OI North America 2017 Registration Open

One year on from its official launch, online registration is now open for the debut Oceanology International North America (OINA) exhibition and conference. Taking place at the San Diego Convention Center, California on February 14 – 16,2017, OINA is an exciting new biennial series that will bring together 1000s of professionals from the ocean science and marine technology communities across the Americas and globally.

Based on the same uniquely diverse approach that has helped to establish OI London as the leading event of its kind, OINA is set to become the must-attend forum for industry, academia and government looking to share knowledge in order to improve their strategies for measuring, advancing, protecting and operating in the world’s oceans.

Organized by Reed Exhibitions in association with The Maritime Alliance (TMA) and supported by a wide range of partners including The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT), OINA 2017 features a packed conference schedule with papers presented by many of the leading names in the world of ocean science and marine technology. The three-part program will consist of a series of keynote end-user focused panel discussions, topical technical sessions and a full day dedicated to the Catch the Next Wave conference, all aiming to provide a better understanding of present and future requirements and opportunities of the Blue Economy.

“OINA is the next step in the evolution of Oceanology International, the world’s longest running and most famous ocean science and marine technology event,” said Event Director, Jonathan Heastie of Reed Exhibitions. “Oceanology International has taken place in the UK for the past 47 years. We introduced a sister event in Shanghai in 2013 and are now excited to be bringing Oceanology International to the world’s largest market for ocean technology, North America. The conference and exhibition will focus on key issues for North America and globally, while placing the spotlight on world-class technology and research projects.”

The Opening Plenary will feature distinguished leaders from science, industry and government describing the characteristics of the Blue Economy, the science and technologies that enable ocean activities and the imperatives for protection of the marine environment. This will set the scene for three keynote panel discussions covering Ocean Resources, Transportation & Security and Climate & Environment, exploring emerging end user requirements for ocean science and technology in support of delivering a safe, sustainable and environmentally sound Blue Economy.

A series of topical technical sessions will run across the three days exploring the latest developments in ocean science and technology and their application in support of safe and sustainable use of the oceans. These sessions will feature technology advancements, case studies and best practice, presented by industry and marine science experts. Key topics include: Big Data, Visualization and Modelling, Communication and Positioning, Hydrography, Geophysics and Geotechnics, Sensors and Instrumentation, and Unmanned Vehicles and Vessels. Throughout OINA there will also be sessions dedicated to meeting the education and career development needs of the Blue Economy.

In line with Oceanology International’s prominent position within the ocean sciences and marine technology sector, the OINA Conference Committee comprises of experts from leading organisations, including representatives from Institute for Ocean Research Enterprise, Ocean Networks Canada Innovation Center, The Maritime Alliance, U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Program, The Society for Underwater Technology, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology and other industry consultants.

OINA 2017 will also feature the fourth edition of the future focused ‘Catch The Next Wave’ (CTNW) conference. Taking place on the third and final day of OINA, CTNW takes a longer-term view of the science and technology that will shape future exploration, understanding, development and protection of the oceans. In this special edition of CTNW, in association with Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Oceanology International honors the achievements of Scripps oceanographer Walter Munk as he approaches his 100th birthday and as he continues to contribute to the future direction of ocean science and technology.

“In keeping with past Catch The Next Wave conferences, we take a look at where some of the many aspects of ocean science that Walter has worked on in his long and distinguished career are heading, and how diverse technological innovations, including emerging robotic technologies and the latest developments in machine learning and autonomy, might contribute to progress,” says Heastie.

The aim of CTNW is to explore examples of the trajectory of technological innovation outside of the ocean community with the objective of sparking new ideas across disciplines and sectors. The CTNW Conference Committee comprises of representatives from Sonardyne, Oceaneering International, BP, Just Innovation, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Center for Marine Robotics, The XPRIZE Foundation and The Explorers Club.

In line with the established Oceanology International conference and exhibition in London, the OINA conference is supported by an extensive industry exhibition. Booths from some of the biggest names in the industry will present a glimpse into the next generation of products and solutions designed to support both research and commercial operations. Major players from the US and Europe including iXblue, Teledyne, Hydroid, Xylem, Fugro and KONGSBERG, have all confirmed booths in anticipation of OINA becoming the must-attend biennial US event covering all aspects of global ocean science and marine technology.

“The quality and sheer diversity of our partners, conference committee members, speakers and exhibitors, positions OINA as the most complete event encompassing all aspects of ocean science and marine technology in the US. Like Oceanology International in London, we expect OINA to become an essential meeting point for industry professionals, government and research organisations as it offers such a broad mix of learning, networking and purchasing opportunities all under a single roof,” concludes Heastie.