Global success for Plymouth's first Marine Tech Expo
Experts in marine research and technology from across the globe, including USA, Europe and the UK, were among more than 100 delegates attending Plymouth's first ever Mayflower 400 Marine Tech Trade Expo last month.
The event, which took place on 14 September 2016, was organised by Plymouth City Council to promote the city as a centre for marine technology and research. Key areas including exporting, satellite applications, big data, future ship building opportunities, marine research, biogeochemistry, ocean observation, maritime cyber security as well as Plymouth’s Oceansgate were all showcased.
Leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Ian Bowyer, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the fantastic success of our first ever Marine tech expo and it really does show that Plymouth is at the forefront of marine technology.
“Plymouth’s marine related business sector now has more than 300 businesses, employing 1400 people. It is important and growing.”
Michael Jones President of The Marine Alliance based in San Diego, talked about the opportunities that international marine clusters could bring to the UK. He said: “Marine Tech Expo 2016 had good speakers, good information, and good networking. I hope to participate again next year!”
Highlights of the event included:
- Delegates were given the chance to climb on board the city's renowned research fleet, on the water, to see how blue tech innovation is being used to pioneer marine research techniques across the world.
- Leading marine organisations displayed state of art blue tech inside the Marine Station. WITT Energy demonstrated their award winning ‘motion harvesting’ device.
- MostAV’s founder Mike Poole enthusiastically talked about the AutoNaut cutting edge technology.
- ASV Ltd used the mega screen display to bring their futuristic Autonomous Surface Vehicles to life.
- The Marine Station was used both for tours and for displays from start of the art blue tech companies.
- Live demonstrations of some of the UK’s most advanced autonomous surface vehicles, research vessels and blue technology in operation.
The event concluded with networking opportunities alongside a Plymouth Gin reception sponsored by the Plymouth University Marine Institute.
To find out more about how you can be part of Plymouth’s next Marine Tech Expo please register your interest by emailing MarineTechExpo@plymouth.gov.uk
