The UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Alliance for the Blue Economy (All Blue) are hosting the inaugural Ocean Innovation Conference on September 19 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the UNCW Burney Center. Panel discussions include Sparking Regional Blue Innovation, Ocean Innovation Technology, Innovations in Sustainability and Innovation Investment.
The conference, which is open to the public, brings together leaders from business, government and academia.
“By bringing together influential figures in the industry and the region, the CIE aims to spark a more collaborative process in the development of new ideas and innovations in the blue economy and create a vibrant blue economy hub in Southeast North Carolina,” said Heather McWhorter, CIE Director.
Conference speakers will include Wilmington-born Rear Admiral Laura M. Dickey, Deputy Materials Preparedness Officer for the United States Coast Guard. She will provide important insight into current USCG activities and how future plans will impact the North Carolina coast.
Marine biologist and best-selling author Wallace J. Nichols, aka “J,” will discuss the “Blue Mind” movement, an emerging area of research and health and wellness practices exploring the cognitive, emotional, psychological, and social benefits of water .
The lunch keynote speaker is Jake Kheel, author of Waking the Sleeping Giant: Unlocking the Hidden Power of Business to Save Our Planet and Vice President of the Grupo Puntacana Foundation in the Dominican Republic. Kheel, who is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker, will share information about the Dominican Coral Innovation Hub and discuss the role of the private sector in marine conservation.
Event sponsors include NC Idea, NC Sea Grant, City of Wilmington, UNCW Center for Marine Science, Blue Mind Coworking, Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center and UNCW’s NC Small Business and Technology Development Center.
Visit the CIE website for more information, including speaker bios, session details and links to event registration.
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