The IBEX Innovation Awards are among the most respected product accolades in the global marine industry. Winning one isn’t just a pat on the back—it signals to the international market that your product leads the way in innovation, engineering, and practicality. For New Zealand marine businesses looking to scale or enter the North American market, this is a significant launchpad.
IBEX—the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference—is North America’s largest technical boatbuilding event. Held annually in Tampa, Florida, the trade-only show attracts marine professionals from around the world. The Innovation Awards are run by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by experts from Boating Writers International (BWI).
Entries for the 2025 awards are now open and close 20 August. Finalists will be showcased along “Innovation Way” at the Tampa Convention Center, with winners announced during the Industry Breakfast on 7 October.
To give a sense of the calibre involved, the 2024 awards drew more than 80 entries, resulting in 13 winners and 5 honourable mentions across 14 product categories. The range and quality of innovations underline just how competitive and forward-thinking the sector is.
Highlights from the 2024 winners
CMP Group Ltd. took home the Boat Care award with its SMartyr SCP Anode, a solar-powered, self-regulating cathodic protection unit—an eco-friendly alternative to sacrificial anodes.
Supersede Marine Board won in Boatbuilding Methods with a recycled and recyclable alternative to marine plywood.
Tocaro Blue’s Proteus Hub, a radar simplification device, stood out in OEM Electronics for its ability to translate complex marine data into digestible info for skippers.
Banshee VA1 won in Safety Equipment, impressing judges with its powerful and clear VHF speaker system.
Honda Marine made headlines with its first production V8 outboard, the BF350, which introduced refined, high-power marine performance.
These awards don’t just celebrate flashy gadgets—they recognise meaningful innovation. As judge Pim Van Hemmen noted when reviewing the Bow Step G2: “It’s a smart, well-engineered product that makes getting into a trailered boat so much easier.” Practicality, not just wow-factor, is key.
Why enter?
For those ready to follow in Vesper Marine’s footsteps, the time to act is now. With the right product—and the right story—you could be the next Kiwi company making headlines in Tampa.
For New Zealand companies, entering the IBEX Innovation Awards is an opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the business. It’s a way to gain valuable international exposure, validate your product in a global context, and connect with distributors, manufacturers, and media.
Products must be new to market or significantly improved, and must be exhibited at IBEX 2025. The entry process is straightforward, and even being shortlisted puts your brand in front of global decision-makers.
There are 14 product categories:
- Alternative Propulsion
- Boat Care and Maintenance
- Boatbuilding Methods and Materials
- Boatyard and Marina Hardware and Software
- Deck Equipment and Hardware
- Electrical Systems
- Furnishings and Interior Parts
- Inboard Engines
- Mechanical Systems
- OEM Electronics
- Outboard Engines
- Propulsion Parts, Propellers
- Safety Equipment
- Trailers, Parts and Trailer Accessories
Any marine business with a qualifying product—be it a start-up, SME, or large corporation—is eligible to enter. A company may submit multiple entries in one or more categories.
Side note
From experience, applying for industry awards can be unexpectedly valuable. The process itself often forces you to clarify your purpose and rethink what really drives your work. Sometimes, that deeper understanding—gained along the way—is the real win, regardless of the outcome.
