By Chad Morse, Ashbreez Boatworks
The International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) took place October 1-3 in Tampa, Florida—in between two devastating hurricanes, Helena and Milton. IBEX did an outstanding job keeping everyone informed about the conference status leading up to the event.
Despite those challenges and the uncertainty of whether IBEX could proceed after Helena, IBEX reports that 7,500 individuals from 70 countries attended this year’s event, and there were 730+ exhibitors, including 100 new exhibiting companies.

IBEX 2024
ABBRA sponsored an educational roundtable seminar: “Modern Boatyard Operational Challenges.” The lead facilitator was John Fitzgerald, president of Saunders Yachtworks and a former president of the ABBRA board. Co-facilitators included Jim Dragseth, president of Shearwater Marine; Jopie Helson, president of Sailor’s Wharf, Inc.; and Peyton Lanier, engineer at Jarrett Bay Boatworks. Twenty individuals attended the seminar, including international representatives from Australia and the Bahamas, as well as from the far flung U.S. states of Hawaii and Alaska. ABBRA has sponsored these roundtables over the last several years, and they are regarded as a popular resource. Using a themed list of topic starters such as management, customer service, financial practices, etc., the panel begins the discussion, and the audience often expands on the topic by posing questions and sharing their own experiences and practices. It becomes an interactive learning experience for everyone—hearing the different approaches to common issues we all experience.

Over 900 people attended the breakfast.
Our business has found IBEX to be a valuable resource over the years. We almost always find a new product to introduce to the Alaskan market, and we find it a valuable way to maintain our personal relationships with many of the vendors we use. So if you haven’t been to IBEX for a while, consider checking it out again. Yes, it is bigger than it used to be, but you will find the latest products in the industry on display, with experts standing by to answer questions. Plus, the educational seminars are valuable, giving you the opportunity to stretch your mind into unfamiliar territory or refresh yourself on terrain that is more familiar to you. And of course, it is always good to meet up with fellow ABBRA members.

ABBRA Boatyard Roundtable
Perhaps I’ll see you there next year!
Fair winds,
Chad Morse, Ashbreez Boatworks, Anchorage, AK; ABBRA board member.

Dockside vendors