Special Events and Networking

Women in the Industry Summit, Leadership Panel, Awards Ceremony & Reception

Soundings Trade Only invites you for three consecutive events on Monday, October 2^nd, 2023. You may choose to join for the entire day beginning at noon or starting at 4:30pm for the Leadership Panel, Awards Ceremony, and Reception.

IBEX Industry Breakfast, Innovation Awards Presentation, and Keynote from Connor Lokar

The Industry Breakfast kicks-off IBEX and gives all in attendance the opportunity to begin the show experience networking with marine industry friends and colleagues.  Held on the opening morning of the show, all attendees will enjoy breakfast while hearing an Industry Address from Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA President, learn which new products are winners of IBEX Innovation Awards, and enjoy our timely keynote speaker, Senior Forecaster with ITR Economics Connor Lokar.

Keynote Address: Piercing Through the Noise

There is an extraordinary amount of noise concerning the status of the economy today and what the future will look like. Connor Lokar will present a dispassionate look at the trends that define the economy and inform us about the future through 2025, and discuss how it will impact attendees.

He will be looking into key industries to determine what phase of the business cycle they are in and what the future looks like for each. Some industries are faring better than others; it is important you know which industries/markets they are in order to potentially mitigate the impact of business cycle decline.

The ITR Economic assessment of labor costs and labor availability through 2025 will be presented, as these will have a prolonged impact on how we do business and what capital expenditures can help ameliorate the pressures.

Inflation is currently waning. The rate of inflation will recede as the economy weakens, but it will not be gone. Global economic expansion later this decade will again push up prices of raw materials and then finished goods. Higher labor costs will once again contribute in a significant way to the upward pricing pressure. The discussion on inflation will flow into a discussion on interest rates through at least the near term. Management objectives consistent with our forecasts for inflation and interest rates will provide actionable takeaways for attendees.

Attendees will leave the conference with the confidence that comes from an accurate, proven, analytical approach to the economy. Connor Lokar will provide attendees with clear direction regarding what will be and what must be done in order to maximize revenue and profit growth.

Questions about the Industry Breakfast? Contact Rachel Harmon, rharmon@nullnmma.org. Industry Breakfast tickets are SOLD OUT.

The Industry Breakfast is an IBEX event and registration is required.

Sponsored by:

 

Understanding the Next Generation of Boat Buyers

Join team members from Discover Boating along with special guest speakers including Marc Bland, Chief Diversity Officer of S&P Global Mobility, to take a deep dive into the changing demographics in the U.S. and what that means to the boating industry.

Registration required, but there is no charge. Light refreshments will be served.

Sponsor:

Threats to Boating Access: Vessel Speed Restrictions State of Play and Pathway Forward

Join the NMMA and Center for Sportfish Policy during IBEX for a one-hour industry panel covering the latest updates and developments related to NOAA’s proposed vessel speed restrictions on the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico and how the industry can engage to protect boating access. Hear from panelists on the current state of play, ongoing industry initiatives in opposition to the restrictions and looking ahead to pathways forward.

Panelists
Jeff Angers, Center for Sportfish Policy
John DePersenaire, Viking Yachts
Paul Ryan, DCI Group
Callie Hoyt, National Marine Manufacturers Association

For more information, contact NMMA’s Callie Hoyt at choyt@nullnmma.org.

Opening Night Party

Celebrate the opening day of IBEX at the Sail Pavilion for drinks, food, and fun with industry leaders. Located outside of the convention center, you will find drink specials, local food trucks and live DJ provided by event sponsor Wet Sounds. Guaranteed to keep the excitement of the opening day going into the evening and on into the night.

Sponsor:

The Carbon Conundrum

When it comes to fossil fuel consumption, today’s thriving boatbuilding industry is best defined by two extremes: At one end of the spectrum, designers and engineers load today’s production center consoles with five or six outboards of 12 cylinders each to indulge a market hungry for horsepower; at the other, teams of investment-fueled innovators push the potential of electric propulsion and hydrogen fuel by building clean-lined, lightweight, carbon fiber, foiling prototypes that promise sustainable if not thrilling performance. Our likely future lies somewhere in between, but to reach it boat designers, builders, and buyers will need to reconcile those divergent realities. Undoubtedly there will be successes and casualties along the way.

To help you navigate, we’ve gathered a panel of experienced naval architects, propulsion engineers, boatbuilders, and marketing experts to debate the virtues, practicalities, and shortcomings of different approaches to our collective low-carbon future. We’ll explore what efficiencies hull design and refinement offer, barriers to taking alternative fuels mainstream, discrepancies in how we measure and market sustainability, some challenges confronting builders and engine manufacturers, pragmatic carbon reduction measures, and the traditions of efficiency and adaptability in our industry. . . .

