IBEX Announces Educational Line-Up for 2019

The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), announced the details of its expanded IBEX Education Conference Seminar Series. Held October 1 to 3 at the Tampa Convention Center, the IBEX Seminar Series offers a range of courses for the boatbuilding, design and repair industry.

The IBEX Seminar Series is being offered in eight tracks: Design and Engineering, Composite Methods and Materials, Marine Electrical Systems, Marine Onboard Systems, Marina and Boatyard Operations, Survey and Repair, Manufacturing Management Policy, and the Ibed Tech & Tool Lab. The Tech & Tool Lab, a new track this year, will provide hands-on learning in topics such as vacuum bagging and 3D printing as well as live feeds from offsite and interactive kiosks.

Notable presenters will include world-renowned cruiser and author Nigel Calder; Steve D’Antonio, technical editor at Professional Boatbuilder; Richard Downs-Honey, president of The Landing School; John McKnight, senior vice president of environmental and safety compliance at NMMA; hydrofoiling engineer Harry Larsen; James Anderson, formerly of Hodgdon Yachts, now senior research and development program manager at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center; and Gary Loftis, principal at Maffett Loftis Engineering, speaking at IBEX for the first time in the Marina & Boatyard Operations track.

The IBEX Special Seminar will be Return to Thunderboat Row in the Design and Engineering track. This event will be a panel discussion including the men who built and drove the boats of the golden age of offshore powerboat racing, as well as a few who are still in the game.

In addition to onsite programs, IBEX will also hold free online workshops throughout the summer. Beginning in July and continuing through December, the workshops will cover topics like: The Growing Threat from Cyber Attacks in the Marine Industry, How to Use LinkedIn Most Effectively, and Tax Planning for Marine Manufacturers.