IBEX unveils expanded education for 2019
The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) announced today details of its expanded IBEX Education Conference Seminar Series. Held October 1-3 at the Tampa Convention Center, the IBEX Seminar Series offers a range of courses providing fundamental skills to cutting-edge advanced training for the boatbuilding, design, and repair industry.Produced by the show’s education partners Professional BoatBuilder, ABYC, NMEA, ABBRA, AMI, and IBEX co-owner NMMA, the IBEX Seminar Series is being offered in eight tracks:
- Design and Engineering
- Composite Methods and Materials
- Marine Electrical Systems
- Marine Onboard Systems
- Marina and Boatyard Operations
- Survey and Repair
- Manufacturing Management Policy
- IBEX Tech & Tool Lab (new for 2019!)
“We continually update the format of our education program to give participants a more exciting and useful experience,” said Anne Dunbar, IBEX Show Director. “We’ve assembled a collection of world-class presenters and reorganized the space to include the hands-on Tool & Tech Lab to make this year’s program the most dynamic yet.”
The Seminar Series has attracted world-class speakers to present on a variety of topics from all aspects of the industry. Notable presenters will include world-renowned cruiser and author Nigel Calder; Steve D’Antonio, technical editor at Professional Boatbuilder; Richard Downs-Honey, president of The Landing School; John McKnight, senior vice president of environmental and safety compliance at NMMA; hydrofoiling engineer Harry Larsen; James Anderson, formerly of Hodgdon Yachts, now senior research and development program manager at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center; and Gary Loftis, principal at Maffett Loftis Engineering, speaking at IBEX for the first time in the Marina & Boatyard Operations track, to name a few.
Participants will be treated to one-of-a-kind seminars like the IBEX Special Seminar: Return to Thunderboat Row in the Design and Engineering track. This event will be a lively panel discussion including the men who built and drove the boats of the golden age of offshore powerboat racing, as well as a few who are still in the game. Participants will have the opportunity to meet legendary drivers, throttlemen, and builders Odell Lewis, Alan “Brownie” Brown, Steve Curtis, Bob Saccenti, John Cosker and Val Jenkins for scintillating tales of the good, the bad, and the bloody times of North Miami’s historic Thunderboat Row, moderated by the editors of Professional BoatBuilder.
New for 2019, the IBEX Tech & Tool Lab is a dedicated room for seminars providing hands-on learning in topics such as vacuum bagging and 3D printing. There will also be live feeds from offsite work run by ABYC and NMEA called Live from Annapolis: Engine and MFD Setup and Live from Annapolis: Add a Battery.
Outside of the Tech & Tool Lab, interactive kiosks will display images in which participants will be asked to identify flaws. Answers will be revealed and demonstrated in the IBEX Tech & Tool Lab on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. Winners will receive a $500 gift card from ABYC.
In addition to onsite programs, IBEX will also hold free online workshops throughout the summer. Beginning in July and continuing through December, the workshops cover topics like: The Growing Threat from Cyber Attacks in the Marine Industry, How to Use LinkedIn Most Effectively, and Tax Planning for Marine Manufacturers.
To attend the IBEX Seminars, visitors can register for an Individual, Three-Pack, or Full Conference seminar pass. Visitors select onsite which of the seminars they would like to attend, purchased seminar passes are valid for any course, except the IBEX Special Seminar: Return to Thunderboat Road, which requires a separate ticket purchase. Seminars are 45, 60, 90, or 120 minutes long. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for paid and verified participation at IBEX seminars at one CEU per one hour.
For information about the IBEX Education Conference, please visit www.ibexshow.com/education. For more information on IBEX 2019, exhibiting companies, interactive exhibit hall floor plans, and more, please visit www.ibexshow.com. To register for the Show, click here.
