The 2020 conference calendar lies in ruins. Just about any in-person industry event scheduled before August has been canceled or postponed. And, as uncertainty reigns, the rest look sure to follow suit. These are unprecedented times for the ocean industries. Gone are the dockside demos, award ceremonies, and gala dinners; instead, we find ourselves anchored to our screens and reevaluating our marketing strategy.

And it’s during this recalibration of efforts that it dawns on us, just how important these conferences are: They give clear deadlines for product launches and strategic company announcements; they provide us with fertile ground for networking, for connecting with business associates old and new; they encourage a forum for knowledge expansion and industry-critical problem solving; and, ultimately, they render an essential panoramic of market conditions, horizons from which to seize opportunity.

We are all adjusting to new ways of working and that change is disruptive, but it cannot paralyze us as an industry. We have too much to share. The number of sell-out conferences on our regular roster is testament to that, if nothing else.

So, what now? What do we do in a world without conferences?

Futures Made of Virtual Reality

In the wake of COVID-19, some conferences have decided to reshuffle resources towards hosting online gatherings. Virtual events are nothing new, of course, but naturally struggle to create intimacy. But in the age of physical distancing and PPE as standard business attire, there is increasing interest.

I recently “attended” the International Partnering Forum (IPF), one of the first international events to commit to an online format. Organized by the Business Network for Offshore Wind and originally scheduled for April in Rhode Island, the conference was divided into a “Virtual” agenda (in April) and a “Together” line-up in August. (As the COVID-19 crisis deepens, it has now moved to a virtual only format over the coming months.) The Virtual panels provided compelling content and high caliber speakers, but it’s a tall order to capture the verve of IPF proper online.

Recreating the magic of an exhibition hall will be the next challenge for event organizers. Easier said than done, but this might just be the key to establishing an increasingly hybrid approach to conferences. After all, in a digital world, are we over reliant on face-to-face event attendance?

Getting Content Published Now

Podcasts, webinars, virtual meet-and-greets are increasingly the norm, and the quality of these may help transition a “new normal” into a more established means of conducting business over the coming months.

That is certainly our view at TSC. While we long to meet friends, colleagues and partners in person, we recognize that as fast-paced as our industry is, we have a duty to create new and engaging platforms that cater for stormy seas. That’s why our flagship publication, Ocean News & Technology is launching a new podcast, SeaState, in June.

There are, though, other ways we can help keep your company news top of mind as this conference hiatus continues.

1. Send your press releases to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Once approved by our editorial team, it will be posted to our website and may be featured in ON&T’s weekly newsletter.
2. Consider a Product Spotlight: Our editorial team is always looking for groundbreaking technology to feature in our magazines. To find out more, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
3. Collaborate with us on a Feature Package: This 2- or 4-page print feature is an in-depth company/product profile accompanied by images, infographics, etc. In addition, all features have top billing on our website and our social media channels.