A global stage for marine innovation
The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) has become the heartbeat of marine innovation in North America. This year’s event again fills the Tampa Convention Center with designers, engineers and suppliers shaping how tomorrow’s boats will be built, powered and maintained.
From composite workshops and ABYC certification sessions to seminars on tariffs, supply chains and digital switching, IBEX 2025’s education programme is its strongest yet. The conference opens with pre-con sessions covering everything from fibre lay-ups to NMEA 2000 installer training and the design of electric-hybrid propulsion systems.
Start-ups on centre stage
One of the most talked-about areas is the Yachting Ventures Start-Up Pavilion, now in its second year. Seven emerging companies—from Cohesive Robotics’ AI-enabled automation to Neptune-pv’s portable solar kits—will pitch investors live on stage. Others include BoatPlanet, linking boat owners with marine professionals, and OceanVault, developing hardware-based security for high-value vessels.
Yachting Ventures founder Mary Velline says the fast-paced pitching contest brings “energy and opportunity in equal measure,” with Florida investors assessing each start-up’s potential. The Pavilion’s central location guarantees steady traffic from industry leaders and curious innovators alike.
Education at every level
IBEX’s educational core continues to expand, with more than 50 technical seminars offering Continuing Education Units. Topics range from AI Afloat: Assessing the Promise of Intelligent Technology to Developing Full Foils for Recreational Boats. Free Tech Talks run daily in the third-floor theatre, while Student Career Day on 9 October connects young tradespeople to prospective employers via an interactive map on the IBEX app.
The Marine Ideas Exchange
Another highlight is MIX 2025, a collaboration between Soundings Trade Only and IBEX. This live forum combines keynotes and interactive sessions on leadership, technology and brand culture. Speakers include Bill Yeargin of Correct Craft, Jason Lippert of Lippert Components, and senior executives from Garmin, Raymarine, and Chris-Craft—all exploring how culture and innovation drive the modern marine economy.
Familiar names, new ideas
The exhibition floor hosts more than 600 companies—among them Garmin USA, Mercury Marine, Yamaha, Honda Marine, Furuno, Raymarine / FLIR, DockMate (Australia), Propspeed, Seakeeper, Smartgyro, and Launch & Retrieve Boat Latch from Australia. Every stand tells a story of efficiency, sustainability or connectivity—proof that the marine industry’s next big leap begins right here in Tampa.
LEARN MORE: https://www.ibexshow.com/
