The UNCW CIE Ocean Innovation Conference was created in 2023 and was an outstanding success thanks to our speakers, sponsors, participants, and partners. Learn more about last year's conference on this page. We're creating a changemaker movement!
"The real voyage of discovery consists not so much in seeking new territory, but possibly in having new sets of eyes." - Marcel Proust
Thought leaders, innovators, and change makers gathered on September 19, 2023 at UNCW for the first time at the Ocean Innovation Conference to discuss turning knowledge about our ocean and waterways into action.
From climate change to overfishing to pollution, there are many problems to be addressed to protect our ocean. Earlier in 2023, more than 190 countries came together to sign a treaty to protect our ocean life. Entrepreneurs, universities, and government are focusing on "what's next" in protecting the ocean. Building upon the treaty, the entrepreneurial and innovation community, and the world renown research of UNCW, UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) and the Alliance for the Blue Economy (All Blue)created the Ocean Innovation Conference to bring together changemakers.
Attendees of the conference explored how Southeast North Carolina and others can embrace the opportunity to protect our ocean. We reflected on ocean trends and challenges, as well as growing the local economy and improve livelihoods by protecting the ocean and increasing innovation. We learned about how water affects our well being and how it can foster creativity, innovation, and resilience.
Throughout the day, there were discussions of our blue ecosystem in the region, advancements in ocean-based innovation and technology, opportunities for investment in these innovations, and endeavors to preserve the precious resources of our oceans.
Conversations touched on our region's efforts to build our blue ecosystem, new ocean-related innovation and technology and investment opportunities available for these innovations, and efforts being made to sustain the valuable resources of our ocean.
The September 19, 2023 conference was SOLD OUT, with more than double the projected participants. Participants ranged from high schoolers who were enrolled in a year-long curriculum to learn about large problems such as water accessibility and climate change to venture capital to elected government officials to entrepreneurs to concerned citizens - and so many more.
The common thread of participants: Curiousity about the problems. Care about our region and water. Willing to lean in and make a difference.
At the 2023 Ocean Innovation Conference, we heard from three diverse, thought-provoking keynotes providing actionable insights.
What is the future of ocean innovation? Where are we now, and what do we need to do from here? Rear Admiral Laura M. Dickey, Deputy for Materiel Readiness at the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, a native of Wilmington, provided key insights about the U.S. Coast Guard’s current activities and how plans could impact coastal North Carolina.
Reporting to the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, RADM Dickey provides oversight and guidance for program management of Coast Guard engineering, logistics, acquisitions, contracting, and command, control, communications, and information technology. The Mission Support enterprise is responsible for staffing, training, equipping, and sustaining the Coast Guard to ensure force readiness and delivery of operational outcomes. Her responsibilities include the execution of a $2.5 billion annual budget, leading over 10,000 personnel and oversight of 25 acquisition initiatives representing a $42 billion life cycle investment portfolio.
What is the Dominican Coral Innovation Hub and what is the role of the private sector in marine conservation? Keynote Jake Kheel is a sustainability innovator, thought-leader, and award-winning documentary filmmaker. For fifteen years he has confronted social and environmental challenges in the tourism industry as Vice President of Grupo Puntacana Foundation in the Dominican Republic. His vast experience working with companies to drive sustainability shown in his 2021 book “Waking the Sleeping Giant: Unlocking the Hidden Power of Business to Save Our Planet”.
Dr. Wallace J. Nichols (J) has been called a water warrior, one who commits to helping others access their “blue mind state.” His visionary ideas related to ocean and aquatic ecosystems, migratory species, marine protected areas, fisheries management and plastic pollution inspire others to find a deeper connection with nature and embrace inventive approaches to issues ranging from protection of ocean life to global water supply to the mental health benefits of a life spent on or near the water.
Formerly a senior scientist at Ocean Conservancy, J holds a M.E.M. degree in Natural Resource Economics and Policy from Duke University and a Ph.D. degree in Wildlife Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona. He received a Bradley Fellowship to study the impacts of sea level rise at Duke University Marine Lab, a Marshall Fellowship to study at the University of Arizona, and a Fulbright Fellowship to study at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico marine station in Mazatlán. In 2011 he was inducted as a Fellow National member of the Explorers Club. In 2014 he received the University of Arizona's Global Achievement Award.
J has authored more than 200 publications, lectured in more than 30 countries and nearly all 50 states, and appeared in hundreds of media outlets including NPR, BBC, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Time, Newsweek, GQ, Outside Magazine, USA Today, Elle, Vogue, Fast Company, Surfer magazine, Scientific American, and New Scientist. His book "Blue Mind" quickly became a national bestseller. It has been translated into numerous languages, most recently Mandarin.
Among the things J teaches us, is that everything is fluid. What he gets jazzed about the most is helping to change the conversation about, well, you name it: business, community organizing, education, health care, neuro conservation, oceans, technology, water, well-being, and more.
In addition to the featured speakers, four thought-provoking moderated panels were held throughout the day during the 2023 conference.
An Innovation Expo was held in conjunction with the conference to showcase innovative companies and programs.
UNCW Center for Marine Science
Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center
NC Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
Thank you to the generous sponsorships of these organizations!
“Preserving, protecting, and restoring our waters are tasks for many lifetimes,
and sometimes the effort can seem overwhelming.
But as long as we stay connected with all of the many, many blessings that water provides, and continue to keep that love in the forefront of our minds and hearts,
as long as we remind ourselves to hope,
then our stories will help connect others to water and encourage them to do what they can to help care for this beautiful Blue Marble world.”
― Wallace J. Nichols, Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do
Ocean Conference Hopes To Ripple Out Solutions To Large-scale Water Issues (Greater Wilmington Business Journal, September 15, 2023)
Endorsed as a Decade Activity by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (September 7, 2023)
UNCW to hold its first Ocean Innovation Conference Sept. 19 (Coastal Review, September 7, 2023)
Ocean Innovation Conference to Explore Blue Economy and Innovation (UNCW News, September 7, 2023)
Love the Ocean? (Greater Wilmington Business Journal, Insights, August 28, 2023)
August, September Headliners (WRAL TechWire, August 28, 2023)
UNCW to Host Ocean Innovation Conference (WECT, August 26, 2023)