IMAGE COURTESY IBEX

International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference organizers today announced the eight people who will judge this year’s Innovation Awards.

The program is managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and judged by Boating Writers International members. The awards will be presented during the Industry Breakfast, which will be held 7:30-9:30 a.m. on Sept. 27 at the Tampa Marriott Water Street.

“New-product innovation is the number one reason the industry meets at IBEX and the renowned Innovation Awards highlight industry excellence,” show director Anne Dunbar said in a statement. “Judged by a distinguished set of industry experts, we are looking forward to recognizing the latest innovations from our exhibitors and showcasing these new products.”

The judging panel:

• chair, Zuzana Prochazka, Boating Writers International executive director

• co-chair, Ben Stein, editor of Panbo.com

• Julia Carleton, operations manager, OceanPlanet Energy

• Steve Davis, editor-in-chief of Southern Boating

• Ryan Gullang, freelance writer

• Phil Gutowski, founder, BoatRx

• Tim Murphy, author

• Ed Sherman, author and semiretired ABYC education vice president

Innovation Awards fall under the following categories:

• Boat Care and Maintenance

• Boatbuilding Methods and Materials

• Boatyard and Marina Hardware and Software

• Deck Equipment and Hardware

• Electric Motor/Battery Powered Propulsion/Hybrids

• Electrical Systems

• Entertainment

• Furnishings and Interior Parts

• Inboard Engines

• Mechanical Systems

• OEM Electronics

• Outboard Engines

• Propulsion Parts, Propellers

• Safety Equipment

• Trailers, Parts and Trailer Accessories