Waterways Journal plans second annual Inland Marine Expo in June

IBJ staff report

    ST. LOUIS – The Waterways Journal Inc. will hold its second annual Inland Marine Expo for the inland and intracoastal marine transportation industry on June 15-17 at the historic Union Station in downtown St. Louis.
    The event, known as IMX, sold out of exhibit space in its first year and attracted more attendees than projected. In a follow-up survey to more than 1,200 IMX 2014 exhibitors and attendees, 96 percent said they would recommend the event to colleagues.
    “IMX 2014 was a big success, but we’re just getting started,” said Nelson Spencer Jr., business manager of The Waterways Journal Inc., the owner of IMX and publisher of Waterways Journal Weekly, the inland marine transportation industry news publication. “Our second annual event in 2015 will be bigger and better, without losing the personal feel and inland focus our attendees and exhibitors told us they preferred.”
    In 2015, IMX will have space for nearly twice the number of exhibitors, bringing the total to approximately 300 booths, plus eight outdoor display areas for large equipment.
    In addition, space is being set aside for expanded educational opportunities, including free vessel and port/terminal engineering and management sessions, and a two-day conference titled “Inland Marine Opportunities,” which will contain information for carriers, shippers and ports/terminals.
    “In addition to increased foot traffic and more and larger exhibits, IMX 2015 will offer improved educational programs, as well as new and exciting networking events to keep everyone exchanging ideas, improving their business and building a better inland marine transportation industry,” said Spencer. “We are thrilled about the show’s future.”
    With more than 3,600 boats, 25,000 barges and thousands of docks on 12,000+ miles of waterways, the inland marine transportation industry is the largest (by vessel), most active (by number of vessels built) and most diverse sector of the U.S. commercial marine industry.
    IMX attendees include representatives from inland ports and terminals, barge and towing companies, fleeting and harbor services companies, dredging companies and marine contractors, inland shipyards and repair facilities, and engineers, divers, surveyors and other support industries, as well as related government agencies.
    More information about IMX can be found at http://inlandmarineexpo.com/.
    Since 1887, The Waterways Journal Inc. has offered authoritative periodicals for the marine industry. Located in St. Louis, the company currently publishes The Waterways Journal Weekly, Inland River Guide, Inland River Record, International Dredging Review, Marina Dock Age, HeartLand Boating and Quimby’s Cruising Guide. Information can be found at www.wjinc.net.