research opportunities across the Pacific.

SESSION: Flag State Registration: The Maritime Cook Islands Difference

Eleanor Keukura Roi is the Director of Business Development & Marketing at Maritime Cook Islands (MCI), where she leads global market development and industry engagement, strengthening the international presence and reputation of the Cook Islands Flag State Administration. Her background in flag State administration, regulatory compliance, and international maritime governance supports the continued growth and international reputation of the Cook Islands Registry.

In addition to her role at MCI, Eleanor serves as President of the Cook Islands Shipowners’ Association (CISOA) and currently as Interim Secretary-General and Chairperson of the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA), representing shipowner associations across Asia. In these capacities, she works closely with member associations and international maritime organisations on key policy, regulatory, and industry matters affecting the global shipping sector.

SESSION: Capitalising on Brisbane 2032 – A Game-Changing Moment for Australia and the South Pacific

Stephen Joyce is a senior leader with more than 30 years’ experience across government, private, and not-for-profit sectors, working at local, national, and international levels. He specialises in strategic development, major project delivery, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong track record of leading complex initiatives involving government, industry, and international partners across the marine, tourism, sport, education, and manufacturing sectors.

Stephen is the project lead of the Brisbane 2032 Marine Project, an initiative designed to support the continued growth of Australia’s marine and superyacht sector, both domestically and across the South Pacific. The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are being leveraged as a global catalyst to attract increased numbers of international superyacht vessels to the region, creating long-term economic, employment and investment benefits for Australia and primarily Queensland well beyond the Games period.

PANEL: Foreign-flagged Charter in Australia: Unlocking Access, Opportunity and Growth

A Gold Coast native, Cameron worked extensively in the superyacht industry overseas before returning home to turn his skills to the Australian market. Cameron’s strength in the Australian superyacht industry stems from his previous roles as a superyacht captain, yacht broker, charter agent and yacht manager.

His industry knowledge, combined with a Business Management degree mean yachts and charters in his care are managed impeccably, and always with an eye on the end user experience. His passion for the industry and experience focus are the driving forces behind The Superyacht People’s success.

Cameron has been the Chairman of Superyacht Queensland since 2016 and an elected committee member of Superyacht Australia committee since 2015, aiding in the growth and betterment of the Australian superyacht industry.

Cameron was awarded the 2023 Australian Marine Industry Champion and has twice been awarded the Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the year.

PANEL: Foreign-flagged Charter in Australia: Unlocking Access, Opportunity and Growth

Jeff is a registered tax agent with over 25 years of experience, including a specific focus on the marine and luxury asset sectors. During his professional career, he has been a tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and, prior to that, held senior roles at the Australian Taxation Office. In 2025, he founded Tax Navigate, one of Australia’s leading specialist consultancies for superyacht taxation and marine sector compliance. He regularly advises on the commercial structuring and operation of superyachts, including making it easier for foreign-flagged vessels to charter in Australia. His experience and industry knowledge make him a trusted partner to owners, captains, yacht managers, and brokers seeking clear, commercial advice on the complexities of Australia’s tax system.

PANEL: Foreign-flagged Charter in Australia: Unlocking Access, Opportunity and Growth

Kane Bygrave is a director of Aurora Global Logistics, a privately owned freight and logistics company, specialising in the transport and barrier clearance of boats and yachts. Aurora are the official agents in Australia for Peters and May, a global leader in world boat transportation.

Kane began his career in the logistics industry in 1987, performing various roles within the Customs division of a German multinational organisation. He obtained his Customs Brokers qualifications in 1993, and in doing so achieved highest national examination results in Australia for that year. 

Kane progressed into management roles within the logistics industry, before opening the doors as a partner and director at Aurora Global Logistics in 2001 – this year marking a quarter of a century in business. Today Aurora employs 14 staff, 6 of whom specialise in logistical services and advice to the boating sector.  Everything from trailer boats through to superyachts.

Kane chaired Superyacht Base Brisbane between 2005 and 2007. He sat on the Superyacht Australia committee between 2009 and 2018 (including a Charter Regulations sub-committee formed by Mary-Anne Edwards) and has more recently sat on the AIMEX board between 2019 and 2025.

SESSION: Navigating the 2026 Compliance Horizon: Offshore Structures, Tax Residency, and the Operational Advantage of Being Ready

Zac Bailey is a maritime lawyer and former superyacht captain with over three decades of experience spanning command at sea and legal practice. As Principal of Indo-Pacific Solutions, Zac leads a multidisciplinary law firm advising UHNW principals, family offices, and maritime professionals across the Indo-Pacific region—spanning legal services, strategic consultancy, compliance, and intelligence.

Admitted to the High Court of Australia, Zac brings a rare combination of operational command experience and legal expertise to complex maritime matters—from vessel transactions, flag state selection and charter agreements to beneficial ownership structuring and international regulatory compliance.

Zac serves on the AIMEX Board and remains actively engaged in advancing Australia’s position within the international superyacht industry. He bridges the operational and legal dimensions of the sector—from the bridge to the boardroom—with a focus on practical outcomes and commercial clarity.