Since OiA launched in 2017 it has provided a catalyst for innovation, with the Ocean Futures Conference at the event representing a focal point to which visitors and exhibitors alike can bring new ideas and help set the stage for positive change in and around the world’s ocean industries.
With less than four months remaining until the show opens, OiA has recently been passing key milestones in exhibitor registrations. As David Ince, Event Director for organisers RX Global said: “We are on track to fill our Exhibit Hall with an inspiring and broad showcase of technology-based solutions to help all those involved in exploring, protecting, and sustainably operating in the world’s oceans. It is a pleasure to be able to return to San Diego and bring the industry together to see solutions first-hand and meet face-to-face in a vibrant, trade show environment.”
(Image credit: OiA)
Connections made at events like OiA can unlock the innovations necessary to meet the needs of climate change adaptation, ocean health, the energy transition, and market developments in the Blue Economy. OiA exhibitors all have one thing in common—they all offer viable solutions for real world problems.
Oceanology International Americas recently announced the 2023 conference theme of ‘The New Blue Economy: Unlocking the Potential’. The opening plenary will set the scene for the future development of the New Blue Economy, with senior representatives from federal and state government and from ocean technology and ocean services businesses describing their visions of the future. Daily Ocean Futures panel discussions will highlight considerations concerning the role of new blue economy products and services in delivery of energy transition and will explore the foundational science, effective innovation, and workforce development that will be needed to unlock the future new blue economy.
MATCHMAKING
New to OiA is a B2B matchmaking event on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK EDGE, the b2match event will give OiA attendees the opportunity to meet potential collaborators and business partners during pre-arranged one-to-one meetings between exhibitors and visitors, active in the blue economy.
According to Tim Benzie, Project Lead at Innovate UK EDGE, the b2match model has already proven its worth at other Oceanology events: “Innovate UK EDGE is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment in the innovative businesses that drive economic growth and has already successfully delivered b2match as part of Oceanology UK events in 2018 and 2020. This represents the first expansion of this fast-moving dynamic model into the international ocean scientific industry, and we plan to bring a sizeable UK delegation with us to San Diego to support this.”
FOCAL POINT
San Diego lies at the heart of the blue economy representing a focal point for technologists and tech accelerators to showcase new to market solutions to an interested worldwide audience. The US offers the ocean technology, science, and engineering communities the largest subsea market in the world, making it as attractive to European manufacturers looking to get a foothold in this marketplace as it is to domestic exhibitors. The accessibility of San Diego from Canada, Mexico, Australia, South America, and the wider APAC countries means that attendees are from diverse, economically and strategically significant regions.
This feature appeared in Environment, Coastal & Offshore (ECO) Magazine's 2022 Winter edition, to read more access the magazine here.
