The annual Our Ocean Wealth Summit will feature a host of national and international thought leaders, policy makers and business experts debating the future of Ireland’s marine economy on Friday 30 June at NUI Galway.
World-renowned speakers will explore this year’s theme of ‘Rethinking Boundaries and Innovation for a Sustainable Marine Economy’. The summit offers a unique platform for global and national leaders from across the marine industry and related sectors to convene and collaborate on innovating for our marine future.
Keynote speaker is Tom Kelley of award-winning global design and development firm, IDEO, who will inspire business leaders to engage in creative thinking and challenge perspectives to encourage new ideas and approaches on how Ireland can continue to transform its marine industry.
Tara McCarthy Chief Executive of Bord Bia will be among the panellists discussing how Ireland’s established economic sectors, such as the food sector, can turn their attention to the sea in the session, Smarter and Better. Mike Hall from Cruise and Maritime Voyages, and Miguel Marques of PWC Portugal will also feature on the panel.
President of Exploration Ventures and former Vice President National Geographic Society, Terry Garcia will reflect on the need to innovate arising from our changing oceans. Also bringing a wealth of international experience to the panel is Dr Wendy Watson Wright, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI ).
There will also be a focus on the Irish economy, by discussing opportunities for innovation in Ireland’s marine and coastal tourism sector, in The Coastal Economy session. Panellists include Fiona Monaghan Head of the Wild Atlantic Way Programme at Fáilte Ireland, Yvonne Shields Chief Executive at Commissioners of Irish Lights and Jim O’Toole BIM Chief Executive.
A key aspect of the summit is to announce progress updates on Ireland’s Integrated Marine Plan, Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth - an initiative of the inter-departmental Marine Coordination Group.
For the full Our Ocean Wealth Summit programme and to register visit www.ouroceanwealth.ie/register A number of related marine industry and research events will also be held on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 June 2017, including the Digital Ocean Conference and the Marine Trade Show. BIM’s National SeaFood Conference, ‘Winning in a Changing Environment’ will be held on Thursday 29 June. The National SeaFood Conference will offer a speaker line-up of leading seafood industry experts and commentators, a dynamic conference programme with a strong focus on Skills, Sustainability, Innovation and Competitiveness and the latest thinking and policies shaping Ireland’s opportunity in the global seafood industry. For more information visit www.bim.ie All events are held as part of SeaFest 2017, Ireland’s national maritime festival, from 30 June to 2 July 2017 in Galway.
