IBEX announces judges for 2026 Innovation Awards
Winners of the 2025 IBEX Innovation Awards The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) has announced the six judges for the 23rd IBEX Innovation Awards programme.
The programme is managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and independently judged by Boating Writers International (BWI). It recognises manufacturers and suppliers that introduce new products to the marine market.
The 2026 judging panel is chaired by Ben Stein, editor of Panbo.com, who covers marine technology.
“Serving as an Innovation Awards judge provides a unique opportunity to see the newest technologies and product developments before they reach the market,” says Stein. “The judging process is thorough and collaborative, and it reflects the depth of expertise our panel brings to every category.”
IBEX Innovation Awards’ judges
Stein, the panel’s chair, is a past president of BWI, a USCG 100-Ton Master and an ABYC certified marine electrical technician. He also writes the monthly Getting Technical column for Soundings Trade Only and is electronics editor for Power & Motoryacht. Stein chairs the NMMA’s Innovation Awards at IBEX and co-chairs the awards at the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show. He is also a member of the DAME Design Awards jury at Metstrade and chairs the National Marine Electronics Association’s new product awards.
Tim Murphy, co-chair of the judging panel, is education director for the American Boat & Yacht Council. He is a contributing editor to BoatUS magazine and a Cruising World editor-at-Large, and has worked as a marine journalist for more than 35 years. Murphy directed and judged Cruising World’s Boat of the Year programme for two decades. He co-wrote Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology (ABYC 2012) and is the author of Adventurous Use of the Sea (Seapoint Books, 2022). Murphy holds a USCG 100-Ton Master’s licence.
Pim Van Hemmen is the former deputy editor of Soundings magazine. He previously spent 25 years in the newspaper industry and another decade working as a nautical photographer. He is a lifelong boater and continues to photograph and write about boats. When he is not working, he can be found on the water aboard his Zodiac RIB.
Tony Esposito has 30 years of experience in the marine industry. He contributes to titles including speedonthewater.com and has held management roles with Mercury Marine, Mercury Racing and Custom Marine, Inc.
Steve Davis began sailing at the age of seven and has raced sailboats for more than 20 years. After obtaining his USCG 100-Ton Master’s licence, he worked as a charter captain in the British and US Virgin Islands and as a delivery captain along the Pacific Coast. Davis is the former managing editor of Dockwalk, a superyacht captain and crew publication, and editor-in-chief of Southern Boating. He has previously judged the IBEX Innovation Awards and is currently president of BWI.
Steve Mitchell is a year-round Pacific Northwest cruiser aboard his 50ft steel trawler. He has experience with both sail and power boats and has spent decades working in the technology industry. Mitchell has more than 20 years of hands-on experience designing and installing marine electronics and electrical systems. As founder of SeaBits, he tests, reviews and consults on marine technology, and contributes to 48° North and other boating publications.
“I’m grateful for the commitment of this outstanding group of judges and excited to evaluate this year’s entries and recognise the innovations that stand out among an exceptionally competitive field,” Stein continues.
Entries and awards
IBEX expects this year’s programme to include a record number of entrants. Exhibitors can submit products using the entry form in the Exhibitor Resource Centre. Entries must be submitted by 18 August 2026.
Submitted products will be displayed along Innovation Way, located on the second-floor rotunda, throughout the show from 6-8 October 2026.
The awards will be presented during the annual Industry Breakfast from 7.30 to 9am on Tuesday 6 October. The event will take place in the Tampa Bay Ballroom at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street in Tampa.
“The Innovation Awards are one of the defining moments of IBEX, recognising the ingenuity and engineering excellence that continue to move the marine industry forward,” says Mary Velline, IBEX show director. “Every year, exhibitors introduce products that solve real-world challenges, improve the boating experience and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We look forward to celebrating the companies whose ideas and technologies are helping shape the next generation of recreational boating products.”
IBEX will also hold an Innovation Meet + Greet on Innovation Way from 2.30-3pm on Tuesday 6 October. The event will give attendees an opportunity to meet Innovation Award entrants and winners and view the products entered into the programme.
Show registration
The 2026 IBEX show will take place at the Tampa Convention Center from 6-8 October 2026. Registration is open to visitors and accredited press, while exhibitors can register additional booth staff.
Tickets for the Industry Breakfast are available through the registration process. The event has reached capacity in previous years.
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