BlueTech Week: Bridging Gaps

BLUETECH WEEK: EVENT OVERVIEW

As one of the first ocean and water technologies clusters in the U.S., TMA BlueTech is known for being at the forefront of advancing sustainable and responsible ocean and water technologies through innovation and collaboration. One of the ways we do this is by hosting pioneering events that bring together diverse minds from various sectors and silos to drive technological advancements, both the foreseen and unforeseen.

BlueTech Week is TMA’s annual flagship event. This is not just another large-scale conference; it is a smaller, more intimate event that is known for bringing together highly diverse technologies and knowledge sets with a high concentration of key decision-makers. This aggregation ensures that BlueTech Week offers unparalleled opportunities for highest-quality interactions that lead to positive commercial outcomes.

This year, BlueTech Week is innovating yet again by exploring the powerful intersection between maritime defense, maritime decarbonization, and ocean resilience technologies. We invite you to join us on this groundbreaking journey, which has high positive-impact potential for not only ocean and coastal ecosystem worldwide, but for high-value commercial opportunities in these three sectors as well.

PART 1: BLUETECH SUMMIT & EXPO (November 18-20)

Theme: Uniting Maritime Defense and Decarbonization

Part 1 of BlueTech Week will explore the unique opportunities at the intersection of maritime defense and maritime decarbonization-related technologies. The event will bring together a diverse group of industry leaders, policymakers, international stakeholders and active duty officers uner the U.S. Department of Defense to discuss the future of innovation and environmental stewardship in the maritime sector. Participants will engage in dynamic conversations about policy frameworks, technology integration, and how best to leverage these synergies for commercial opportunities.

Attendees will gain insights into cutting-edge technologies that enhance naval operations while minimizing environmental impact, including dual-use innovations that bridge defense and commercial applications. Additionally, the event will highlight collaborative initiatives focused on decarbonization, with a particular emphasis on aligning sustainability goals with defense readiness.

This gathering also serves as a platform for exploring cross-border partnerships, featuring international perspectives that showcase how global collaboration can accelerate advancements in both maritime defense and decarbonization technologies. From policy discussions to investment strategies, Part 1 will provide actionable takeaways for stakeholders looking to drive innovation and achieve a more sustainable future for the maritime industry.

Key Highlights of Part 1

• Defense-Driven Decarbonization: Attendees will explore how defense initiatives are leading the charge in decarbonization technologies, with a focus on innovations that enhance naval operations while reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact.
• Strategic Dual-Use Technologies: Learn how cutting-edge technologies, initially developed for maritime defense, are being adapted for sustainable applications. These dual-use innovations offer both enhanced defense capabilities and solutions for decarbonization, bridging military and civilian sectors.
• Defense Policy and Sustainability: Gain insights from defense policymakers on the evolving regulatory landscape that integrates decarbonization goals with national security strategies, fostering the development of green defense technologies.
• Global Defense Collaboration: Engage with defense industry leaders and international collaborators to explore opportunities for joint ventures and partnerships aimed at scaling decarbonization solutions, emphasizing the global security implications of sustainable maritime practices.
• Commercial Defense Opportunities: Explore commercial opportunities arising from the intersection of maritime defense and sustainability, with a focus on how businesses can contribute to and benefit from the defense sector’s commitment to decarbonization and environmental resilience.

PART 2: OCEAN RESILIENCE SUMMIT (November 21)

Theme: Integrating Innovation, Science, Investment and Policy for Sustainable Oceans

The Ocean Resilience Summit will showcase groundbreaking technologies that are making a direct and positive impact on ocean, climate, and coastal health. With a focus on actionable solutions, the summit will spotlight the Southern California region’s key players—leading innovators, policymakers, and academic institutions—who are coming together to organize and drive real-world impact in ocean resilience. Attendees will explore how collaboration is advancing sustainable solutions, from maritime decarbonization to coastal protection.

Adding to this regional leadership, a delegation from New Zealand will join the summit, marking the beginning of a powerful partnership between Southern California and New Zealand. This partnership aims to share innovative ideas, create commercial opportunities, strengthen connections among policymakers and academic institutions, and advance ocean science in both regions. Together, these efforts will help foster global solutions for ocean and climate resilience.

Key Highlights of Part 2

• Innovative Ocean Health Technologies: Discover cutting-edge technologies driving positive impact in ocean, climate, and coastal health, with a focus on practical, real-world solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges.
• Leadership from Southern California: Learn how Southern California’s key players are organizing collaborative efforts to lead the global blue economy in ocean resilience, creating a model for other regions worldwide.
• Cross-Regional Partnership with New Zealand: Engage with a New Zealand delegation focused on building powerful cross-regional partnerships, fostering shared ideas, scientific collaboration, and unlocking commercial opportunities.
• Commercial Opportunities at the Core: Attendees will have unique access to key stakeholders across industries, academia, and government, with a central focus on discovering commercial opportunities and advancing technologies that can be scaled for global impact.
• Networking and Collaboration: Join forces with industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators, gaining critical insights into ocean science, technology, and resilience, and forging new connections to advance both science and business.