Show Management Requests a Shared Responsibility Initiative

Tampa, FL – The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), North America’s largest trade event for recreational marine industry professionals, owned and produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and RAI Amsterdam, announced today updated safety protocols for the 30th Anniversary Show scheduled for September 28-30, 2021, in Tampa, Florida. As the situation in Florida continues to develop, new protocols have been established for IBEX 2021 to ensure the health and safety of exhibitors, visitors, partners, and guests.

“The safety and security of IBEX visitors and exhibitors is our top priority, and the IBEX team is committed to creating an event experience where our customers, partners, and employees can safely and effectively conduct business,” said Anne Dunbar, IBEX Show Director. “We believe that by establishing new 
COVID-19 protocols, IBEX 2021 can take place live and in-person.”

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVE
IBEX producers are asking that everyone in attendance mutually agree to a duty of care to try to protect each other from any illnesses. To accomplish this and have a safe show for all, we request that everyone in attendance at IBEX 2021 wear a mask, whether you have been vaccinated or not. 

PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT IBEX

  • All visitors and exhibitor booth staff are encouraged to register before arriving at IBEX to limit on-site contact. Registrants’ Express Pass will be emailed a week before the Show. Please print this pass and bring it with you to expedite the badge printing process and limit your contact during registration.
  • A self-assessment test is recommended, and all attendees must be symptom free to enter the Show. Refer to the CDC’s Covid-19 Self-Checker Tool here. 
  • Check airline safety protocols and be prepared to follow their requirements.
  • Keep in mind UBER, Lyft, and other public transportation methods continue to require masking.

ON-SITE AT IBEX

  • It is requested that all IBEX attendees wear a mask, whether they have been vaccinated or not. Masks will be provided at IBEX registration for attendees’ safety and convenience. 
  • To assist with social distancing, traffic flow management has been planned with exhibit hall entrances and exits.
  • Frequent handwashing is encouraged, and there will be hand sanitizer stations throughout the convention center.
  • Seating has been planned with social distancing in all seminar rooms, and all surfaces will be disinfected between each seminar.
  • Avoiding close contact such as handshakes and hugs is recommended and be sensitive to other individuals comfort levels with contact.
  • There will be added health and safety signage with current safety protocols and requirements.
  • Use the IBEX Event Mobile App to access show details including exhibitors, schedule of events, education conference schedule, and other event information.

For the full details of IBEX Health and Safety Protocols, please visit: www.ibexshow.com/covid-faqs. 

CLEANING AT THE TAMPA CONVENTION CENTER
Tampa Convention Center has announced that it has achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accreditation, the gold standard for prepared facilities. Under the guidance of GBAC, a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, Tampa Convention Center has implemented the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention in its facility. To achieve GBAC STAR™ accreditation, Tampa Convention Center was required to demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 core elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures. Learn more about GBAC STAR accreditation at www.gbac.org. 

For visitor registration, click www.ibexshow.com/register. Exhibiting companies should visit their Exhibitor Dashboard for booth staff registration. Members of the press can contact Andrew Golden for registration information at agolden@rushtongregory.com. For rates and contact information about available booth space, visit www.ibexshow.com/exhibit-at-ibex. Hotel bookings are available in the IBEX housing block, which includes several new downtown hotels, www.ibexshow.com/hotel-info. For more information on IBEX 2021, exhibiting companies, interactive exhibit hall floor plans, and more, please visit www.ibexshow.com.

– 30 –

About the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX):
IBEX, Where Better Boats Begin (www.ibexshow.com), is the marine industry’s largest technical trade event in North America and is powered globally by METSTRADE, a global event for professionals in the leisure marine equipment industry. IBEX is owned and produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (www.nmma.org) and RAI Amsterdam (www.rai.nl). The 2021 IBEX is scheduled to take place at the Tampa Convention Center, September 28 – 30, in Tampa, FL USA. For more information, please visit www.ibexshow.com.