2025 Program
Revised date: 12/12/2024
#IBWSS25 will be held April 14-17, 2025. Keynotes will explore leadership, community outreach, and emerging trends. Breakouts will equip attendees with tips and resources to implement in their boating and water safety outreach efforts. This year’s Premier conference sponsors are At the Helm Training and Chapman School of Seamanship.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Registration Desk
Registration
Pick up your name badge, registration packet, and ask questions at the registration table. Name badge required for IBWSS sessions.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Solana ABCDE Foyer
Complimentary Professional Headshots
Stop by the Foyer near Registration to get your complimentary photo taken by Ken Waldron, producer at the National Safe Boating Council. Images will be emailed 1-2 weeks following the conference.
2:00 PM – 2:50 PM
Cira Ballroom A
New Attendee Networking
First and second time attendees are welcome to stop by and meet a conference mentor and learn more about how to make the most of your IBWSS experience.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Cira Ballroom BC
National Safe Boating Council General Membership Meeting
All are welcome! The NSBC board of directors and executive director will share updates on NSBC programs. There will be prizes!
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Solana Ballroom AB
Welcome to the International Boating and Water Safety Summit
The 2025 opening ceremony of the International Boating and Water Safety Summit; including Presentation of Colors, singing of the U.S. National Anthem, remarks from the U.S. Coast Guard, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Followed by the NSBC Boating Safety Hall of Fame and Silver Schooner awards presentation.
Speakers
Alan Dennison
Peg Phillips
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Solana ABCDE Foyer
Evening Reception in the Exhibit Hall
Network with speakers, sponsors, and attendees at a reception sponsored by At the Helm Training & Chapman School of Seamanship. Visit with leaders in recreational boating and water safety at tabletop exhibits. Last chance to get your free professional headshot. Appetizers and other refreshments will be served.
Brought to You By
At the Helm Training
Chapman School of Seamanship
Registration desk open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
8:00 AM – 8:25 AM
Solana ABCDE Foyer
Exhibit Hall
Visit with the tabletop exhibitors before heading into the ballroom for general sessions.
8:30 AM – 9:05 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
State of the Industry
TBD
Speakers
TBD
9:05 AM – 9:45 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
Sailing for Autism
TBD
Speakers
Scott Herman
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
Sponsor Raffle
Fun Q&A with the #IBWSS25 emcee, Kim Sweers, along with sponsors. Must be present to win.
Sponsors
TBD
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Solana ABCDE Foyer
Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall
Enjoy a cup of coffee and network with other attendees and sponsors.
Sponsor
TBD
10:30 AM – 10:40 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
Sponsor Raffle
Fun Q&A with the #IBWSS25 emcee, Kim Sweers, along with sponsors. Must be present to win.
Sponsors
TBD
10:40 AM – 11:10 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
Prove Your Social ROI
TBD
Speaker
Kim Sweers
11:10 AM – 11:30 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
Who Needs a Captain’s License, and What is the Process?
TBD
Speaker
Peg Phillips
Virgil Chambers
Pam Dillon
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Solana Ballroom AB
Cold Water Immersion
TBD
Speakers
Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Solana Ballroom E
Networking Lunch
TBD
Sponsor
TBD
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Solana C
Lake Hartwell Water Safety Promotion Program
TBD
Speakers
Tonya Grant
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Solana D
Breakout Session
TBD
Speakers
TBD
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Solana C
Breakout Session
TBD
Speaker
TBD
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Solana D
Breakout Session
TBD
Speaker
TBD
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Solana C
Breakout Session
TBD
Speaker
TBD
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Solana D
Everything You Need to Know about Creating the Best Emergency Action Plan!
At the Junior Sailing Program in Beaufort, NC, we didn’t have an Emergency Action Plan, so we set out to create one. Find out what we learned along the way and how it translated into real-life experiences when we had an emergency during one of our classes. In this session, you’ll learn how to fine-tune an existing Emergency Action Plan or create a new one from scratch.
Speaker
Brad Baker
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM
Solana ABCDE Foyer
Exhibit Hall
Visit with the tabletop exhibitors and network with attendees.
Registration desk open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
8:00 AM – 8:25 AM
Solana ABCDE Foyer
Exhibit Hall
Visit with the tabletop exhibitors before heading into the ballroom for general sessions.
