Social Media Lounge to make debut at IBEX 2012

(Press Release)
June 20, 2012
Filed under News

Press Release

LOUISVILLE, KY – June 19, 2012 – A brand new attraction at the 2012 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) is the Social Media Lounge, where marine professionals can connect and engage with their online communities, and learn how to use these new tools to enhance their professional development and grow their businesses.

Managed by social media guru Josh Chiles, the Social Media Lounge will be located in the center of the exhibition hall. Chiles will present hourly group sessions on a wide range of social media topics as well as informal one-on-one Q&A sessions. Admission is free to all attendees and exhibitors.

“IBEX is where the business of boating gets done, and today social media is impacting more and more of that business,” said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “Savvy boating industry professionals are increasingly using social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and mobile smartphone apps to build leads, manage sales and build communities to engage with their customers, suppliers and distribution partners. It’s not only the future, it’s today, and it’s vitally important for companies to understand and embrace these technologies to thrive in the coming years.”

For 2012, IBEX is also introducing a powerful new mobile app that will help visitors find exhibitors, plan their seminar schedules, map out their exhibit hall strategies, view shuttle schedules and see the latest news and updates on developments in real time on their smart mobile devices.

Josh Chiles is CEO and founder of Engaged!, a social media firm specializing in the marine industry. He is on the board of directors for Marine Marketers of America and writes a blog for Boating Industry magazine. He also produces webinars for NMMA and Discover Boating, is a frequent speaker at industry conferences such as the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, and a guest on ProBoat Radio.

About IBEX

Owned and produced by Professional BoatBuilder magazine and the NMMA, IBEX is the marine industry’s largest technical trade event. For boatbuilders, marine industry dealers, aftermarket suppliers and buyers, designers, repairers, surveyors, and boatyard/marine operators, IBEX is where the business of boating gets done. For the latest information, visit www.ibexshow.com.

About Professional BoatBuilder magazine

Professional BoatBuilder, a boatbuilding-industry trade magazine, was first published in 1989 in response to a growing need for a dedicated forum for boatbuilding-related professionals. The magazine’s worldwide readership exceeds 24,000 (subject to BPA international audit). Professional BoatBuilder is online at www.proboat.com.

About NMMA

The NMMA is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in North America. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. Learn more at www.nmma.org.

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