IBEX 2004: Biggest boat building show ever?
BROOKLIN, Maine — Exhibition space for the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), projected to be the largest boat building trade event in the world, is quickly selling out, organizers reported in a statement yesterday.
The 2004 IBEX, set to take place Oct. 25-27 show at the Miami Beach Convention Center, is only the second event in the show’s 14-year history to be produced by founder Professional BoatBuilder magazine under co-ownership with the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The contributions of both organizations have resulted in this year’s increase in exhibition size, as 50-percent more floor space at the convention center has been procured – a 125,000-square-foot increase, IBEX said.
IBEX exhibitors who were unable to purchase size upgrades for their booths in 2003 due to space limitations have been allotted more square footage, and IBEX staff is currently assigning space to new companies. And for the first time in several years, exhibit space is now available at IBEX for new manufacturers and suppliers of competitive boat building technologies, according to organizers.
IBEX 2003, which hosted 683 exhibitors and 4,300 verified registered attendees, was the first IBEX to be hosted in October in the Miami Beach Convention Center, replacing the show’s previous February dates in Ft. Lauderdale.
“The new show dates and location have benefited the show,” said Anne Dunbar, marketing director for IBEX. “IBEX 2003 was an overwhelming success for exhibitors and attendees, and we expect this year’s show to surpass it.”
Exhibition hours extended
The IBEX exhibition hours have been expanded this year to allow attendees more time with the companies and products represented on the exhibit floor. IBEX will now be open Monday, Oct. 25, 9:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; and Oct. 27, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
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