The Soundings Trade Only Group, in partnership with the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference, announced the speakers and session topics for its Marine Ideas Exchange. The event, scheduled for Oct. 8 at the Tampa Convention Center during IBEX, combines a keynote conversation, interactive forums, and networking designed to foster collaboration and creativity.

“This is a fast-paced, insight-driven program designed to bring marine leaders together in a way the industry hasn’t seen before,” Michele J. Goldsmith, vice president and general manager of the Soundings Trade Only Group, said in a statement. “From the keynote to each breakout forum, the content is curated for substance, inspiration and impact. With senior executives leading these conversations live at IBEX, we expect a strong turnout and encourage early registration.”

The program format includes a kickoff keynote conversation with Correct Craft CEO Bill Yeargin and Soundings Trade Only editor-in-chief Gary Reich, followed by two rounds of 35-minute forums.

Round 1 forum sessions:

• Making Culture the Core of Your Company and a Force for Good
Speakers: Yeargin and Jason Lippert, CEO, Lippert Components

• The Next Wave of Technology
Panelists: Michelle Hildyard, vice president of operations, Raymarine/Teledyne FLIR; Jarrod Seymour, vice president and marine segment leader, Garmin; Zach Hatcheson, CFO and incoming CEO, Correct Craft, Watershed. Moderator: Soundings Trade Only editor-in-chief Gary Reich.

Round 2 forum sessions:

• The Future of Marine Retail
Panelists: Paulee Day, COO, West Marine; Eddie Russell, managing partner, Viage Group, former vice president and COO, MarineMax; Darren Plymale, COO and CFO, Galati Yachts. Moderator: Steve Heese, CEO, Chris-Craft.

• What’s the Story? Building Brand DNA to Expand Your Customer Base
Panelists: Amber C. Holm, senior vice president and CMO, Winnebago Industries; Gordon Sprouse, director of marketing, Americas, Raymarine/Teledyne FLIR; Thomas Bates, chief revenue officer, Correct Craft. Moderator: Alisdair Martin, president, Marine Marketers of America.

MIX is a ticketed program offered as part of IBEX registration. To learn more, click here.  Early pricing ends Sept. 5, and space is limited.