METS and IBEX Join Forces

Tampa, FL (October 4, 2016) – RAI Amsterdam, owners and producers of METSTRADE (The Marine Equipment Trade Show) announced they have purchased a 50% stake in the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) from WoodenBoat Publications Inc., publisher of Professional BoatBuilder magazine.

“We at Professional BoatBuilder magazine, the company that founded IBEX, have sold our ownership in IBEX to the RAI. We’ve had a longstanding respect for the RAI, and we’re confident they’ll sustain the level of excellence we’ve achieved for the show since 1992,” said Jim Miller, Publisher and General Manager, Professional BoatBuilder magazine. “Our entire team is extraordinarily proud of the positive impact we’ve made on the boatbuilding and repair industry by launching IBEX 26 years ago. Our goal has always been to deliver the critical technical information and updates that international professionals need to advance their businesses and our industry. IBEX is a premier resource annually for new product information and expert seminars and we look forward to supporting IBEX under the ownership of the RAI and NMMA as we continue to be a technical education partner, as well as an exhibitor.”

Starting on October 7, 2016, RAI Amsterdam will partner with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to produce future IBEX events. While IBEX and the METSTRADE Show will continue to maintain their unique focus and identity, IBEX will be powered by METSTRADE to foster international growth in attendees, exhibits and sponsorships.

“Working alongside Professional BoatBuilder we have made IBEX the best marine trade event in North America,” said Thom Dammrich, President of NMMA. “Through our new partnership with the RAI, we will build on that foundation to create the best marine trade event in the world. The RAI brings a wealth of event experience that will allow us to further our international efforts as we continue helping our members grow their business around the globe.”

Ids Boersma, Executive Vice President of RAI Exhibitions said, “We are looking forward to partnering with the NMMA to bring together more industry resources for recreational marine businesses and professionals globally. As the new co-owners of IBEX, we will work together to grow an international presence of marine manufacturers and technology at IBEX while giving European businesses more access to U.S. professionals. Together, IBEX and the METSTRADE Show will be more collaborative to ensure all of the latest worldwide industry developments, training and products are being brought to the professionals attending each event.”

Background:
IBEX (www.ibexshow.com) is the marine industry’s largest technical trade event in North America, which beginning on October 7, 2016 will be owned and produced by RAI Amsterdam (www.rai.nl) and by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (www.nmma.org). IBEX, which is currently owned and produced by Professional BoatBuilder magazine (www.proboat.com) and the NMMA, is taking place October 4-6, 2016 at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL. The three-day event will bring together 556 exhibiting companies, of which 110 are new to the Show, with 7,000 boating industry professionals to see the latest products and services on the show floor which expands 118,000+ square feet with exhibits both inside and on the water.

RAI Amsterdam owns and producers the METSTRADE Show (www.metstrade.com) in association with of ICOMIA (International Council of Marine Industry Associations). The world’s largest trade exhibition of equipment, materials and systems for the international marine leisure industry will run from 15 to 17 November 2016. Over 1,400 expected exhibitors from some 50 countries all over the world showcase their products and innovations to more than 22,000 visitors representing 112 nationalities. The METSTRADE Show combines new products, seminars and unrivalled networking opportunities for visitors to connect across countries, technologies and industry sectors.

Source: Amy Riemer, Riemer Communications