Reconnecting the ocean technology industry: highlights from OiA 2023
Oceanology International Americas (OiA) made a triumphant return to the ocean technology scene last week after a four-year gap due to the pandemic. The event was a perfectly pitched and well-received balance of debate, innovation and thought leadership.
With 2,594 attendees from 27 countries, the exhibiting companies provided a diverse physical showcase of ocean technology, engineering and science solutions. The Ocean Futures Theatre held rapt audiences on a wide array of ocean technology subjects, featuring industry luminaries such as Dr Rick Spinrad, Chris Ostrander and Captain Kate Hermsdorfer, while the Technical Conference focused on remote asset monitoring, marine mammal & fishery concerns in offshore wind and case studies in coastal protection.
Connecting blue tech leaders
With San Diego’s rich history as the US Navy’s West Coast hub, OiA drew a wide range of industry stakeholders from around the world. For example, TMA BlueTech, one of the largest blue tech clusters globally, was impressed by the quality of the speakers and the chance to connect with high-level executives from cutting-edge blue tech companies worldwide. Meanwhile, Sidus Solutions, a manufacturer of underwater lights, cameras, positioners, lasers and inspection systems, welcomed OiA’s international attendees and praised the organizers for pulling in local defence clients.
The event presented an opportunity for many exhibitors to meet clients in person, in many cases for the first time, and have conversations with potential clients rather than curious browsers. The Canada Pavilion, which made its welcomed return to OiA, was one of the liveliest areas of the show floor, with a delegation of 75 people across 43 companies. Cathy Williams of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) hosted a successful reception that offered the cohort a great opportunity to network in a more relaxed atmosphere and continue those high-level conversations.
Wide range of industry stakeholders
David Ince, the event director, was delighted with the quality and diversity of speakers across a variety of keynote panels and industry dialogues that have set the bar for future Oceanology events. “It’s been great to see the different networks within the Oceanology community come together to socialize, meet new people and of course develop business opportunities on the exhibit floor. Our Technical Conference and Ocean Futures Theatre were busy all week and the level and diversity of speakers across a variety of keynote panels and industry dialogues has set the bar for future Oceanology events. We’ve heard from a wide range of industry stakeholders including NOAA, IOC-UNESCO, Scripps, US Naval Oceanographic Command, MTS, SUT, the Canadian Super Cluster, BOEM, the US Department of Energy and so much more, all helping to map, direct and develop future ocean-focused strategies across business, industry, science and regulatory endeavours.”
“I’d like to thank all of the key stakeholders, supporters, exhibiting companies, visitors and delegates and look forward to catching some of you in London for Oceanology International in March 2024, before we return to San Diego in 2025!”, the event director concluded.
