IBEX 365 News
IBEX Main Stage Reimagined: A New Waterfront Hub for Industry Insights and Innovation
The IBEX Main Stage has always been a place to share ideas. In 2026, it’s evolving into something even bigger.
This year, the Main Stage is moving from the Education Hallway to a prominent waterfront location on the 3rd floor exhibit hall of the Tampa Convention Center, creating an open, welcoming space where attendees can gather, learn, and connect throughout the week.
Even better, all Main Stage programming will be FREE for attendees and exhibitors.
The relocation reflects a broader evolution taking place across IBEX. As the recreational marine industry becomes connected, so do the conversations that drive it. The Main Stage is designed to make those conversations more visible and accessible, creating opportunities for attendees to engage in new ideas, challenge assumptions, and connect with peers throughout the show. It also reflects IBEX’s long-term vision to create an even more connected experience that brings together every corner of the recreational marine industry through education, innovation, and meaningful conversation.
The reimagined Main Stage is designed to bring the industry’s biggest conversations front and center. From emerging technologies and market trends to leadership insights and real-world success stories, the stage will feature a variety of Tech Talks, panel discussions, and presentations that offer something for everyone in the marine industry.
More than ever, the Main Stage will serve as a hub for the ideas, innovations, and conversations driving the future of boating. It’s a place where attendees can step away from the show floor, hear directly from industry leaders and innovators, and gain valuable insights into the trends, challenges, and opportunities influencing the marine market. Whether you’re a boatbuilder, manufacturer, dealer, distributor, designer, or supplier, you’ll find content that informs, inspires, and sparks new ways of thinking. The Main Stage complements IBEX’s world-class technical education program by creating an open forum for timely conversations that every attendee can access complimentary throughout the week.
The waterfront setting also creates a natural gathering place for the industry.
Located alongside the newly refreshed IBEX lounge, attendees will find a variety of seating options designed to support everything from one-on-one conversations to small group discussions between presentations. Whether you’re stopping by to catch a session, continue a conversation, meet with colleagues, or simply recharge between meetings, the area is designed to encourage the kind of connections that have always been at the heart of IBEX. After all, some of the best ideas begin with an unexpected conversation.
“I am truly excited to announce that Main Stage is moving to a dynamic new location this year, and the programming we have curated reflects the ambition and vision of this industry at its finest. Attendees can expect compelling presentations and high-level discussions spanning AI, marine innovation, the business of boating, industry advancement, and thought leadership from some of the most influential voices in our field. Main Stage is free to all attendees, and I encourage everyone to take full advantage of this exceptional opportunity.”
— Mary Velline, Show Director
The reimagined Main Stage represents a new way to experience IBEX, bringing industry insights, innovation, and community together in one waterfront destination. As IBEX continues to evolve, so will the opportunities for industry-wide conversations that extend beyond the show floor and bring together professionals from across the recreational marine market.
Join the conversations. Meet the innovators. Experience the new waterfront Main Stage at IBEX 2026.
