IBEX acquires Professional BoatBuilder magazine
The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) has acquired Professional BoatBuilder magazine (ProBoat).
IBEX is North America’s marine technology trade show dedicated to advancing the business of boating. Focused on the recreational marine industry, it’s held at Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Florida, USA in October.
IBEX says the acquisition of the magazine will marry the vitality of its live trade event with the magazine’s depth of editorial coverage, creating a platform for technical education, professional development, and independent editorial exploration of defining industry trends'.
The two companies have a long partnership history – the magazine’s editorial staff has helped produce the technical seminar series at IBEX since its launch in 1992. The acquisition will see the continuation of that collaboration and confirms IBEX’s commitment to deliver indispensable technical and trade information for boat designers, builders, and service technicians.
Anne Dunbar, Executive Director of IBEX, said:
“This acquisition represents a powerful synergy between two leading and trusted brands in the marine industry.
“By combining our annual event with Professional BoatBuilder‘s trusted technical journalism, we’re creating a robust, continuous pipeline of information and an opportunity for our entire community.”
The marine sector’s leading technical publication and online information source, ProBoat is published six times a year by WoodenBoat Publications, Inc. From its HQ in Brooklin, Maine, US, it focuses on materials, design, and construction techniques and repair solutions.
Former ProBoat Editor Aaron Porter has been installed as Editorial Director by IBEX. He commented:
“I welcome the chance to keep producing the essential boatbuilding information our readers have come to rely on and the challenge of pursuing that goal in a rapidly evolving print and digital publishing environment. We’ll be working with largely the same editorial contributors but with some changes to the delivery media.”
Plans are under way to integrate ProBoat’s technical content into IBEX 365, the show’s online platform for product promotion, education, and show-related news. Additional details will be available in early 2025 along with updates for ProBoat subscribers and advertisers.