U.S. Olympic hockey goalie Jim Craig to keynote IBEX industry breakfast
Olympic Gold Medalist from the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Hockey Team, Goalie Jim Craig, will deliver the keynote presentation at the 2017 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference’s Industry Breakfast on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at the Tampa Waterside Marriott Hotel across from the Tampa Convention Center, where IBEX will be held.
“The Industry Breakfast is the best way to kick off IBEX, an annual highlight of the show featuring industry pioneers paving the way for the future of marine products, plus key insights into the state of boating and U.S. economy, and our amazing keynote speaker for 2017, Jim Craig,” said Anne Dunbar, IBEX show director. “We encourage people to register early for the Industry Breakfast, as this event will sell out quickly.”
Jim Craig is widely known as the heart and soul of the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey team. The “Miracle on Ice” victory for the United States over the seemingly unbeatable Soviet Union team is largely regarded as one of the most extraordinary sports victories of all time, and the team’s success is attributed to exceptional teamwork. Jim has parlayed his incredible work ethic and determination into an impressive sales career, spanning over 30 years. He has also translated many of the essential teamwork principles from the Olympics into successful business methods. He will use these methods to both educate and assist the IBEX audience in order to develop a team-oriented environment and that will allow businesses to successfully overcome the many challenges that they face.
“We’re excited to welcome Olympian Jim Craig to deliver the keynote address at the annual IBEX Industry Breakfast. We look forward to learning more from his experiences on and off the ice and how his insights can inspire our work in the marine industry,” said Thom Dammrich, National Marine Manufacturers Association president.
Additional Industry Breakfast highlights include several important boating industry awards’ presentations, including the prestigious IBEX Innovation Awards, which showcase outstanding marine product development in the recreational boating industry and honor the manufacturers bringing these products to market. The IBEX Innovation Awards program is managed by NMMA and judged by BWI; entry to the 2017 program is open and will close on Friday, Aug. 4. Exhibitors interested in participating should click here for full program details. Find the 2016 winners and their innovative products here.
Other awards being presented are the NMMA Hall of Fame Award; the Mel Barr Award, presented by the National Marine Representatives Association, honoring an individual who has made significant contributions to the marine industry; and Boating Industry’s Mover & Shaker award, recognizing leaders unafraid to take chances to improve the industry. The keynote and awards’ presentations will be preceded by a state of the industry address by Dammrich.
The IBEX Industry Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Tampa Waterside Marriott Hotel in the Grand Ballroom. To register for IBEX and purchase tickets for the industry breakfast, which are $35 and are non-refundable, click here.
