The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), North America’s premier technical trade event for the recreational marine industry, announced its slate of new presentations, panel discussions, and technical seminars as part of its world-class IBEX Education Conference.
With a can’t-miss lineup of opportunities from Tech Talks to Main Stage events, the 2025 IBEX Education Conference features sessions for everyone from leadership to engineers.
This year’s IBEX Main Stage will return with a showcase of sessions every day of the Show, with topics ranging from managing tariffs, trade, and supply chain to workforce development, and much more.
Featured speakers
Featuring speakers like Robyn Boerstling, Senior Vice President, Government Relations at the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA); former NMMA President Dr. Thomas Dammrich; Freedom Boat Club President Cecil Cohn; National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) President and Executive Director Mark Reedenauer; and many more noteworthy marine industry pioneers, the Main Stage will offer attendees thought-provoking education to bring their businesses into the future.
Technical seminar series
Conference will include presentations from the industry’s major experts on topics such as AI Afloat
The technical seminar series, produced in collaboration with the Show’s education partners – Professional BoatBuilder magazine, the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC), the NMEA and IBEX co-owner the NMMA – will dive into a range of topics from fundamental skills to cutting-edge advanced training for the boat building, design, and repair industries.
With more than 50 individual Seminars, this year’s Conference will include presentations from the industry’s major experts on topics such as AI Afloat: Assessing the Promise of Intelligent Technology for Safety, Efficiency, and Autonomy at Sea; The Perils of Paint: Creating Consistency in Yacht Coatings; Developing Full Foils for Recreational Boats; How To Conduct an Engineroom Inspection: What To Look for Working in, or Walking Through Engine Compartments; The Latest in Digital Switching: Where ABYC and NMEA Meet; and Outstanding Outsourcing: Integrating Subcontractors Into Your Team.
With all paid and verified participation at IBEX seminars, attendees can receive one Continuing Education Unit (CEU) per one hour of training.
New catalog of topics
The IBEX Education Conference will include free Tech Talk workshops all three days of the show
Also returning with a new catalog of topics from brand loyalty building to defending design and much more, the IBEX Education Conference will include free Tech Talk workshops all three days of the show in the popular Tech Talk Theater, located on the third floor exhibit hall.
Attendees can also take advantage of getting an early jump on their IBEX educational experience with special Pre-Conference sessions hosted by Show exhibitors.
Designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of marine professionals, IBEX and ABYC will host a Student Career Day on October 9, offering students from area technical schools industry exposure, meet and greet opportunities, and access to exhibit halls.
Education conference
New this year, students can use the Career Day Connections map on the BEX app to meet exhibitors with job openings, hands-on demos or who simply welcome students to the show.
The full Education Conference schedule is available on the IBEX website. The Education Conference packages and tickets are available in the registration process, with Early Bird pricing through September 5.
Central hub for collaboration
“IBEX serves as a central hub for collaboration and real-time problem solving to bring together some of the brightest minds in boatbuilding, with its educational lineup at the cornerstone,” said Mary Velline, IBEX Show Director.
“We know that our industry is facing new challenges every day and the best way to face those challenges is by learning and working together. We are very excited to bring educational opportunities to every level of marine business through this year’s expanded schedule.”
Registration is open for this year’s IBEX, scheduled to return to the Tampa Convention Center, October 7 – 9, 2025.
