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Blue Innovation Symposium 2026

Wyndham Newport Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, RI

February 9 @ 8:00 am – February 12 @ 5:00 pm

Every year, the Blue Innovation Symposium brings together over 400 participants for three days of education, networking, and matchmaking.

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking “Get Tickets” will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Attendee BIS 2026
$ 300.00
176 available
Government Registration
(.mil or .gov required)
$ 120.00
Unlimited
Student Registration
(.edu required)
$ 125.00
Unlimited
Exhibitor BIS 2026
Includes exhibitor table, listing in conference brochure and social media, registration list, and 3 registrations.
$ 1,600.00
27 available
Navigator Sponsorship $3,500
Includes premier recognition in conference brochure, social media, and during the program. Ability to contribute material to newsletter and exhibitor table with 5 registrations.
$ 3,500.00
5 available
Pioneer Sponsorship $5,000
Includes all the benefits of a “Navigator” level sponsorship and 10 registrations.
$ 5,000.00
3 available
Visionary Sponsorship $10,000
(limited to 2)
$ 10,000.00
2 available
Quantity: 0
Total: $ 0.00

DRAFT AGENDA

Monday, February 9, 2026

8:30AM-4:00PM Rhode Island Ecosystem Tour

Leave from Wyndham Newport Hotel, Middletown, RI

4:30PM-6:30PM Opening Event and Networking Reception  Passed Hor ‘d’oeuvres & Cash Bar

Tuesday, February 10

8:00AM-8:30AM            Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30AM-9:30AM            Opening Remarks

Introduction:                   Dr. Toby Stapleton, Director, Blue Venture Forum, Inc.

Board Welcome:           Nate Walton, founder and principal, Sachem Strategies and Chair, Board, Blue Venture Forum, Inc.

Welcome:                         Honorable Daniel J. McKee, Governor of Rhode Island

Opening Remarks:        Honorable Bernadette Jordan, Consul General of Canada in Boston

9:30AM-10:15AM Keynote: Ben Van Mooy, Vice President for Science & Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)

10:15AM-10:45AM Break

10:45AM-12:00PM Panel Discussion: Unlocking the Ocean’s Secrets: The Future of Oceanographic Data 

12:00PM-1:00PM Lunch

1:00PM-1:45PM Flashtalks-Global BlueTech Innovators and Entrepreneurs

1:45PM-2:45PM Panel Discussion: Military Drivers of Innovation in Defense Tech

2:45PM-3:15PM Break

3:15PM-4:00PM Special Presentation: Ocean Tech Challenge (OTC) Accelerator Flashtalk Presentations 

4:00PM-5:00PM Blue Venture Forum Special Presentation and Annual Rising Tide Award Ceremony

Join us as we recognize individuals and organizations for their continued support of, and leadership within, the blue economy.

5:00PM-6:30PM Opening Reception

Passed Hor ‘d’oeuvres & Open Bar

Thank you to Our Sponsors

Wednesday, February 11

8:00AM-8:30AM Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30AM-9:15AM Opening Remarks

9:15AM-10:00AM Keynote

10:00AM-10:45AM Panel Discussion: Blue Economy Investing Today, Panel Discussion

10:45AM-11:15AM Networking Break

11:15AM-12:00PM Panel Discussion: Turning data into intelligence and insight for critical decision making

12:00PM-1:00PM Economic Update Luncheon, Growing our Ocean Economy: A Fireside Chat with Stefan Pryor, Secretary of Commerce, State of Rhode Island

Brought to you by the Blue Venture Forum and the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce

1:00PM-2:00PM Panel: Regional Collaboration in the Blue Economy

2:00PM-2:45PM Networking Break 

2:45PM-3:30PM Flashtalks-Global Bluetech Innovators and Entrepreneurs

3:30PM-4:45PM Panel Discussion: Autonomy to 2030: Safely Deploying Surface and Undersea Vessels at Scale

4:45PM-5:00PM Closing Remarks

5:00PM-6:30PM Closing Reception

Passed Hor ‘d’oeuvres & Cash Bar

Thursday, February 12

9:30AM-3:00PM Matchmaking Meetings

ROOM BLOCK

We’re pleased to offer a special room block for Blue Innovation Symposium attendees at the Wyndham Newport.

To access the group rate, you can:

  • Book Online: Visit www.wyndhamnewportri.com and enter the group code 020926BLU to be directed to the exclusive Blue Innovation rate.
  • Call Directly: Contact the hotel at 401-236-2020 and reference “Blue Innovation”

Rooms within the block are available through January 12th, or until the block is filled. We encourage you to reserve early for the best availability.

We look forward to welcoming you to Newport!

Wyndham Newport Hotel

240 Aquidneck
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842 United States