Judges for IBEX Innovation Awards named

CHICAGO, Ill. — Judges for the 2009 IBEX Innovation Awards have been announced, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Boating Writers International said in a release today.

The awards will be presented during the upcoming International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition & Conference, where winners will be recognized during the annual Industry Awards Breakfast on Oct. 14 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The Innovation Awards judges’ committee is made up of BWI members who perform product testing throughout the year and have specific expertise in marine OEM products and equipment. The committee is chaired by Roger Marshall, past president of BWI, yacht designer and freelance writer. The other judges are:

— Jim Barron, senior technical editor, Trailer Boats
— Dean Travis Clarke, executive editor, Sport Fishing, Marlin and Fly Fishing in Salt Waters; host, Sport Fishing Magazine TV
— Glen Justice, editor, Mad Mariner
— Marilyn Mower, editor, Southern Boating and Marine Business Journal
— Bill Pike, senior editor, Power & Motoryacht
— Alan Wendt, editor, Marine CEO

NMMA and BWI will recognize up to nine new products, plus one Environmental Award. Exhibiting companies can submit products for consideration in the following categories:

— Boatbuilding Methods & Materials (techniques and equipment to build boats)
— Hardware Fittings (anchors, deck equipment and machinery, passerelle/crane, steering mechanisms and wheels, etc.)
— Furnishings & Finishes (appliances, furniture, lighting, textiles, interior paints and finishes, etc.)
— Mechanical Systems (air conditioning, heating, plumbing, pumps, tanks and fuel systems, etc.)
— Electrical Systems (AC/DC onboard and shore power systems, batteries, electrical control and monitoring apparatus, etc.)
— OEM Electronics & Electronic Systems (entertainment, navigational, onboard systems, yacht management software, etc.)
— Inboard Engines (sterndrives, jet drives, propulsion systems, props, struts and shafts, etc.)
— Outboard Engines (outboard systems and props for outboards)
— Boatyard Hardware (yard-installed boat lifts, cranes, docks and marina equipment, software for management programs, inventory and job flow, etc.)

Innovation Award entries are currently being accepted and an application form is available online at ibexshow.com. The submission deadline is Sept. 18.

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