Visitors to the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) this year will see firsthand how electronic devices operate on an NMEA 2000® network. Called ConnectFest, the live event will demonstrate the use of cable, connectors, and products from multiple manufacturers on a single NMEA 2000® backbone. Equipment on the network will include engine controls, navigation electronics, power distribution, diagnostic tools, displays, gauges, and more. IBEX will take place October 17-19 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

Attendees will see for themselves how information is exchanged among NMEA-certified products made by different manufacturers. Experts will be on hand to demonstrate equipment function so that visitors can switch displays between various sources of information, query the backbone for information about connected products, and plug and unplug products to see how installation and integration can be simplified.

The demonstration will run continuously during the exposition. A 15-minute PowerPoint presentation about NMEA 2000® will be offered periodically. NMEA Technical Director Steve Spitzer and electronics manufacturers will be on hand to answer questions.

IBEX is North America’s largest technical trade event for the marine industry. For boatbuilders, marine dealers, retailers, aftermarket suppliers and buyers, designers, repairers, surveyors, and boatyard/marine operators, IBEX is the single source for the latest boatbuilding technologies, tools, and materials.

“We are delighted to be featuring the NMEA ConnectFest/NMEA 2000® interactive demo area on the main show floor at IBEX,” said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, co-owner and producer of the event with Professional BoatBuilder magazine. 

“This is a first for IBEX and NMEA and provides great visibility for this important electronics standard and companies that build to the NMEA 2000® standard. Locating it near the Aftermarket Pavilion at IBEX will ensure great visibility to dealers and distributors attending IBEX as well as to OEM boatbuilders.” “We are honored that IBEX has chosen the NMEA 2000® ConnectFest to be one of their premier events,” said Spitzer. “The size and depth of this NMEA 2000® ConnectFest will demonstrate the large acceptance of NMEA 2000® as the industry’s open networking standard. Boatbuilders, boatyards, and dealers who have not had the experience of seeing a ‘live’ NMEA 2000® network will be able to realize the benefits of embracing NMEA 2000®. We hope that IBEX attendees will take full advantage of the NMEA 2000® ConnectFest and see it for themselves.” “We’re grateful to the organizers of IBEX for shining the spotlight on NMEA 2000® at this year’s exposition,” said NMEA President David Hayden. “The more marine professionals who understand and appreciate the benefits of NMEA 2000®, the better the boating experience will be for all of our customers. We invite you to stop by and get a close-up look at what the N2K network has to offer.”

Founded in 1957, the NMEA has led the way in establishing technical standards for data exchange in marine electronics, with the widely accepted NMEA 0183 data protocol, NMEA 2000® and certification standards for marine electronics technicians. NMEA standards and programs focus on insuring that the boating consumer is provided reliable products and professional service. For more information, visit the NMEA website at www.NMEA.org