ExCel, London's international exhibition and conference centre, will this March again host the biennial Oceanology International (OI) spectacular: extensive technical conference programme showcasing what's new in marine science and ocean technology, and the world's biggest oceanography trade show for more than five hundred international suppliers, service providers, supplementary vessels, careers, meetings and social events. We at Hydro international look forward to meeting exhibitors and visitors; to some perhaps a melting pot of specialist companies, but to us a well-organised grouping of expertise. Knowing the latest on takeovers and joint ventures is, however, not the end of the matter. There is also the concept of partnering.

Many companies and consumers develop successful long-term strategic relationships based on best practice and sustainable competitive advantage: the definition of ‘business partnering' offered by Wikipedia. Building a successful partnership is often an intuitive and evolving exercise based on organisational and individual learning, finding equals, sharing goals, planning and aiming high; support, trust and experimentation. Intuitive it may be, but a World Economic Forum 2005 survey suggested certain success factors underpinning effective partnerships, including openness, transparency and clear communication; clarity of roles, responsibilities, goals and ‘ground rules'; commitment to core competencies; respect for differences in approach, timeframes and objectives; understanding needs of local partners and beneficiaries, focus on building own capacity and capability rather than creating dependence; and aiming for mutual benefit such that partners were enabled in meeting both their own objectives and common goals.

Partnering will be in evidence on many OI stands. In the preview ATLIS mentions its partnership with the Hydro Team, and Planet Ocean with its partners ASL Environmental Sciences, AXYS Technologies, Satlantic, Star-Oddi and its newest, WET Labs. Xsens, celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, will prove its commitment to the concept by hosting an exclusive lunch for selected customers and partners such as Sonardyne, Septentrio Satellite Navigation and QPS. And then there are companies like IMarEST, welcoming marine partners to its stand. Provence Promotion, a French economic development agency, is offering a search for partners in R&D, manufacturing and distribution, while Igeotest declares itself the best marine geotechnical partner in the Mediterranean region and Marine Sampling Holland says its the right partner for offshore projects investigation.

The preview contains further information on companies, new products and technologies. The other important component of OI, the conference, developed in co-operation with the Society for Underwater Technology, will focus on the five core technical disciplines covered by the event, including Navigation & Positioning, Marine Environment, Ocean Observation & Forecasting, Geotechnics and, last but not least, Geophysics & Hydrography. Heading up the proceedings will be industry movers and shakers; representing Hydrography, Andy Hill of BP. You will find our interview with him in this section.

So stand by for the giant leap into a vibrant Oceanology International 2010, with partnership centre stage. Hydro international will be on Stand M10, and we look forward to meeting you and learning from your feedback.