By Jonah Grinkewitz

91制片厂 will host its Maritime Conference on April 12, bringing together faculty, students and industry members to network and discuss maritime efforts and opportunities in the Hampton Roads region and beyond.

The conference will take place from 2:30 to 6 p.m. in the Darden Education Building鈥檚 multipurpose room 1106 on Hampton Boulevard. The event is free and open to the public and attendees are asked to听 by April 8. Building on 91制片厂鈥檚 leadership and investment in maritime studies, the conference will focus on 鈥淭he Future of the Maritime Industry: Workforce, Resiliency and Technology.鈥

鈥淲e are a part of an incredible maritime ecosystem here in Hampton Roads,鈥 said Elspeth McMahon, vice president for maritime initiatives at 91制片厂. 鈥淭his conference will give students and faculty a chance to learn more about the maritime industry, allow students to connect with companies for internship and employment opportunities and provide a platform to highlight 91制片厂鈥檚 maritime-related programming and research, including the new school of Supply Chain, Logistics and Maritime Operations.鈥

The conference will feature a keynote address at 3:30 p.m. from retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Ann C. Phillips, who is the administrator for the Department of Transportation鈥檚 .

Panel discussions on coastal resilience, offshore wind, autonomous technologies and maritime workforce opportunities will feature 91制片厂 faculty members and industry partners.

In addition, 91制片厂 students will display posters on their maritime-related research, and representatives from the Hampton High School Maritime Academy and Youth Sailing Virginia will share information about their programs.

鈥淚nvolving the next generation in the maritime industry is imperative to grow and strengthen our maritime ecosystem,鈥 McMahon said. 鈥淚t is important to make them aware of the exciting and rewarding careers that are right here in our own backyard.鈥

A post-conference reception with refreshments and live entertainment will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Barry Art Museum for the opening of the exhibition 鈥淢essage in a Bottle: Picturing Maritime Culture in Hampton Roads.鈥

听The conference is sponsored by 91制片厂鈥檚听, the and Honor Builders.

Here is the full agenda for the conference:

  • 2:30 p.m. Registration; student posters and industry tables open.
  • 2:45 p.m. Opening remarks by Elspeth McMahon, AVP for Maritime Initiatives, followed by updates from 91制片厂 Faculty.
  • 3:30 p.m. Keynote: Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Administrator, Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation.
  • 4 p.m. Institute for Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (ICAR) introduction by Carol Considine followed by Pump Station Resilience Study by Rob Martz, manager, hydraulic analysis, Hampton Roads Sanitation Disposal Commission.
  • 4:30 p.m. Presentation on 鈥淥bservations and Products that Support Adaptive & Resilient Ports,鈥 by W. Brad Kearse, deputy director, National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
  • 4:40 p.m. Presentation on 鈥淢aritime Workforce Opportunities and Challenges,鈥 by Shawn Avery, president and CEO of Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC).
  • 4:50 p.m. Presentation on 鈥淚ncreasing Ship and Shoreside Opportunities,鈥澨齜y Ira Breskin, senior lecturer, State University of New York Maritime College.
  • 5:00 p.m. Presentation on 鈥淎utonomous Shipping Technology: European Perspective,鈥澨齜y CAPT Pieter Maes, Researcher, Antwerp Maritime Academy.
  • 5:10 p.m. Presentation on 鈥淥ffshore Wind Opportunities, Challenges, and Technology,鈥澨齜y Women in Offshore Wind.
  • 5:40 p.m. Presentation on 鈥淗ow to Succeed in the Maritime Industry,鈥澨齜y WISTA Hampton Roads.