The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), North America’s technical trade event for the recreational marine industry, has appointed Mary Velline as show director.
“We took our time to ensure we found the person who would be the right fit as the new IBEX show director,” said Executive Director Anne Dunbar. “Mary brings a wealth of trade show, event management and association experience to the IBEX team, and we are thrilled to have her join us. I can’t wait for everyone to meet her at IBEX.”
Velline is transitioning from a career in the automotive, fire, rescue, and EMS sectors. As the former senior vice president of business development for the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association (MADA) and the Twin Cities Auto Show, and the group show manager at Cygnus Business Media, she has a “proven track record in creating vibrance in existing businesses and new opportunities across various domains.”
Starting her event career at Cygnus, where she reportedly managed a portfolio of three annual B2B conferences and trade shows, Velline ran a training and conference program with over 200 instructors and exhibits.
In her previous roles, she was “instrumental in developing and executing business strategies and budgets, fostering key relationships with external stakeholders and spearheading new partnerships.”
“I am thrilled to join the established and experienced IBEX team,” said Velline. “Taking the reins from Anne has left me with tremendous shoes to fill, but drawing on her continued leadership as executive director and working with the close-knit team, I feel confident that my experience, along with their support, will be a positive change for IBEX. I am looking forward to building new relationships and meeting the industry at IBEX in October.”
Velline holds a Bachelor of Science in marketing, mass communications and computer applications from the University of Minnesota.
Images courtesy IBEX
