I might be dating myself here, but what was the name of that TV game show that the host would shout, “ Survey says!?” I’ve been stealing his line lately. We recently sent out via email an extremely comprehensive IBEX and MAAT survey. Pretty much anyone that attended IBEX, or MAATS, in the past few years was sent the survey. PLEASE take the time to complete it. We value your opinion and will use the information gathered to make sure IBEX continues to be valuable to you. If you are not a survey taker type of person, feel free to post all your thoughts here. We are listening. Oh, and if you can remember the name of that game show, let me know.

Yes, Tina and I have started to assign booths for IBEX 2010. If you are a 2009 exhibitor who has NOT sent in a 2010 contract then Uh OH! The process is the same as always. Tina and I contact each exhibitor based on earned show points combined with NMMA member points. Everyone has to wait his or her turn. The process is slow going, but worth the effort because each exhibitor is allowed to select their own booth location. This is the perfect method because if an exhibitor picks their own location then two things happen.
1) The exhibitor is in control, and has selected a location that makes them happy.
2) We eliminate any complaints on-site about booth location.
There is nothing worse than an exhibitor who is unhappy with their booth location. Trust me, I know. I’ve been one! Our booth location at METS (our second favorite marine trade show) totally sucked this year! Our friends at METS stuck all the magazines in the new Elysium area, and didn’t think about traffic flow therefore, we had ZERO traffic. During METS we normally give away hundreds of Professional BoatBuilder magazines, but not this year. We had BOXES left all over, all because of this horrid location. We are hopeful that our friends at The RAI will correct this situation. So, be thankful YOU get to pick your location! It’s a nice privilege.

We just returned from another enjoyable trip to Louisville, Kentucky. My flight was only $200. on Southwest airlines. The shorter travel time to and from KY is wonderful. It took twice as long, and cost twice as much for me to get to Miami. Each time I visit Louisville, I like it more, and I am confident you will, too. This visit was for the annual meeting of the IBEX Planning Committee. The committee is made up of exhibitors and boat builders. This year we included the Maats Planning Committee as the shows will now be held at the same time. We had great discussions and many ideas were shared on how to make IBEX and Maats the best possible value and experience for everyone. If YOU have any thought on how to improve your IBEX or Maats experience, please post a comment here, and let us know. If you are going to complain about moving IBEX to Louisville, I suggest you wait until after IBEX 2010. You can’t knock it until you’ve tried it, and I am pretty confident you are going to like it. Anne D.

We just returned from a quick planning trip to Louisville, Kentucky. Tina and I went down to see the Kentucky Expo Center during the RVIA show to observe how they used the exhibit space, and to gather some ideas for IBEX 2010, etc. RVIA looked good, and seemed fairly lively which certainly is a positive indicator for the marine industry. While in Lousiville, we enjoyed two great dinners. One night we ate at “Rivue” located on the top floor of The Galt House, a large hotel located in the middle of downtown. The restaurant has amazing panoramic views of the city. This is an excellent space for a private party. The Galt House is HUGE, and recently enjoyed a $60 million renovation. It has everything, including five more restaurants, large rooms, and an amazing gym. Tina and I give The Galt House a big thumbs up. The second night we ate at Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge downtown on Fourth Street, the local party area. This restaurant is one of nine “celebrated bourbon restaurants and bars” on the famous Louisville “Urban Bourbon Trail.” I was brave and sampled the bourbon. Tina stayed with her pink drinks. It was Tina’s first trip to Louisville, and she was impressed. Next time you talk to her, ask her about it. We both agreed it seemed pretty lively for a Tuesday night in December. Once we get to know our way around Louisville, I think we all will be pretty happy there. Do you have a favorite restaurant or hotel in Lousiville? Let us know.

For those of you who still don’t understand WHY we selected Louisville, Kentucky as our future site, please CLICK HERE and review the pdf.

I talked to more boat builders than ever before at IBEX 2009, and I wasn’t even trying. Presidents, purchasing agents, engineers, they were all there. I ran into them in the aisles, and I met them while visiting exhibits. The exhibit halls were humming, and business was happening. One exhibitor described it best. “Everyone who matters is here.” Lots of talk about moving IBEX to Louisville. Lots. Most of it positive, but there are naysayers. Anyone located in South Florida, or those who enjoyed the all expense paid annual trip to South Beach, are not happy. See comments on the earlier blog for some real insight, and feel free to share your thoughts. After spending a week living down there, I feel our decision to move IBEX out of Miami is just in time. The atmosphere continues to decline as costs increase. No murder in front of a show hotel this year, but one exhibitor was burglarized in his hotel room while he was asleep, another had a car stolen, and my associate ordered a Myers rum & orange juice and it cost $18.50. How was your IBEX experience? Let us know.

