Attendees of the upcoming 2011 International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference will notice an increase in exhibit space and exhibitor registrations.
IBEX takes place Oct. 17-19 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.
This year's show includes 100,000 square feet, an 8 percent jump over 2010 (103,900 vs. 95,700); exhibitor registration is up 2.3 percent to 556; and at least 60 first-time exhibitors have registered to date.
In addition, the Composites Pavilion and Compliance Standards and Education Pavilion are sold out, with only a few open booths available to exhibit in the 2011 show, organizers said.
"The increase in floor space and exhibitor participation is encouraging and reaffirms our decision to move the show to
Louisville - a more centralized, cost-effective location. We're committed to ensuring the growth of IBEX so it remains the must-attend event for the boating industry," Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers
Association, show co-producer, said in a statement. "With more educational offerings than ever before and the IBEX scope expanding with more specialty events and courses, there truly is no other marine trade event that gives the entire industry an opportunity to conduct a year's worth of business in just three days."
During the annual three-day event, more than 100 industry authorities will conduct 91 educational seminars, a 30 percent increase compared to 2010.
IBEX 2011 is also hosting a variety of new events, courses and special sessions, including the new Green Marine Route and NMEA 2000 ConnectFest, plus returning favorites including the annual Industry Breakfast, the IBEX Aftermarket Pavilion, Dr. Shrink's daily shrink wrap lessons, outdoor demonstrations and free workshops.
