IBEX welcomes boatbuilders and marine industry professionals to Tampa next week

International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) © Kate Holden

Attendees of the 28th International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) will be arriving next week in Tampa, Florida. Held from October 1st to October 4th in the Tampa Convention Center, IBEX will feature three show floors with over 700 exhibitors from 21 different countries, pavilions, and a variety of educational and entertainment opportunities.

Super Sessions begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, October 1st with one Super Session on Sunday, Sept. 30th. First and second floor exhibit halls are open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 2nd and 3rd, and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 4th. Third floor exhibit halls are open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday. Special pavilions, this year include the Composite Pavilion; Marina & Yard Pavilion; Compliance, Standards, & Education Pavilion; and the International Pavilions from Australia, South Korea, Italy, and France. Outdoor displays and demos will take place as well, and there will be over 35 boats on the IBEX Docks.

Live and ongoing activities include Designer Row, Innovation Way, the Electronics Pavilion Connected by NMEA 2000, and the IBEX Docks and Outdoor Exhibits. In addition, visitors can enjoy education sessions, panel discussions, networking and social events. On Sunday, September 30th and Monday, October 1st, Super Sessions offer nine options for comprehensive, full and half-day courses in topics ranging from Modern Scantlings to Digital Marketing. Throughout IBEX, attendees will also have the opportunity to attend 25 unique, hour-long Tech Talk workshops presented by over two dozen exhibiting companies.

Special events include the sold-out Industry Breakfast and Awards Ceremony; SPARKS! An Inspirational Night of Boat Design Concepts, powered by Pecha Kucha, where 12 designers will present their design concepts through 20 slides, at 20 seconds each; the Opening Night Party at The Sail Pavilion; and IBEX Product Pitches, among others. For a complete list of IBEX events, visit www.ibexshow.com/schedule-at-a-glance.

"IBEX offers attendees so much in terms of technical education, industry innovation, and networking," said Anne Dunbar, IBEX Show Director. "The start of the Show is always the most exciting time as it is the culmination of months of planning and preparation. From the education conference, the face-to-face, and the hundreds of exhibits, IBEX offers visitors a truly unique experience that no other industry event does. We are so excited to welcome everyone and kick things off."

To register for a free exhibit hall badge, please complete your registration by September 29th. Starting September 30th exhibit hall badges are $25. Visit www.ibexshow.com/register to register. For more information on IBEX 2018, exhibiting companies, interactive exhibit hall floor plans, and more, please visit www.ibexshow.com.