Providing what the industry wants and needs has long been the maxim behind Oceanology International (OI), the world’s largest exhibition and conference for the ocean science and marine technology community.
This commitment has resulted in the launch of the biennial Oceanology International North America (OINA) being held for the first time in San Diego, Calif., from Feb. 14-16, 2017 at the San Diego Convention Center.
“We’ve been regularly asked whether we could re-create the OI London magic in the world’s largest marine technology market, North America … and now we have!” says Event Director, Jonathan Heastie of Reed Exhibitions. “Like OI London over its 46 year history, OINA will bring together all elements and communities within the North American ocean science and marine technology market. This includes ensuring we bring together multiple buyers from differing industries, all united by the use of technology, but in a myriad of different ways. We are looking forward to working with all the industry stakeholders to deliver a world-leading event for the benefit of its participants.”
The two events will alternate. OI London is being held March 15-17, 2016 and will repeat in 2018, 2020 and so on, and OINA launches in 2017 with subsequent events in 2019, 2021 and further ‘odd years’. OI China, launched in 2013, will continue to be a Fall event in Shanghai (OI China 2015 is being staged November 3-5, 2015). OI London 2014 attracted 8,400 attendees from 52 countries – an increase of 10 percent over 2012. Exhibitor figures were higher than ever before with 528 exhibiting companies from 35 countries.
Vessel movements in the display area outside the London show also proved a record-breaker with 148 movements during the three days with 1198 people aboard and a record number of 13 visiting vessels. The organizers and supporting partners of OINA 2017 will work with the Unified Port of San Diego to organize similar opportunity for exhibitors and visitors.
“We could not launch OINA alone,” Jonathan Heastie adds. “We are delighted to be able to announce that the new American show is supported by The Maritime Alliance (TMA), the cluster organizer for the San Diego maritime technology community, whose mission is: ‘To promote sustainable, science-based ocean & water industries’ and which has an active outreach program with BlueTech clusters around the U.S. and the world; and The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT). SUT is the multidisciplinary learned society that brings together organizations and individuals with a common interest in underwater technology, ocean science and offshore engineering, and with whom OI has been involved since it began in 1969. We look forward to involving other traditional OI supporters as well.”
“TMA is pleased to be the regional sponsor for OI North America,” says Michael Jones, President of The Maritime Alliance. “As one of the leading maritime technology and tourist centers in the world – and with the declaration of a BlueTech Vision by the City, County and Port of San Diego – San Diego is the ideal choice to host OINA.”
Bob Allwood, Chief Executive of the SUT says: “The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) is delighted to support this exciting initiative in North America. The OI series of conferences has been an outstanding success and was originally developed by the SUT 45 years ago. We are delighted to see it develop into the major show it is today in London and in other parts of the globe. San Diego is the ideal venue in the USA and I am sure the show will similarly become the major event for the ocean technology community in the Americas.”
OINA 2017 the component parts
The three day OINA 2017 will feature a large exhibition and a multi-track conference encompassing the core topics of relevance to the ocean science and marine technology community.
These include unmanned vehicles and vessels; ocean observing systems; positioning and metrology; hydrography, geophysics and geotechnics; relevant offshore oil and gas topics; marine renewables; and sessions on the Blue Economy; BlueTech and Blue Jobs will be introduced thanks to the involvement of the TMA. As with OI London a steering committee will be formed and chairmen from within the industry sought for every conference track.
Networking will form an important role at icebreaker and other social events; and so too will waterborne activities.