Moderated by Aaron Porter, Editor, Professional BoatBuilder magazine and Tim Murphy, Education Project Manager, American Boat & Yacht Council

PANELISTS

Brought to you by:

Pitch the Press

A live event for industry buyers and members of the press, featuring product pitches from exhibiting companies selected by industry journalists. This is a fast-paced and fun event with 12 product pitches and a happy hour included as well! Don’t miss this exciting event!

Happy Hour Sponsored by:

Emerging Marine Leaders Present Strengthening Leadership through Brand Development + Networking hosted by Boating Industry sponsored by Kicker Marine Audio

Connect, learn, share and expand your presence in the marine industry. Join EMLs and Industry veterans during this two-part event. Programming will begin with a presentation from University of Tampa, Career Readiness representatives; Mark Colvenbach, Executive Director, and Marissa Russo, Assistant Director. Through an activity-based approach, attendees will engage in topics around the importance of building a personal brand, networking with leadership and mentorship. Following, these newly developed skills will be put to use during a private social networking event. The program is free to attend. Registration requested.

Sign Up

Questions? Contact eml@nullibexshow.com

Speaker: Mark Colvenbach, Executive Director, Office of Career Services, University of Tampa
Speaker Bio: Colvenbach has served in various roles in the Office of Career Services over the past eighteen years including Manager of Employer Development and Coordinator of University Internships. Prior to joining the staff at the University of Tampa, Colvenbach worked nearly three years in the non-profit sector. Colvenbach thoroughly enjoys being active in various community organizations as well. In 2012, Colvenbach completed the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Tampa program and since has become an active committee member of the Leadership Tampa Alumni group leading Education Day as the Chair since 2017. In 2021-2022 Colvenbach served as Vice-Chair for the Leadership Tampa program, assuming the Chair role this past June. For the past five years, he has served on the Spurlino Family YMCA in the Tampa Bay area. A native of New York, Mark graduated from State University of New York at Geneseo with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Following his move to Florida, he completed his Master of Science at Florida State University.

Speaker: Marissa Russo, Assistant Director of Career Readiness, University of Tampa
Speaker Bio: Marissa holds her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida in Health Care Administration and a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina. As a higher education professional who has been in the field for 8 years as well as having a background in corporate recruiting, she has a passion for assisting anyone from college students to career professionals develop success in all aspects of their life. Whether it be that you need tips on how to maintain confidence in yourself, how to crush an interview, or how to have better work/life balance – Marissa’s got your back. She focuses on a strengths-based approach to help you be successful in college, the workplace, and in life. Her motto is that she “cares about people and likes to get stuff done” and she’s excited to work with you!

Exhibit Hall Happy Hour

Stroll the exhibit halls for this fun networking event, sponsored by Hertz Marine. Meet with exhibitors in this relaxed, casual atmosphere while enjoying food and beverage from the event sponsor and other participating exhibitors. This is a great way to network with suppliers and make new connections.

Sponsor:

Mid-Show Mixer

Get loud with Roswell Marine at the Sail Pavilion on Wednesday evening, after the show closes. Experience a new concept in clarity with Roswell R1 Marine Audio as DJ Drop Top and Dano the Mano bring the party to IBEX and take you to a place where imagination meets sound. There will be exclusive SWAG and ice cold drinks courtesy of event sponsor Roswell Marine.

Sponsor:

Student Career Day at IBEX

Students from five Florida marine technical schools (age 18+), along with their instructors, plan to attend this special one-day event which offers industry exposure, guest speakers, meet and greet with industry professionals, and access to select IBEX technical seminars. We are expecting over 70 students plus instructors who will tour the exhibit halls and attend seminars.

Innovation Way

Check out the year’s innovative and award-worthy new products on display along Innovation Way, located on the 2nd Floor within the Waterview Lounge. It’s your shortcut to identify must-see exhibits on the 2023 show floor. Take a look at the 2022 online showcase.

NMEA’s Connected Electronics Pavilion

Back again in 2023! Electronics Pavilion exhibitors will have their certified products connected via an NMEA 2000 network traveling within their booths, giving attendees the opportunity to see this technology live. See how device connectivity works, the efficiency it offers, and how it can be a solution for you.

The IBEX Docks

The IBEX Docks are located at the Tampa Convention Center waterfront & Marriott Tampa Water Street Docks and offer visitors a chance to see new technology live and on-the-water.

Test it for yourself! Get in on the action and out on the water. This is a rare opportunity to experience the newest innovations in the industry.

Outdoor Exhibits & Demo

Don’t miss the outdoor exhibits outside the Tampa Convention on the Front Circle Drive.