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
Boat History Report
TBD
Speakers
Caroline Mantel
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
Coalition of Excellence
TBD
Speaker
John Dial
Peg Phillips
John Haggerty
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
Sponsor Raffle
Fun Q&A with the #IBWSS25 emcee, Kim Sweers, along with sponsors. Must be present to win.
Sponsors
TBD
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Solana ABCDE Foyer
Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall
Enjoy a cup of coffee and network with other attendees and sponsors.
Sponsor
TBD
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
Sponsor Raffle
Fun Q&A with the #IBWSS25 emcee, Kim Sweers, along with sponsors. Must be present to win.
Sponsors
TBD
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
Chapman School of Seamanship
TBD
Speaker
Jim Allen
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
BoatFix
TBD
Speaker
Carl Blackwell
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Solana Ballroom AB
Sponsor Raffle
Fun Q&A with the #IBWSS25 emcee, Kim Sweers, along with sponsors. Must be present to win.
Sponsor
TBD
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Solana Ballroom E
Networking Lunch
Sponsor
TBD
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Solana C
Safety Station #1 – BoatFix
TBD
Companies
BoatFix
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Outdoor Pool
Safety Station #2 – Cold Water Workshop
TBD
Instructors
Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht
Joe McCullough
Lily Colby
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Solana D
Safety Station #3
TBD
Participants
TBD
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Parking Lot
Safety Station #4
TBD
Participants
TBD
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Solana C
Safety Station #1 – BoatFix
TBD
Companies
BoatFix
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Outdoor Pool
Safety Station #2 – Cold Water Workshop
TBD
Instructors
Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht
Joe McCullough
Lily Colby
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Solana D
Safety Station #3
TBD
Participants
TBD
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Parking Lot
Safety Station #4
TBD
Participants
TBD
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Solana C
Safety Station #1 – BoatFix
TBD
Companies
BoatFix
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Outdoor Pool
Safety Station #2 – Cold Water Workshop
TBD
Instructors
Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht
Joe McCullough
Lily Colby
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Solana D
Safety Station #3
TBD
Participants
TBD
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Parking Lot
Safety Station #4
TBD
Participants
TBD
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Solana C
Safety Station #1 – BoatFix
TBD
Companies
BoatFix
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Outdoor Pool
Safety Station #2 – Cold Water Workshop
TBD
Instructors
Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht
Joe McCullough
Lily Colby
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Solana D
Safety Station #3
TBD
Participants
TBD
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Parking Lot
Safety Station #4
TBD
Participants
TBD
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Hospitality Suites
NSBC Instructor Reception
Reception and meeting for NSBC certified instructors. If you are interested in becoming a NSBC certified instructor, you are welcome to attend. Hear from NSBC’s Peg Phillips and Alexis Webb, and more.
Registration desk open from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
8:00 AM – 8:25 AM
Solana ABCDE Foyer
Exhibit Hall
Visit with the tabletop exhibitors before heading into the ballroom for general sessions.
8:00 AM – 8:35 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
General Session
TBD
Speakers
TBD
8:35 AM – 10:00 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
World Forum on Boating Safety
Hear from world leaders about what’s happening in their country related to recreational boating and open water safety. Encouraging behavior change, specific responses to high-risk groups, education and training opportunities, and affirming safe boating behaviors and attitudes are just some of the engaging topics of this dynamic session. Countries to be announced.
Speakers
TBD
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Solana ABCDE Foyer
Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall
Enjoy a cup of coffee and network with other attendees and sponsors brought to you by TBD.
Sponsor
TBD
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
IBWSS Communication Awards + More
The IBWSS Communication Awards showcase outstanding outreach efforts of organizations, agencies, and groups who advocate for boating and water safety. Announcement and celebration of the 2025 recipients. Additional award recognition.
Speakers
Kim Sweers
Peg Phillips
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
General Session
TBD
Speaker
TBD
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Solana Ballroom AB
Final Remarks
Thank you for attending the 2025 International Boating and Water Safety Summit! Don’t miss a sneak peek at the 2026 International Boating and Water Safety Summit.
The raffle for the GRAND PRIZE will be held during the final remarks – must be present to win.
Speaker
Peg Phillips
