ABYC HOSTING EDUCATIONAL AND NETWORKING EVENTS AT IBEX
The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) will be hosting a variety of educational sessions at the International Boatbuilders’ Exposition & Conference (IBEX), Sept. 15 – 17, 2015 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. ABYC will also host networking opportunities including a virtual career fair.
The educational session topics at IBEX include ABYC 2015 Standards Update; Designing a 12-24 Volt DC System that Works; Design and Build to Minimize the Spread of Aquatic Species; When the Customer Sues – Legal Advice; Handling High Intermittent Current Loads; 120/240-Volt Ground Switching With Paralleled and Co-generation Systems; Designing and Installing Efficient Onboard HVAC; and Understanding AC & DC Load Groups. Additionally, due to the popularity of last year’s sessions, ABYC will once again lead hands-on demonstrations, giving attendees a unique learning experience. Instructor Kevin Ritz will lead Onboard 1: Electrical Troubleshooting and Onboard II: Installing an Auxiliary Battery. These sessions will allow attendees to see the process from start to finish on-board a center console, learn how to comply with ABYC standards and employ current technology.
ABYC will also present a free workshop, Building a Reasonably Safe Boat – Product Liability and You, which will take place in the Exhibitor Workshop Theatre Wednesday, Sept. 16. Attendees will learn how and when to warn customers and will leave with free warning labels.
“IBEX is fortunate to have ABYC as our educational partner,” said IBEX show director Anne Dunbar. “They are the leading source for product safety standards and education, training, and help our industry build better, safer boats.”
The Coffee and Compliance networking event will take place on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 16. Attendees can meet with experts in marine certification and standards for informal networking to discuss current trends and compliance issues affecting the industry. Exhibitors are invited from 9–11 a.m.; all attendees are welcome from 10–11 a.m.
New this year, ABYC, in partnership with the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), will be hosting an exclusive virtual career fair centered around IBEX. The career fair will provide a comprehensive matchmaking system for employers and job seekers attending and exhibiting at IBEX. Although the employers and job seekers will connect online, there will be private space available for those who would like to arrange in-person interviews during IBEX in Hall C of the Kentucky Exposition Center.
IBEX attendees who stop by the ABYC booth to join or renew their membership will receive a free CD of The Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft, Supplement 55.