Dynamic Start to the 24th Annual International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference in Tampa
TAMPA, FL, October 1, 2014 - From an entertaining speech from Bob Knight to kick off IBEX to the close where Country Singer Jake Owen made a surprise guest appearance, thousands of marine professionals who attended the opening day of the 24th annual International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference were not disappointed with the energy and excitement about the future of the boatbuilding industry. The exhibit hall is open on Wednesday, October 1st from 10 am to 6 pm and again on Thursday, October 2nd from 10 am to 3 pm with the IBEX Seminar Series starting each day at 8:30 am.
The event started with an inspiring and entertaining speech from legendary basketball coach Bob Knight who talked to the standing room only crowd of marine industry professionals about winning, but more importantly how to lose. He talked about his illustrious career and how he coached his young players about the game of basketball and about the game of life.
At 10 am the doors to the sold out exhibit floor opened where attendees packed the aisles to see many of the new and award winning products. With 573 exhibiting companies, of which 142 exhibitors did not exhibit in 2013 and 80 are first time exhibitors, there was no shortage of innovation on the show floor.
Boating Writers International (BWI) members selected 20 of the show's best new products for a Pitch the Press event which dazzled the crowd with everything from Metal Flex Gel Coat from HK Research as shown below to Bluetooth volume control, smartphone chargers for the countertop, connected boat technology, a massaging and heated toilet seat to the Docktail cocktail bar.
The rain might have forced the Party for Purpose events indoors, but spirits were high as the industry gathered to network and help support the advocacy work being done in Washington on behalf of the boating industry. The event was sponsored by the NMMA's Accessory Manufacturers Division (AMD) Board of Directors and had a surprise appearance by Country Music Star Jake Owens who met with attendees.
On Wednesday, October 1st the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is presenting an informative session on How to Target and Engage New or Underserved Audiences including the Hispanic Community at a seminar from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. Also attendees and exhibitors are invited to the Compliance & Standards Coffee where they can learn more about ISO and ABYC compliance and certification from subject matter experts.
For the first time at IBEX, 25 leading manufacturers have boats at the dock space at the Tampa Convention Center for on-the-water exhibits and demonstrations where they are showcasing the latest products for the marine industry. On the show floor attendees will definitely want to take time to visit The Connected Boat, the 3D Digital Workshop, and the Material ConneXion.
Editor's Note - high resolution photos are available upon request.
About IBEX: Owned and produced by Professional BoatBuilder magazine and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), IBEX is the marine industry's largest technical trade event. For boatbuilders, marine industry dealers, aftermarket suppliers and buyers, designers, repairers, surveyors, and boatyard/marine operators, IBEX is where better boats begin. For the latest information, visit www.ibexshow.com.
About Professional BoatBuilder magazine: Professional BoatBuilder, a boatbuilding-industry trade magazine, was first published in 1989 in response to a growing need for a dedicated forum for boatbuilding-related professionals. The magazine's worldwide readership exceeds 24,000. Professional BoatBuilder is online at www.proboat.com.
About NMMA: The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association for the North American recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in North America. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. Learn more at www.nmma.org.