Rewarding Ingenuity. Honoring Excellence.
The IBEX Innovation Awards showcase outstanding marine product development to the recreational boating industry and beyond. The program, managed by the *National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI), is one of the marine industry’s most prestigious honors recognizing manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products to market.
ELIGIBILTY
IBEX 2023 contracted exhibitors with a product that meets all program rules and regulations are eligible for entry to the program.
- Product was not marketed or sold to any person or entity in the U.S. prior to September 29, 2022.
- Product must be on display in its finished, sellable state at the time of the show at which it is entered.
- Product must not have been previously submitted for an Innovation Award.
- Product must be sold and marketed or “shipping to market” at the time of the show at which it is entered or for sale to the public within 60 days after the end of the show. No concept products will be considered.
- Product cannot have been marketed or sold in the U.S. more than one year prior to being entered for an Innovation Award at any show.
- Participation in the Awards is limited to contracted companies exhibiting at IBEX 2023.
An official entry form must be submitted by August 23, 2023 for consideration.
*NMMA Members receive a discounted rate. To learn more about NMMA membership click here.
ENTRY FORM
An exhibiting company can access the online entry form by navigating to the Exhibitor Dashboard and selecting the IBEX Innovation Awards tile. Entry forms must be received by the August 23rd deadline for consideration to the program.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Electronic submission and acceptance of the 2023 IBEX Innovation Awards entry form by August 23, 2023.
- Entry payment remitted by August 28, 2023.
- Electronic submission of required supporting material (product video, product image and company logo) by August 28, 2023.
- Participation in onsite judges meeting taking place October 1 & 2 that will be scheduled after the entry deadline. Product must be present during meeting.
INNOVATION WAY SHOWCASE
Onsite
All IBEX Innovation Award entrants are invited to include their product(s) along Innovation Way. Display space is complimentary. Display guidelines can be reviewed here.
*Advanced Shipping – exhibitors are afforded the opportunity to ship a product to the advanced warehouse. Products should be shipped pre-assembled and have a shipping label affixed to the box.
Digital
Products will also be displayed digitally through the Innovation Way Showcase. Visit the 2022 Innovation Way Showcase to see past product entrants and winners.
AWARDS PRESENTATION
Winners will be announced during the Industry Breakfast taking place on the opening morning of IBEX – Tuesday, October 3rd. Tickets are available for purchase through IBEX registration.
IBEX 365
If your product does not qualify for entry to the program or you are looking for additional exposure, contact your sales representative for available opportunities on the IBEX 365 platform.
INNOVATION AWARDS PROGRAM
Click here to learn more about the Innovation Awards programs, including past award recipients.
QUESTIONS
Contact Rachel Harmon, Program Manager
E: rharmon@nullnmma.org
2022 IBEX Innovation Awards Winner Release
Product Winners
Boat Care and Maintenance
ElectroSea, ElectroStrainer
“This clever combination of a salt chlorinator cell and seawater strainer reduces biofouling in raw water-cooled marine plumbing systems,” said Judge Phil Gutowski. Learn More Boatbuilding Methods and Materials
Massivit 3D, Massivit 10000 Additive Tooling System
Judge Julia Carleton said, “The Massivit 10000 dramatically simplifies and shortens the process for producing complex custom molds. By combining multiple cutting-edge technologies, they have created a tool that will significantly benefit any marine manufacturer working with composites.” Learn More
Boatyard and Marina Hardware and Software
Radian IoT, Radian IoT GPS Monitoring Solution and SaaS Platform
“Starting with a simple telematics device, Radian IoT is a broad information system that promises to revise the social contract among boatbuilders, dealers, trucking companies, banks, insurers, and boaters. From a single data platform it provides boatbuilders with live inventory tracking, dealers with predictive sales analytics, and other stakeholders real-time assurance about the state of their present and future assets,” said Judge Tim Murphy. Learn More
Deck Equipment and Hardware
Overboard Technologies, Inc., Overboard Pro Mounted Fish Dehooker
“Overboard’s mounted dehooker helps anglers get from one catch to the next more quickly while reducing the amount of handling caught fish face. Fewer skewered fingers and lower mortality rates—that’s a game changer regardless of which end of the fishing rod you’re on,” said Judge Ryan Gullang. Learn More
Deck Equipment and Hardware
Navico Group, PowerBase & Antenna
Electrical Systems
Egis Mobile Electric, XD Series Triple Flex Relay / ACR / LVD w/ Knob
Judge Ben Stein said, “Egis’ XD Series Triple Flex Relay offers simple configuration and rich functionality. Its modular approach reduces components and complexity.” Learn More
