Marina World July August 2023

EVENTS
IBEX 2023:
focus on sustainability
The International Boatbuilders Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), taking place
3 rd -5 th October at the recently renovated Tampa Convention Center (TCC),
Florida, USA is set to be a packed event with a focus on new technology,
innovation and sustainability.
The renovation is the largest event for
the TCC and will result in an expanded
third floor exhibit hall and additional
fourth floor meeting rooms, complete
with terraces with breathtaking water
views. The expansion has added
5,900ft² (548m²) of exhibit space for
the show and provided new space on
the fourth floor for the VIP Lounge.
More than 675 exhibiting companies
will fill the three floors, occupying over
134,000ft² (12,400m²) of indoor space,
plus outdoor displays and the IBEX
docks on the waterfront.
New companies and
specialist pavilions
The first and second floor exhibit halls
will showcase products and services
from companies new to the show
and the industry, and include the new
Sustainable Technology Pavilion,
featuring products designed to reduce
carbon emissions, empower cleaner
processes for propulsion and promote a
more sustainable future. The third floor
features specialist pavilions, such as
the Composites Pavilion, Compliance,
Standards and Education Pavilion,
and the NMEA Connected Electronics
Pavilion.
International pavilions for 2023
highlight Italian, French and Australian
exhibitors. New products entered in the
Innovation Awards programme are on
display along Innovation Way on the
second floor. Replacing the Marina &
Yard Pavilion, the Marina & Yard Trade
Route includes exhibitors spread
across all three floors.
Debating sustainability
The new Sustainable Technology
Pavilion is supported by a sustainability
track in the conference and includes
a free special session entitled ‘The
Carbon Conundrum’. When it comes
to fossil fuel consumption, today’s
thriving boatbuilding industry is best
defined by two extremes: designers and
engineers loading centre consoles with
five or six outboards of 12 cylinders
each to indulge a market hungry for
horsepower; and teams of investmentfuelled
innovators pushing the potential
of electric propulsion and hydrogen
fuel by building lightweight carbon fibre
foiling prototypes. Our future likely lies
somewhere in between the two.
The topic will be explored by a
panel of experienced naval architects,
propulsion engineers, boatbuilders and
As always, IBEX will deliver a wealth of
networking and learning opportunities.
marketing experts who will debate the
virtues, practicalities and shortcomings
of different approaches to our collective
low-carbon future.
“Technology is advancing so quickly
and there is no better place than IBEX
for all marine professionals to see
what’s new and what’s next for the
boating industry,” says Anne Dunbar,
IBEX show director. “Our exhibitors
are eager to display their latest and
greatest innovations, many with a
significant wow factor. We are confident
it will be our best show in years. Make
plans now to join the industry at IBEX
2023, you do not want to miss this
year’s event.”
IBEX is owned and produced by
the National Marine Manufacturers
Association (NMMA) and RAI
Amsterdam.
www.ibexshow.com
Pick up your copy of Marina World at
the show. Marina World is Partner of
the Marina and Yard Trade Route and
an IBEX Show Media Partner.
www.marinaworld.com – July/August 2023
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