The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference released details about its 2017 education program.

This year at the Tampa Convention Center in Florida attendees will have access to 80 education sessions, starting with nine half- and full-day super sessions on Sept. 18 and 56 seminars and 15 tech talk workshops from Sept. 19-21.

“We are expanding our education series to include even more topics that appeal to a wider audience within the marine industry. I am always interested in hearing what the industry wants so we can address the right topics at IBEX,” IBEX education director Sarah Devlin said in a statement.

“Of course, we still offer the technical education and hands-on training we have provided for decades, from gelcoat repair to straddle lift training. Our most popular speakers, such as Nigel Calder, Steve D’Antonio, John McKnight, Richard Downs-Honey and Jeffrey Bowles, are all returning this year, with many new faces, as well.”

The IBEX Seminar Series offers fundamental skills to advanced training for the boatbuilding, design, and repair industry through eight tracks.

The tracks focus on design and engineering; composite methods and materials; onboard systems; marine electrical systems; manufacturing management and policy; survey and repair; boatyard and marina operations; and new for 2017, the IBEX extras.

Highlights of the new IBEX extras track include seminars such as “Bionic Lightweight Design,” “Don’t Leave Your Profit on the Shop Floor,” “Life Cycle and the Future of the Marine Industry” and “Smartphones and Sea Trial.”

The IBEX education partners — the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association, the American Boat and Yacht Council, the National Marine Electronics Association, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Professional BoatBuilder magazine — work closely with Devlin on the seminar series.

New for the 2017 Seminar Series, Marina Dock Age magazine and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas are hosting three seminars, as well.

Marine Dock Age magazine is leading two topics, both of which touch on the day-to-day operations of a marina that offers service or a yard with a marina component.

The MRAA is offering a 90-minute seminar titled “Creating a Competitive Advantage through Dealer Development,” which will showcase methods that manufacturers can use to strengthen their relationships with dealers, improving sales and profitability.

Click here for the full schedule.