International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) - Experts & Thought Leaders

The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) announced that this year’s show, which closed on Thursday, October 9, saw year-over-year growth in attendance, reinforcing its position as North America’s premier marine event. From networking events to insightful seminars and bustling docks and booths, IBEX 2025 brought decision makers together to move the industry “Fast Forward.” South Florida marine technical programs IBEX 2025 welcomed 7600 professionals from more than 70 countries to a packed Tampa Convention Centre. The show featured displays from 710 exhibitors, including 115 companies that were new to IBEX this year. Also attending their first show were in excess of 70 students from South Florida marine technical programs. These future boatbuilders and marine technicians were part of the IBEX Career Day program, produced in collaboration with the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC).  Next generation of material and technological advancements The show kicked off in high gear on Tuesday, October 7 at the annual Industry Breakfast, Innovation Awards Presentation and Keynote, attended by more than 900 industry professionals. NMMA President and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer delivered his Industry Address, while Kevin O’Connor, Emmy Award-winning TV host of This Old House and Ask This Old House, gave an inspiring keynote. The Innovation Awards judges recognised the next generation of material and technological advancements, announcing 12 Innovation Award winners and four honourable mentions, chosen from among the program-record 112 entries submitted by exhibiting marine industry companies. Products can be viewed on the online Innovation Way Showcase. IBEX’s exclusive lineup New educational experiences, such as the Marine Ideas Exchange (MIX) on the IBEX Main Stage, along with signature networking events like Pitch the Press, the Opening Night Party, and the Mid-Show Mixer, drew impressive crowds and contributed to a notable increase in overall education participation. At the core of the event was IBEX’s exclusive lineup of curated, expert-led technical sessions offering highly specialised content available only at IBEX. These sessions delivered the in-depth, hands-on learning the show is known for, covering advanced boatbuilding techniques, materials innovation, systems integration, and design solutions. Reinforced IBEX’s position Complementing this technical focus, new Main Stage programming expanded the conversation to include broader themes in business strategy and leadership, offering fresh perspectives and actionable insights that resonated with attendees. Together, these educational and networking opportunities reinforced IBEX’s position as the marine industry’s essential platform for innovation, learning, and connection. Network of innovators “Boatbuilding is a decentralised and diverse industry, strengthened by a global network of innovators and skilled professionals,” said Mary Velline, IBEX Show Director, adding “IBEX brings that community together each year to share challenges, celebrate breakthroughs, and spark the ideas that move our industry forward.” Exhibitors and attendees had positive comments about all elements of the Show. Develop new models “From preshow promotion to the nuts and bolts of the show, we feel it was a resounding success,” said Pat Brown, President of Teak Isle, adding “We noticed that the builders seemed to be bringing larger groups of people this year than in the past. This showed their dedication to needing to develop new models and that IBEX is the place to find the information and products to do that.” New Foulfree™ Multi-Surface System “IBEX is always a fantastic opportunity to connect with our partners, distributors, media, and friends from across the marine industry,” said Marcus Hamilton, CEO, Propspeed, adding “This year was especially exciting as we introduced the new Foulfree™ Multi-Surface System and received such positive feedback from the market. It’s a show that continues to help us build relationships and share our innovations with the people who make this industry thrive.” Number of new leads and opportunities “This was the best show we’ve had in the past four years,” said Kent Jopling, Senior Global Sales Manager, Special Markets, Harman Marine, adding “We were able to display many new technologies that will make ‘the life in a day of a boater’ less stressful and more enjoyable.” He continues, "Boat builders obviously recognised this which was evident in the number of new leads and opportunities we walked away with from IBEX. Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and go to work turning opportunities into reality.” New OEM customers "It was a great show for Boat Fix,” said Boat Fix Founder, Alastair Crawford, adding “We definitely felt that there was more quality foot traffic in terms of visitor attendance." He continues, "It was great to see both existing and new OEM customers - and interestingly we are now being approached in record numbers by boat manufacturers realising the gamechanger value of our after sales support and 24/7 customer service."  IBEX will return to the Tampa Convention Centre, with IBEX 2026 Show dates set for October 6 – 8, 2026.

