from having to cancel IBEX in 2020 is that virtual shows will never replace the value of real face-to-face interactions . Gathering in-person matters and is critical for connection and commerce in every industry . Live shows have returned with a vengeance because people crave live connection and real experiences . Humans want to see other humans , and they want to see and touch products .
Our other big AHA ! is that in addition to having a live show , we have developed a unique online community that is hungry for more information . We launched ‘ IBEX 365 ’ which is our online , year-round platform that hosts webinars , conversations and experiences . Our website traffic , social media community and email metrics growth over the past three years have exceeded expectations .
BI : On the heels of the pandemic , Hurricane Ian created havoc in 2022 for Team IBEX , forcing last-minute cancellation of the show . AD : IBEX 2022 was a worst-case scenario for any event team , and what made it so stressful was the very short timeline . I arrived on site at the Tampa Convention Center on Friday , Sept . 23 , four days before IBEX was to open . It was business as usual ; the show was in full set-up mode .
During our Saturday morning meeting with the TCC , our on-site service providers , and the City of Tampa , all insisted we had nothing to worry about and no one was concerned . Still , we asked about evacuation plans . By noon , the forecast changed dramatically .
We scheduled a meeting with our board of director for noon and 3:00 pm that day to assess the situation . An email with clear messaging was distributed to manage the now-increasing emails and phone calls , and the same information was shared on our website and social media platforms . We all agreed we had to communicate as much as possible and to be transparent , knowing that more than 4,000 pre-registered visitors and 650 exhibitors were heading to the airport to travel to Florida !
We communicated we would make the decision about cancelling the event no later than noon on Sunday , Sept . 25 . Our aggressive and honest communications made a huge difference to many people who were trying to decide what to do . Although we hoped the path would change , it did not , and after a very
The family that plays together , stays together ! Anne , husband , two daughters and pup spend time together in the great outdoors .
Anne and Team IBEX were recently recognized by the NMMA for “ Best Team Culture .”
difficult meeting we made the call and sent out the cancelation announcement .
It was clearly the right decision , but an extremely stressful few days . I ’ m grateful to have a solid team and a supportive board who helped me navigate that situation .
BI : Your team really pulled together and was recognized recently by your owners : the NMMA and RAI Amsterdam . Tell us about that . AD : Having survived the cancellation of IBEX in 2020 , the Delta variant in 2021 , and the cancellation last year due to Hurricane Ian – I consider getting through the past three years an achievement . I don ’ t think my team , or I , have fully recovered from the challenges we have faced since 2020 .
BI : As you consider your 30-years in the business , what have you enjoyed most ? AD : I am the poster child for living the boating lifestyle , so I am completely happy when I am on or around boats . We own multiple boats , both sail and power , and we use them all , so working in this industry is a perfect match for me . I get paid to go to boat shows , AND talk about boats and boating . Being responsible for creating IBEX and bringing our industry together each year to share ideas , best practices , showcase what ’ s new and what ’ s next , and being part of the process that inspires positive change and building better boats is extremely gratifying . The connections , conversations , and ideas inspired by IBEX each year matter , and I am honored to be leading the team responsible for creating the platform for all of this to happen each year .
BI : What do you do for fun ? AD : We are outdoor people and love the seasons . In the summer , we spend as much time as we can on our boats and cruising the coast of Maine . This past year , we visited 16 islands and coastal towns , and it was incredible . During the winter , we ’ re skiers and love snow shoeing right out our back door .
BI : What ’ s a mantra you ’ ve adopted that has no doubt served you well the past few years ? AD : My favorite is : “ I accept .” This mantra is extremely freeing if you take an honest , deep breath and lean in to truly accept whatever is happening . Once you accept , all the stress and drama fall away , and you can focus , be present and move on .
www . boatingindustry . com february 2023
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