December 23, 2025

North America’s Largest Marine Industry Trade Event Is Accepting Presentation Topics and Ideas for Next Year’s Conference
 
The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) announced on December 16 that the IBEX Education Conference Call for Proposals (CFP) deadline is approaching. The IBEX Education Conference will offer world-class training, workshops, and technical seminars at the 2026 IBEX Show, to be held October 6 – 8, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center.
 
The IBEX Education Conference brings together professionals from the recreational marine industry to share technical trends, leadership insights, skill training, and best practices. At the core of the Education Conference is an exclusive lineup of curated, expert-led technical sessions that deliver the in-depth, hands-on learning the show is known for, covering advanced boatbuilding techniques, AI, robotics, propulsion, and advanced hull design. 
 
Complementing the technical focus, the Main Stage programming expands the conversation to include broader themes in business strategy and leadership, offering fresh perspectives and actionable insights that resonate with attendees. At the 2025 show new educational experiences such as the Marine Ideas Exchange (MIX) on the IBEX Main Stage drew impressive crowds and contributed to a notable increase in overall education participation.
 
“The IBEX Education Conference is a cornerstone to the event and a big part of our importance to the industry,” said Mary Velline, IBEX Show Director. “The technical training provided during Pre-Conference Sessions, Tech Talks, and Seminars is vital for career development and a unique way for all of us to share ideas and inspire innovation. We look to our exhibitors and educators to identify topics and trends that you want to learn about in next year’s Education Conference.”
 
The 2026 CFP seeks technical insights for an audience of leaders, designers, engineers, technicians and decision-makers. IBEX speakers showcase their technical insights and innovations that help define marine industry trends and best practices. All topics and speaker submissions are welcome, but interested parties should note that submissions must drive the conversation about boat building and that product or service promotion is prohibited in the Seminar Series.
 
The Seminar Series is delivered in ten tracks: 

              • Construction Methods and Materials

              • Design and Engineering

              • Emerging Topics

              • Leadership

              • Management Policy

              • Marina and Boatyard Operations

              • Marine Electrical Systems

              • Marine Onboard Systems

              • Survey and Repair

              • Sustainability In addition, the 2026 CFP is accepting topic submissions for Pre-Conference Sessions and Tech Talk Workshops. Pre-Conference Sessions take place on the Monday October 5 before the show opens and are full- or half-day programs. This is an opportunity for companies and organizations to provide in-depth training for attendees. Tech Talk Workshops are presented exclusively by exhibitors on the show floor during exhibit hall hours and showcase a product or service. Time slots for Tech Talk Workshops are limited and a fee applies.

Interested parties may submit topics here from now until the January 2, 2026 deadline, or contact Patty Lawrence at Patty@Ibexshow.com or 513-919-4857 with any questions. For more information, visit www.ibexshow.com.