Deck Equipment and Hardware
Navico Group, ProMariner ProTournamentelite
Furnishings and Interior Parts
Kenyon International Inc., VDC Grill
Judge Ed Sherman, said, “As an advocate for higher voltage DC systems on boats due to the enhanced efficiency these systems provide, I applaud Kenyon for introducing their 48-volt grill to the industry. Get the LP gas off the boat!” Learn More
Mechanical Systems
Seakeeper, Inc., Seakeeper Ride
Judge Steve Davis said, “The Seakeeper Ride is a vessel attitude control system that uses an innovative rotary blade system to control roll and pitch while underway through its proprietary inertial sensing hardware and software.” Learn More
OEM Electronics
Garmin USA, Garmin Surround View Camera System
Judge Ben Stein noted, “Garmin’s Surround View Camera System eases challenging docking and tight-quarters handling with a birds’ eye view of the boat and its surroundings. Integrating up to six cameras, it gives the kind of visibility we all want when inches matter.” Learn More
OEM Electronics
Minn Kota / Humminbird / Cannon, MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock
Propulsion Parts, Propellers
QMI, ACCUTHRUST
“The QMI Group’s Accuthrust pontoon thruster is an intuitive, flush-mounted, in-tube system that won’t restrict pontoons or tri-toons from getting into shallow depths. Even if weeds or debris get caught up, the reverse clean-out function quickly clears out the system. It’s fully waterproof and, for safety, only operates when the engines are on,” said Judge Steve Davis. Learn More
Safety Equipment
PYI Inc., Revolve
Judge Phil Gutowski said, “Deploy your boat hook like a lightsaber! This fun accessory was genuinely inspired by technology from the space industry.” Learn More Discover all 2022 product entries
2023 Judging Panel
Boating Writers International (BWI)
BWI is a professional organization consisting of writers, editors, publishers, photographers, broadcasters, public relations specialists and others in the communications profession associated with the boating industry. Members are active marine journalists across the United States, Canada, Europe and beyond.
Ed Sherman
Ed is a semi-retired ABYC Education Vice President. Author or co-author of five technical how-to books covering marine service and repair.
Steve Davis
Steve has been sailing since age seven, has a USCG 100-Ton Master (sail and power), served as a charter, delivery, shuttle, and tour boat captain for more than 20 years. He is the editor-in-chief of Southern Boating magazine and is currently a BWI board member and judge for the BWI writing contest.
Brady Kay (Chair)
Brady Kay is the executive editor of Pontoon & Deck Boat magazine and has been at the helm of the publication for over 20 years. During his tenure, Brady has tested and reviewed countless pontoon and deck boats, traveled to all 50 states for feature profiles, and has taken thousands of photos. He also currently oversees Great Lakes Boating magazine, a sister publication at Harris Publishing, and is in his third year as the president of Boating Writers International.
Andy Adams
Andy is a BWI Member and the Managing Editor for both Canadian Yachting magazine and Boating Industry Canada News Week Digest, Canada’s only marine trade media source. He has reviewed a range of power boats from PWCs to 75-footers and covers new products in the News Week Digest 50 weeks a year. He has been a regular IBEX attendee since 2004 and was an Innovation Award Judge in 2019.
Tim Murphy
Tim Murphy develops curriculum for the American Boat & Yacht Council. A Contributing Editor to BoatUS magazine, and a Cruising World Editor-at-Large, Tim has worked as a marine journalist for more that 30 years. Having directed and judged CW’s Boat of the Year program for two decades, he has sea-trialed more than 500 new boats in the last two decades. He co-wrote Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology (ABYC 2012). He is the author of Adventurous Use of the Sea (Seapoint Books, 2022). Tim holds a USCG 100-Ton Master’s license.
Ben Stein (Co-Chair)
Ben Stein is editor of Panbo.com covering marine technology. He also serves as electronics editor for Power & Motoryacht and PassageMaker magazines and is a regular contributor to Soundings. After 15 years in financial services technology, he left the corporate world to pursue his passion in boating. A USCG 100-Ton Master and ABYC certified marine electrical technician, Ben is an experienced cruiser having traveled over 20,000 nautical miles.
Julia Carelton
Julia is the Operations Manager at OceanPlanet Energy, a consulting & distribution company specializing in lithium battery & charging systems as well as custom solar solutions. She has worked extensively on sail training vessels and ocean research vessels. She holds a 500 GRT Oceans Master and a BS in Electrical Engineering.
Ryan Gullang
Ryan is a freelance writer, recent college graduate, and former recipient of the BWI Active Interest Boating Media Journalist Scholarship. Ryan has been writing articles for FishTalk, SpinSheet, PropTalk, and Boats.com with topics ranging from the health benefits of crabbing to the technical limitations of electric propulsion.
