The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference got underway at 7:30 this morning in Tampa, Fla., with the Industry Breakfast and an update from National Marine Manufacturers president Frank Hugelmeyer. In addition, there was the presentation of the IBEX Innovation Awards and a keynote speech by Kevin O’Connor, host of the PBS series This Old House.
The main show floors at the Tampa Convention Center opened at 10 a.m.
Soundings Trade Only will conduct more than 20 live-broadcast, in-booth interviews with industry leaders during the show, hosted by journalist Alan Wendt.
New this year is the Marine Ideas Exchange, a sold-out program at the convention center on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. The Soundings Trade Only event, sponsored by Garmin, West Marine, Winnebago Industries, Lippert and Raymarine, combines a keynote conversation, interactive forums and networking designed to foster collaboration and creativity.
The program format includes a keynote conversation with Correct Craft CEO Bill Yeargin and Soundings Trade Only editor-in-chief Gary Reich, followed by two rounds of 35-minute discussion forums.
There will be additional reporting from the show, including a recap of each day’s events, in the free Trade Only Today daily e-newsletter. Subscribe here.
