New Wave Media

 

Oceanology International North America 2017 (OINA 17) partner The Maritime Alliance (TMA) held its annual ‘BlueTech Week’ in San Diego last week from November 7 to 11. The event provided a platform for more than 400 delegates to network with academic and government leaders, industry executives, investors and BlueTech clusters from around the world to promote BlueTech and Blue Jobs, while highlighting San Diego as the ideal city for the forthcoming OINA 2017 conference and exhibition, which is set to become a central biennial meeting point for North America’s diverse ocean industry.

 

This year’s BlueTech Week theme, ‘Case Studies of Collaboration’ with focus on international partnerships, mirrors OINA 2017’s all-encompassing outlook. Bringing together all aspects of ocean science and marine technology, OINA 2017 expects thousands of attendees from industry, academic and government communities across the Americas and globally when it debuts at the San Diego Convention Center, California from February 14 to 16, 2017. The TMA’s BlueTech week has been the perfect prelude to OINA 2017, showing San Diego as an international hub for ocean science and marine technology, and highlighting the importance of collaboration and technology transfer for the betterment of ocean industries and the environment.

 

Case Studies of Collaboration was prevalent throughout the six events taking place over five days last week. BlueTech Week proceedings kicked off on Monday November 7 with the 2nd Annual BlueTech Cluster Convening, which hosted 11 BlueTech Clusters from seven countries. This was followed by Tuesday’s all-day Big Data, Data Analytics, OceanGIS and Maritime Cyber Security, (Co-sponsored with Scripps Institution of Oceanography) conference. Wednesday and Thursday hosted the 8th Annual BlueTech Summit + Tech Expo and the Annual Maritime Gala Dinner and Awards, while Friday’s BlueTech Pitch-fest provided the opportunity for 20 organizations to present in front of Investors, Philanthropists and Corporate Partners.

 

Like OINA 2017, BlueTech Week is dedicated to bringing the industry together to learn from experts and peers. BlueTech Week events attracted a wealth of industry figures, presenting on diverse topics within the collaboration theme including Mark Berry – Division Head, Maritime Systems Division, SSC Pacific; Dr. Jeff de La Beaujardiere – NOAA Data Management Architect; Margaret Leinen, Ph.D. – Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences & Director of SIO; Mark Spalding – President, The Ocean Foundation; Rear Adm. Jon White – CEO, Consortium for Ocean Leadership; and the Honorable Betty T. Yee – California State Controller and Chair, California State Lands Commission.

 

A delegation from OINA 2017 organizer Reed Exhibitions was in San Diego for BlueTech week. OINA Senior Event Director, Jonathan Heastie said, “We are delighted to be bringing OINA 2017 to San Diego in association with The Maritime Alliance, especially after witnessing the enthusiasm and professionalism on show throughout BlueTech Week. TMA developed a strong agenda for the week and we are looking forward to continuing these important discussions when OINA 2017 debuts in San Diego this February.”

 

Michael Jones, President of The Maritime Alliance said, “Our theme for BlueTech Week was collaboration and that will continue into OINA. We’re also thrilled that TMA will be launching the first-ever U.S. Maritime Technology Export Initiative in collaboration with the U.S. International Trade Administration, and bringing key buyers to the trade show, with a focus on Marine Institutions and Ports.”