IBEX expands in several directions

BROOKLIN, Maine – The 50-percent increase in floor space at this year’s International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference has allowed organizers to also increase the number of exhibitors and special events available to show goers, according to an IBEX press release yesterday.

“Boatbuilding professionals from across the world will discover more new boatbuilding technologies, learn more pioneering techniques and business practices, and source more advanced tools and materials than ever before at IBEX 2004,” IBEX organizers said.

IBEX – which is to be held Oct. 25–27 at the Miami Beach Convention Center – added approximately 125,000 square-feet in floor space this year, after space limitations became an issue at the 2003 show.

Special pavilions, including an expanded international pavilion featuring more than 50 exhibitors from more than a dozen countries, are planned. A composite pavilion has also been added in response to suggestions from both IBEX exhibitors and boatbuilding attendees. It will be an expansive area totaling more than 20,000 square feet of exhibition space, and hosting 85 exhibitors, IBEX organizers said.

“The continued growth of and interest in composite boatbuilding created an industry-wide need to draw attention to composite manufacturers and suppliers,” said Carl Cramer, IBEX show co-director. “Now IBEX attendees will be able to review composite tools and materials in one place, simplifying the sourcing process.”

DemoZone returns

Composite products can also be viewed in action at IBEX in the Outdoor Demonstration Area, which features the annual DemoZone. It has been expanded to allow 19 companies to display and demonstrate their most advanced new technologies in a hands-on exhibition, show organizers said.

Six of those companies will be taking part in the DemoZone, where attendees can view the vacuum-infusion process in step-by-step concurrent demonstrations.

Also returning for their second years are the IBEX Industry Awards Breakfast, Oct. 27, and Rep Night, an invitation-only gathering of manufacturers’ representatives and their boatbuilding customers.

New for this year are NMMA’s presentation of Marine Data Exchange software and a special session on marine statistics.

“These two new sessions are geared toward helping attendees improve their business,” said IBEX co-director Jennifer Thompson.

The marine statistics seminar is designed to show attendees how using accurate and timely statistical information can help in understanding purchasing trends and developing sales forecasting strategies. The MDX session will demonstrate how the data exchange system can help manufacturers and boat builders save time and money, Thompson said.

Hours expanded

The IBEX exhibition hours have been expanded this year to allow attendees more time with the companies and products. IBEX will now be open Monday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Oct. 27, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

IBEX is owned and produced by Professional BoatBuilder magazine and the National Marine Manufacturers Association. For more information, visit the IBEX Web site at www.ibexshow.com.

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