The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), North America’s premier technical trade event for the recreational marine industry, announced the esteemed list of judges for the 22nd IBEX Innovation Awards Program. Managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and independently judged by Boating Writers International (BWI), the programme is one of the marine industry’s most prestigious honours recognising manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products to market. Year’s programme This year’s programme marks the largest to date, with more than 110 products entered  This year’s programme marks the largest to date, with more than 110 products entered from a multitude of companies across the marine industry. Product entries can be reviewed along Innovation Way, located on the second floor rotunda throughout the days of the Show. This year’s awards will be presented at the annual Industry Breakfast, featuring the Innovation Awards Presentation, State of the Industry Address and Keynote, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7, at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, Tampa Bay Ballroom. Sponsored by AWLGRIP North America, Honda Marine, Interlux Yacht Finishes, Sea Hawk Paints, Suzuki Marine and Tides Marine Inc., the Industry Breakfast kicks-off IBEX and is anticipated to sell out. Tickets can be purchased during the registration process or by accessing the registration portal for those already registered. Meet the trailblazers IBEX will host an Innovation Meet & Greet along Innovation Way from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday New this year, IBEX will host an Innovation Meet & Greet along Innovation Way from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7. This first-ever event will offer attendees the opportunity to meet the trailblazers behind 100-plus inventions and innovations entered into this year’s Awards program. “IBEX is the centerpiece to fostering, encouraging and showcasing innovation in the manufacturing segment of the marine industry to improve the boating lifestyle,” said Mary Velline, IBEX Show Director. “Each and every year we’re honoured to celebrate innovators and the revolutionary concepts, products and solutions that continue to impact the future of boating. We know the Innovation Awards are a moment of extreme pride for both entrants and winners, and we’re looking forward to highlighting this year’s winners.” Innovation across the industry “Judging all of these new products and solutions, as well as selecting winners is a huge undertaking, however, it is always fascinating to see the innovation across the industry,” said Ben Stein, Chair, Innovation Awards. “I am very grateful for my fellow judges and the dedication of their time, energy and expertise. I know I can speak for all of them in saying we are eager to see all of this year’s entries and look forward to welcoming winners with this prestigious honour.” Panel of judges Each of the eight BWI judges comes to IBEX with various technical and boating backgrounds. The panel of judges for the 2025 IBEX Innovation Awards are: Ben Stein (Chair): Ben Stein is editor of Panbo.com covering marine technology. He also writes a monthly Getting Technical column for Soundings Trade Only and serves as electronics editor for Power & Motoryacht. Stein chairs the NMMA’s Innovation awards at IBEX and co-chairs the awards at the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show. Additionally, he is a member of DAME design awards jury at Metstrade. After 15 years in financial services technology, he left the corporate world to pursue his passion in boating. Stein is the current president of Boating Writers International, a USCG 100-Ton Master, and ABYC certified marine electrical technician. Tim Murphy (Co-Chair): Tim Murphy is the education director for the American Boat & Yacht Council. A contributing editor to BoatUS Magazine, and a Cruising World editor-at-large, Murphy has worked as a marine journalist for more that 30 years. Having directed and judged Cruising World’s Boat of the Year programme for two decades, he has sea-trialed more than 500 new boats in that time. He co-wrote Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology (ABYC 2012). He is the author of Adventurous Use of the Sea (Seapoint Books, 2022). Murphy holds a USCG 100-Ton Master’s license. Theresa Nicholson: Theresa Nicholson is an award-winning journalist who has covered the marine industry for 25 years. She is the former senior editor of Cruising World, and an IBEX Innovation Award and Newport for New Products judge. This past summer she worked at the marina in Yellowstone National Park. Nicholson lived aboard her 31-foot ketch for 11 years and sailed from Miami to Malaysia. Her work currently focuses on weather, marine safety, risk analysis, the environment and high latitude sailing. Pim Van Hemmen: Pim Van Hemmen is the former deputy editor of Soundings magazine. In a previous life he spent 25 years in the newspaper industry and another decade as a nautical photographer. He is a lifelong boater and when he isn’t photographing or writing about boats, he can be found on the water aboard his Zodiac RIB. Wendy Mitman Clarke: Wendy Mitman Clarke is a 35-year marine industry and general assignment writer and journalist who most recently was editor-in-chief of SAIL magazine. A lifelong sailor, she has cruised and raced all manner of boats, including four years cruising fulltime with her family and numerous offshore passages and races. She and her husband own a 1978 Peterson 34 they sail regularly on the Chesapeake Bay, and a 1966 Cal 40 they are restoring. She's won multiple awards for her work, which you can peruse at wendymitmanclarke.com. Pete McDonald: Pete McDonald is the executive editor of Boating Magazine, where he first started working in 1998. He's also been a BWI member since 1999 and started serving on the board in 2023. Steve Mitchell: Steve Mitchell is a year-round Pacific Northwest cruiser aboard his 50-foot steel trawler and a lifelong boater with experience in both sail and power. With decades in the technology industry and over 20 years of hands-on experience designing and installing marine electronics, electrical systems, and optimised solutions for customers, he blends technical expertise with real-world cruising insight. As founder of SeaBits, he tests, reviews, and consults on the latest marine technology, and contributes to 48° North and other boating publications. Ryan Gullang: Ryan Gullang is the Communications Coordinator and Program Manager for Annapolis Boat Shows. As a freelance writer, his DIY and tech articles have appeared in BoatUS, Boats.com, FishTalk, and SpinSheet Magazine. He has served on three NMMA Innovation Award panels and, in 2021, received the BWI Active Interest Boating Media Journalist Scholarship. Registration is open for this year’s Show, set to take place at the Tampa Convention Center, October 7 – 9, 2025.

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.