IBEX 2025 announces full schedule of events and networking opportunities

IBEX 2025 announces full schedule of events and networking opportunities © IBEX

The International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), North America's premier technical trade event for the recreational marine industry, announced today its full schedule of networking opportunities for the 2025 Show, taking place at the Tampa Convention Center, Oct. 7-9.

Each day at this year's Show will feature a variety of special events and networking opportunities, including the popular Opening Night Party, sponsored by Wet Sounds, Inc. and the Mid-Show Mixer, sponsored by Roswell Marine, both taking place outside at the Sail Pavilion. New this year, the Marine Ideas Exchange (MIX), presented by IBEX and Soundings Trade Only, highlights some of the industry's most influential voices offering insights on leadership, technology, branding, retail and organization culture on Wednesday morning. Wednesday will also feature the return of Pitch the Press, a fast-paced, dynamic forum for industry buyers and press to hear various product pitches from select exhibitors. On Thursday, ABYC's successful Student Career Day returns for its third year, bringing real-life marine industry exposure, meet and greet opportunities and exhibit hall access to area technical school students and instructors. The full events schedule can be found here.

A staple of every IBEX, this year's Show will again officially kick off with the Opening Day Industry Breakfast, featuring an Industry Address from NMMA President, Frank Hugelmeyer and a keynote from Emmy-award winning television host, Kevin O'Connor. The Breakfast will also include the presentation of the 2025 IBEX Innovation Awards. Tickets for this year's Industry Breakfast always sell out, but there are a few spots still available and can be purchased during Show registration. The Industry Breakfast is sponsored by AWLGRIP North America, Honda Marine, Interlux Yacht Finishes, Sea Hawk Paints, Suzuki Marine and Tides Marine Inc. Following the Industry Breakfast presentation of the 2025 IBEX Innovation Award winners, at 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., participants in the program will have an informal meet and greet with other exhibitors at Innovation Way on the second floor.

This year's IBEX Main Stage will showcase special sessions every day of the Show, with topics ranging from managing tariffs, trade and supply chain to workforce development, and much more. Featuring speakers like 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 leaders, the Main Stage will offer attendees thought-provoking education to bring their businesses into the future.

For designers interested in the latest in cutting-edge technologies, a Main Stage presentation worth considering is on Tuesday from 11-12:30, is the Developing Full Foils for Recreational Boats. Presented by IBEX and Professional BoatBuilder magazine, speakers Aaron Porter, Editor of Professional BoatBuilder; Pete Melvin, CEO at Morrelli & Melvin Design & Engineering; Mike Peasgood, CEO and Founder at ENVGO; and Ferdinand van West, Naval Architect at Morrelli & Melvin Design & Engineering will discuss what has worked and what hasn't as they've created recreational foiling vessels to meet consumer expectations for this emerging market.

If the impact of market uncertainty is of interest, one session that focuses on this is the Main Stage session presented by the NMMA entitled Managing Tariffs, Trade, and Supply Chain. This dynamic session on Thursday from 4 to 5:30 features speakers Robyn Boerstling, Chief Advocacy Officer, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at NMMA; Marie-France MacKinnon, Executive Director Canada at NMMA; and Peter Barrett, Senior Executive Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development at Smoker Craft, Inc. The session will cover topics such as managing risk in the North American recreational boating market as American and Canadian companies and their consumers feel the ongoing impacts of an evolving U.S.-Canadian relationship.

For hiring managers interested in attracting new talent, schedule Main Stage session on Thursday from 11 to 12:30 entitled Technical Schools and Your Next Hire. In this engaging forum, speakers Rebecca Cute, Talent Acquisition Manager at Safe Harbor Marinas; Tim Murphy, Education Project Manager at ABYC; Keith Rollins, Instructor at Suncoast Technical College; and Zach Volpicelli, Marine Systems Program Instructor at The Landing School discuss why more and more students are opting for Career Technical Education (CTE), which gets them into the workforce faster and how to find and attract these potential new hires.

The full Education Conference schedule is available on the IBEX website. The Education Conference packages and tickets are available in the registration process.

Getting around just got easier and more fun at IBEX. This year, attendees can enjoy free golf cart rides during all show hours and on-site evening events Tuesday and Wednesday. Sponsored by Tides Marine, the "Tide Rides" will pick up at Front Drive and Franklin Streets and shuttle guests to the Westin, Hilton, Marriott Water Street, JW Marriott, and Embassy Suites. Hop on, relax, and "Let the Tides Carry You" wherever you need to go. It's Tides' way of making the IBEX experience even smoother.

"IBEX is the ultimate place in North America for marine industry professionals to come network with colleagues and friends," said Mary Velline, IBEX Show Director. "The opportunities to connect together and drive innovation are what makes the IBEX community so unique, and our team has put together a packed schedule to support that growth in learning together. We look forward to welcoming visitors to another great year of IBEX, where there's truly something for everyone."

Registration is open for this year's IBEX, scheduled to return to the Tampa Convention Center, October 7 - 9, 2025. Visitors and exhibitors looking to add booth staff and accredited press can visit here for registration. To learn about the products, services, and companies that are driving the future of marine industry technology, visit here to visit IBEX 365.