I was asking myself that question as I boarded a flight to Louisville, Kentucky, back in April. Louisville was the third city we were visiting out of four cities that made the final list as prospective IBEX sites. The entire IBEX site selection travel team was skeptical before we even arrived, but our minds got changed, and quickly. ( Don’t blame the bourbon.) Louisville is a great little city. It’s perfect for IBEX. The convention center is fantastic, the hotels are all name brands, and the people are friendly! It’s a central location, and everyone will enjoy lower costs on just about everything. Did I mention there are tons of great restaurants? The slogan of the city is “Louisville…It’s Possible Here.” On our way out of town, we were all stunned at what we had seen and experienced. It really is possible here. Please share your thoughts on Louisville with us.

I recently asked a long time IBEX exhibitor about a sentence I included in a recent IBEX Attendee E-News, which is sent out to more than 10,000+ marine professionals each month. The sentence in question was “Don’t sit at your desk, waiting for the phone to ring. Attend IBEX. “ I wondered if that line was a bit much? After all, we are ALL watching our budgets, so who am I to lecture? Here is what this IBEX exhibitor had to say.
“Your message is on the money. Come to IBEX and make things happen, or stay home and wither. I am tired of whiners who sit at their desk, or worse, sit in their booth, and expect people to come to them. The hunter goes out and makes the kill, making things happen, sets the pace. Those are the ones who will survive this mess.”
His response shouldn’t have surprised me. He is making things happen with his company, and aggressively positioning himself for when the boat business does turn around. So, don’t just sit there. The time is now to send a strong message to any of your boat-building customers who are saying they are not coming to IBEX. None of us have extra cash to burn, but IBEX is an important step in the right direction. We can make things happen, but you have to leave your desk. What are YOU doing to invite your customers to IBEX?

and booths are selling for IBEX 2009. After months of little to no activity, we are hearing from new companies interested in exhibiting at IBEX 2009, and many are investing in booth space. Let’s put the doom and gloom behind us. Good things are happening. As of today we have more than 50 new exhibitors, and more than 500 total exhibitors for IBEX 2009. Many exhibitors are reporting that their boatbuilding customers are slowly starting to build boats. Yes, significantly less than normal, but something is better than nothing. Another IBEX exhibitor recently informed me that their RV business is picking up steadily, which is another positive indicator. The 2009 marketing message for IBEX is Rethink. Revise. Recover. This applies to all of us. Everyone who wants to survive must rethink all aspects of their business. Meeting face to face with peers and speaking directly with your surviving business partners during IBEX 2009 is a logical part of the process. Working together, we can move our industry forward. Are you taking the time to encourage your customers and marine industry peers to attend at IBEX 2009? If not, get going. Pick up the phone, and let’s make IBEX the beginning of our marine industry recovery. Anne Dunbar, IBEX Marketing Director.

“ Insanity is doing the same behavior over and over again yet expecting the same results.”
Benjamin Franklin

“We live in an over communicated society” according to legendary marketing strategist, Al Ries, who, along with his daughter, acclaimed author, Laura Ries, will speak to the boat building industry at a special opening night presentation at IBEX 2009. If you have a few minutes, do yourself a favor and watch the sneak peek video on the IBEX web site and see for yourself what you will learn by attending “ Focus For Boat Builders. You Company depends on it.” on Monday evening, October 12th. Click HERE to go directly to the page that offers the video.

WARNING: I guarantee you that watching this short seven-minute preview video will inspire and empower you with a clear goal for your company. You will experience an “ AHA” moment.
Enjoy, and if you want tickets, just go to IBEX online registration.
Anne Dunbar, IBEX Marketing.

Translation: Latin for “Let the buyer beware.” IBEX, and many other trade shows that offer comprehensive exhibitor lists on their web sites, has fallen prey to several unscrupulous companies who contact exhibitors and falsely represent themselves as being affiliated with IBEX, Professional BoatBuilder magazine, or NMMA. Many of you have recently received a letter from a company called Expo Guide asking you to update your IBEX/Professional Boat Builder information for a “free pre-registered directory listing.” A return envelope with an pre-affixed air mail stamp and a return address to Germany is included. The German address is your first clue that this is not a legitimate IBEX or NMMA product. Clearly it is a scam, and you should not respond. There is a similar ” free show directory listing” offered by a “Fair Guide”company based in Mexico, too. These offers can be VERY deceiving, and many have fallen prey to these groups who then harrass you for payment of the hidden fees offered in the small print. When you receive a questionable offer claiming to be IBEX ( This includes hotel offers!) please just take a moment, and ask either Tina, or myself. If you have been harrassed by one of these companies, please share your story, and advice to fellow exhibitors. Click the Comments hyper-link below to submit your comments. Anne Dunbar, IBEX Marketing Director