The pace of change in our industry has never been greater. Boatbuilders, designers, and suppliers are navigating an environment that demands adaptability and bold ideas. At the same time, the breakthroughs we’re seeing in technology, materials, and processes are extraordinary. It’s this combination of pressure and possibility that makes IBEX such an important moment on the calendar.
IBEX 2025 is designed to channel that energy. Our Fast Forward theme highlights the innovations and insights that will carry us into the future, from new product launches and technical seminars to the dynamic conversations happening on our Main Stage. We’re also excited to welcome Professional BoatBuilder into the IBEX family, which expands the ways we can deliver knowledge and connect our community year-round.
No IBEX is complete without attending the Industry Breakfast, a great place to connect with marine industry friends and colleagues while starting the show with inspiration. NMMA President Frank Hugelmeyer will set the stage with his Industry Address, and keynote speaker Kevin O’Connor, Emmy Award-winning host of This Old House, will share his unique perspective.
O’Connor is the Emmy-award winning host of the PBS series This Old House and Ask This Old House and has been on the shows since 2003. While we’re in the business of building, designing, and refurbishing boats, the parallels between the work we do and O’Connor’s are striking, and this should make for a dynamic and enjoyable event. Prior to his television career, O’Connor practiced finance and he was a Senior Vice President at Bank of America.
Kevin O’Connor
Frank Hugelmeyer
The Industry Breakfast is also where we’ll celebrate the 2025 Innovation Awards, one of the marine industry’s most prestigious honors. Organized by NMMA and judged by Boating Writers International, the program recognizes manufacturers and suppliers who bring truly new and inventive products to market. Each year, the Awards spotlight technologies that advance boating, improve safety and performance, and make a lasting impact on the industry. Being in the room as these products are revealed is always a highlight of IBEX, and it perfectly captures the spirit of our Fast Forward theme.
Innovation doesn’t stop there. Two events are perfect for seeing the newest products and ideas that may not receive Innovation Award honors but are still pushing the industry forward. On Wednesday, October 8, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in Room 101 (1st Floor Press Room), Pitch the Press gives exhibiting companies the chance to present their latest products in a fast-paced, live format. Selected by top marine journalists, 12 companies will deliver rapid-fire pitches to a room full of buyers and press. It’s always an energetic session and one of the best ways to spot standout innovations early.
Also on Wednesday, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. on the Main Stage, the Start-Up Pitching Competition returns. Hosted by Yachting Ventures, this live event brings together select companies from the Start-Up Pavilion to pitch their products and technologies to a panel of investors and industry leaders. The judges will be looking for uniqueness, market potential, scalability, and impact, and for many start-ups, this competition can be a launching pad for industry partnerships and growth.
Finally, the Marine Ideas Exchange (MIX), presented in partnership with Soundings Trade Only, is an exciting new addition to IBEX. This first annual event is designed to spark fresh thinking and bold ideas for the future of the marine industry. The program will feature influential leaders like Bill Yeargin of Correct Craft, Jason Lippert of Lippert Components, and senior executives from Raymarine, Garmin, West Marine, and Winnebago Industries. Together, they’ll share insights on leadership, technology, retail, and branding in a dynamic format built to encourage collaboration and new ways of thinking.
IBEX isn’t just about seeing products or attending sessions, it’s about stepping into an environment that sparks creativity, builds community, and equips you to Fast Forward in your own business. The entire IBEX team works year-round to deliver an event that honors the work you do and provides the insights, connections, and innovations that help drive our industry forward. I encourage you to register today at ibexshow.com and make your plans to join us in Tampa this October.
Mary Velline Show Director, IBEX
About
About the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX): IBEX, Where Better Boats Begin (www.ibexshow.com), is the marine industry’s largest technical trade event in North America. IBEX is owned and produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (www.nmma.org) and RAI Amsterdam, producers of METSTRADE (www.rai.nl). The 2025 IBEX is scheduled to take place at the Tampa Convention Center, October 7 – 9, in Tampa, FL USA. For more information, please visit www.ibexshow.com.
No IBEX is complete without attending the Industry Breakfast, a great place to connect with marine industry friends and colleagues while starting the show with inspiration. NMMA President Frank Hugelmeyer will set the stage with his Industry Address, and keynote speaker Kevin O’Connor, Emmy Award-winning host of This Old House, will share his unique perspective.
