Please select your home edition
Edition




Busy time at IBEX for industry professionals - MarineBusinessWorld.com North America newsletter

by Peter Rendle 23 Oct 2024 13:00 PDT
The International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) © National Marine Manufacturers Association

The International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) announced that this year's Show, which closed on October 3, saw three-days of quality traffic.

The docks and booths were busy, networking events and education sessions were well attended, and there were good concentrations of industry professionals. IBEX 2024 welcomed 7,500 industry professionals from 70 countries. In a refreshed layout, the show floor had 731 exhibitors on display, of which over 100 were new exhibiting companies, 12 emerging tech companies in the new Start-Up Pavilion, and an expanded outdoor display and demo area.

From the recreational fishing industry, last week, 200 leaders in the sportfishing industry joined the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) in San Diego for their annual Sportfishing Summit. The week-long event, aimed at growing their industry and recreational fishing community, included discussions on the current state of the industry, looming challenges to fisheries conservation and access, and highlighting successes from the past year. They were also joined by representatives from NOAA Marine Fisheries Service and guest speakers Toni Atkins, President pro Tempore Emeritus of the California Senate, and David Wasserman, Senior Editor and Election Analyst at The Cook Political Report.

Marinas play an essential part of our industry, and the 2023 Marina Outlook Report is now available. This survey, developed in 2019 by AMI, is designed to bring you information about the industry and is meant to be an update to their long standing Marina Trends Survey. Information in this report includes information about profit centers, revenues, and marina occupancy, and economic outlook. Data was collected in January and February of 2024, and reflects the 2023 boating season.

On the subject of marinas, Allied Strategic Partners, a Dallas-based private asset management firm, has announced the purchase of Prairie Creek Marina, located on Beaver Lake, in Rogers, Arkansas. As part of the acquisition, Blue Harbor Management, a subsidiary of ASP, will oversee the management and operations of Prairie Creek Marina.

Also, Suntex Marina Investors LLC, the largest standalone recreational marina owner in the U.S. by marina count and boat slips, announced the opening of Las Olas Marina. Reservations are now being taken for dock space available following the close of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

ComMar Sales Vice President Norm MacLeod is the 2024 recipient of the National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) Old Pro Award. The award was presented to Norm at IBEX in Tampa earlier this month. The Award recognizes a member who actively contributes to the association and the marine rep profession as a whole.

Further south, the Bermuda Tourism Authority has renewed its long-standing partnership with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club to support the Bermuda Gold Cup (for the King Edward VII Gold Cup) and the inaugural Aspen Bermuda Women's Match Race Regatta, both events to run from October 29 - November 3. This year celebrates the 72nd edition of the Bermuda Gold Cup, a founding event of the World Match Racing Tour, the world's longest running professional sailing series since 2000.

In the same region, The St Vincent and the Grenadines Sailing Association is excited to announce its partnership with Blue Life Yachting to deliver a groundbreaking "Introduction to the Yacht Charter Industry" program, aimed at empowering young people with skills in this lucrative sector. Funded by the French Embassy to the Eastern Caribbean States, Barbados and the OECS, the seven-month program attracted over 30 applicants.

More marine industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/NorthAmerica and updated daily.

Stay attentive,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media

Related Articles

Tariff rates under further consideration
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America According to an April 23 Wall Street Journal report, President Trump is considering reducing the tariff rate on Chinese imports to 50-65%. Posted on 30 Apr
Women's roles in our industry are undisputed
A summary of news relevant to businesses across Oceania The AMSA invited BIA recently to record a video Q&A to highlight the work of industry to promote women in the boating sector to all Regional Safety Committees around Australia. Posted on 24 Apr
"Steady as she goes" is the industry message
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America As the recreational boating industry faces shifting economic tides, understanding the sentiments of its leaders has never been more critical. Posted on 23 Apr
Easter is a time for industry reflection
A summary of news relevant to businesses across Oceania As Australians prepare to enjoy the Easter long weekend, the Boating Industry Association (BIA) anticipates a surge in recreational boating activity across the nation's waterways. Posted on 17 Apr
Economic pressure affects boat sales
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America As economic headwinds continue to shape consumer sentiment, the latest Monthly Recreational Boating Industry Data Summary report analyzes January 2025 data, offering a look at trends and how 2025 kicked-off ahead of the tariff and trade tensions. Posted on 16 Apr
New Sydney Boat show details to be released
A summary of news relevant to businesses across Oceania The BIA is set to announce details next week on the new Sydney Boat Show to be held over 14-17 August this year at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park. Posted on 10 Apr
More news on tariff introduction dates
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America On April 2, President Trump announced a new set of trade actions, including a 10% baseline tariff on all imported goods, effective April 5. Additional tariffs, including some that range up to 34% on Chinese imports, for example, will take effect April 9. Posted on 9 Apr
Developing Asia: Marinas and Superyachts.
Industry leaders headline at the Southeast Asia Yachting Conference 2025 The Southeast Asia Yachting Conference 2025 (SEAYC 2025) is a sell-out success with over 150 delegates signed up for the two-day programme starting today, Tuesday 8 April, 2025. Posted on 8 Apr
Boat Show circuit well under way
A summary of news relevant to businesses across Oceania The world's finest catamarans are set to take centre stage at the 36th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) from May 22-25. This year's event will feature the latest power and sail models from top local and international brands. Posted on 3 Apr
Tariffs and technology the main subjects this week
A summary of news relevant to marine businesses across North America President Trump has labelled April 2nd as "Liberation Day" - a day in which his administration is planning to impose a round of fresh tariffs particularly focused on easing trade imbalances with nations that export more goods to the U.S. than they import. Posted on 2 Apr