The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference this morning announced the judges for the Innovation Awards. The program recognizes manufacturers and suppliers that bring new, innovative products to market. There are more than 110 entries this year.
“IBEX is the centerpiece to fostering, encouraging and showcasing innovation in the manufacturing segment of the marine industry to improve the boating lifestyle,” show director Mary Velline said in a statement. “Each and every year we’re honored to celebrate innovators and the revolutionary concepts, products and solutions that continue to impact the future of boating.”
The awards will be presented Oct. 7 during the Industry Breakfast, which will include the State of the Industry address and keynote speaker. IBEX is scheduled for Oct. 7-9.
The panel comprises eight judges from Boating Writers International:
∙ Ben Stein (chair): Stein is editor of Panbo.com covering marine technology. He also writes a monthly Getting Technical column for Soundings Trade Only and serves as electronics editor for Power & Motoryacht.
∙ Tim Murphy (co-chair): Murphy is the education director for the American Boat & Yacht Council. A contributing editor to BoatUS Magazine and Cruising World editor-at-large, he has worked as a marine journalist for more than 30 years.
∙ Theresa Nicholson: Nicholson is an award-winning journalist who has covered the marine industry for 25 years. She is the former senior editor of Cruising World, and an IBEX Innovation Award and Newport for New Products judge.
∙ Pim Van Hemmen: Van Hemmen is the former deputy editor of Soundings magazine and spent 25 years in the newspaper industry and another decade as a marine photographer.
∙ Wendy Mitman Clarke: Clarke is a 35-year marine industry and general assignment journalist who most recently was editor-in-chief of Sail magazine. A lifelong sailor, she has cruised and raced all manner of boats, including four years cruising full time with her family and numerous offshore passages and races.
∙ Pete McDonald: McDonald is executive editor of Boating magazine, where he first started working in 1998. He’s been a BWI member since 1999 and started serving on the board in 2023.
∙ Steve Mitchell: Mitchell is a year-round Pacific Northwest cruiser aboard a 50-foot steel trawler with more than 20 years of hands-on experience designing and installing electronics, electrical systems and optimized solutions for customers.
∙ Ryan Gullang: Gullang is communications coordinator and program manager for Annapolis Boat Shows. As a freelance writer, his articles have appeared in BoatUS Magazine, Boats.com, FishTalk and SpinSheet.
