Last week brought some interesting topics to the Oceans 2022 conference here in Virginia Beach. Hundreds of vendors and attendees from around the globe for this weeklong event in Virginia. Several new innovated designs in Lidar, radar and sonar sensing equipment, cabling and more. Educational institutional representation from colleges from across the nation, special trades and training opportunities abound. From Centura colleges wind technician program to Old Dominion University continued education collaboration. Virginia set the perfect backdrop for the event as the marine studies continue on the VBDP test pilot site 27 miles off the cost of. Virginia looks poised to becoming the next major hub for the expansion of offshore wind on the east coast.
Everyday brought new and informative lectures and presentations from world renowned speakers. Covering every topic from wildlife preservation to mitigating fishing grounds. I took in a lecture panel discussion with the effects of offshore wind presented by BOEM-Bureau of Ocean Energy. I now see my industry with new eyes and have a greater respect for what goes on behind the scenes. The hundreds of studies, tests and observations that go into these projects and the dozens of departments involved are staggering.
Overall, the event was extremely informative and useful, with all checks in the boxes for content. The crowd was diverse and engaging, as well as the collaborations vendors made with the after-hours sessions. I look forward to following this event as it makes landfall next year as Oceans 2023 taking place in Biloxi Mississippi.