BlueTech Month

Envisioning

MEDIA KIT

Thank you, sponsors, partners, and speakers for being part of the…

Next Evolution of the Ocean Economy

and sharing with our community the important role you play in BlueTech Month.

So what is BlueTech Month?

BlueTech Month 2025 is a globally recognized, month-long celebration of ocean innovation, security, and sustainability, hosted by TMA BlueTech each November in San Diego.

Across multiple high-impact events, BTM25 convenes leading voices from ocean science, maritime tech, defense, climate, education, and investment—driving forward a bold regional and national strategy for the Blue Economy.

Each event in the series is designed to:

  • Envision the next evolution of ocean innovation and security

  • Advance a regional, long-term mission with real outcomes

  • Capture a high-energy, high-opportunity moment for growth

  • Convene a tribe of credible, inspired, and strategic stakeholders

  • Deliver authority, impact, and momentum

  • Feel dynamic, hopeful, connective, and fun

We invite you to get involved by learning more about each part of the month’s events below, spreading the word, and sharing your part in shaping our blue economy!

_____

Useful Overall Info (see breakdown by Parts 2-4 below)

Important Links

Key Dates and Locations

  • Overall Event: Envisioning, Parts 2–4 | San Diego | November 13–20, 2025

  • Part 2:

    • November 13: VIP Summit onboard the Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Broadway Pier) 1000 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101-3316

    • November 14: Open House Star of India, celebrating her 162nd Birthday at Maritime Museum of San Diego.

    • November 15: Demo & Exhibition at Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego

  • Part 3:

    • November 17: The Big Picture & Core Technological Shifts - Liberty Station Conference Center (2600 Laning Rd, San Diego, CA 92106)

    • November 18: Collaboration, Innovation & Economic Strategy - Liberty Station Conference Center (2600 Laning Rd, San Diego, CA 92106)

    • November 19 — On-Water Demo Day. Taking place at the Aquatic Center in National City (3300 Pepper Park Pl)

  • Part 4:

    • November 20: Ocean Enterprise Reimagined - Scripps Seaside Forum (8610 Kennel Way, La Jolla, CA 92037)

Social Media

  • Sample Invite Text:

    • We are attending BlueTech Month. Will you be there? Tickets Are Now Live for BlueTech Month: Envisioning! This isn’t just a conference — it’s where participants shape and direct the trajectory of Southern California’s BlueTech ecosystem, spanning maritime defense, ocean resilience, decarbonization, data, and investment.

      Join a tribe of visionaries who get things done — leaders, innovators, and builders with exclusive access to the conversations, collaborations, and opportunities shaping an inspiring ocean future for a region that has the scale to make a powerful global impact.

      Hosted by TMA BlueTech, each part of the program translates ideas into action, advancing San Diego’s long-term mission: a resilient, high-growth maritime economy driven by intelligence, integrity, and collaboration.

      This is a space for imagination with intent — where strategy meets creativity, innovation meets discipline, and a shared vision becomes a roadmap for impact.

      Would you like a seat at the table? Here's the relevant info.

      - Envisioning, Parts 2–4

      - San Diego | November 13–20, 2025

      - Full Program: https://www.tmabluetech.org/bluetech-month-2025

      - Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bluetech-month-2025-tickets-1689174268709?aff=oddtdtcreator

  • Sample Hashtags

    • #BlueTechMonth #TMABluetech #BlueEconomy #BlueTech #OceanInnovation #OceanEnterprise #SanDiego

Part 2

Adapting Norway’s Ocean Model to Unleash Southern California’s Scale

November 13–15 | Maritime Museum of San Diego & aboard the Statsraad Lehmkuhl

Where history meets the future: this event invites the public, educators, and students to explore how ocean technology is evolving — followed by a full day of high-impact policy and workforce development programming. With Norway’s historic research vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl docked in San Diego, we’ll examine how cross-national partnerships, workforce strategy, and smart maritime policy can catalyze economic opportunity and ocean sustainability here at home.

November 13, on board the Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Broadway Pier): Policy, Workforce, and Innovation.
The day’s programming will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and educators to explore how the BlueTech ecosystem can grow sustainably—advancing innovation while cultivating the skilled workforce needed for this rapidly evolving sector.

The evening will culminate with an exclusive reception aboard the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, where policymakers, philanthropists, and industry leaders will gather in an intimate setting to forge new collaborations, announce commitments, and chart the next phase of BlueTech growth.

Proceeds from ticket sales for November 13 event will be directed to a dedicated TMA fund supporting scholarships for students and second-career seekers from underserved communities, enabling them to complete short-term maritime training and secure well-paid, high-demand ocean industry jobs.

November 14, from 10am to 4pm at Maritime Museum of San Diego: Open House Star of India, celebrating her 162nd Birthday.

Join the celebration aboard the world’s oldest active sailing ship, the Star of India! Enjoy free entry (walk-up only) and explore this remarkable vessel as volunteers serve cake and punch starting at noon, while supplies last.
Visitors wishing to explore the rest of the Maritime Museum may upgrade to general admission.

November 15, from 10am to 4pm at Maritime Museum of San Diego: Hands-on Exploration, and Interactive Experiences to learn about new innovative robotics, engineering and technologies designed to study and sustain our precious waterways. BlueTech demonstrations and experience stations will be included with general admission ticket purchase. Exhibitors will be staged on the steam ferryboat Berkeley upper deck. More demonstrations will take place on the aft barge area found at the rear of the Maritime Museum. Also see additional activities on Agenda.

The Statsraad Lehmkuhl, docked at Broadway Pier, will open its deck from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Guests are invited to step aboard this legendary tall ship, explore its magnificent decks, and hear the crew share inspiring stories about the vessel’s mission and global journey.

Part 2 Agenda

  • November 13th Specific Post:

    • Join us and the entire BlueTech community for BlueTech Month. The annual celebration of ocean innovation, connecting ideas and people, is in its 17th year. This year’s theme is focused on ENVISIONING, and together we will determine the next evolution of the ocean economy. We extend a special invitation to you for the November 13th Part 2 of BlueTech Month 2025, focused on Adapting Norway’s Ocean Model to Unleash Southern California’s Scale. Programming is focused on policy, innovation, and workforce transformation, hosted in partnership with the Maritime Museum of San Diego, culminating in a VIP reception aboard the historic Statsraad Lehmkuhl

    • Get the details and grab your tickets below:

      Date: November 13
      Location: Broadway Pier, San Diego
      Time: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM + Evening Reception: 5:00–7:30 PM aboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl

      Highlights include:

      • Fireside Chat: “From Ports to Communities: BlueTech’s Social Impact” with Yehudi “Gaf” Gaffen and Eric Johnson

      • Presentation of the inaugural Gaffen Blue Champion Award honoring leadership in building the Blue Economy

      • An exclusive evening reception with policymakers, philanthropists, and industry leaders aboard one of the world’s most iconic tall ships

      We’ll explore how global partnerships, regional strategy, and maritime workforce development can drive inclusive and sustainable ocean innovation at scale.

      Proceeds support scholarships for underserved students and second-career seekers to access maritime training and high-demand ocean industry careers.

      Register here: Get your ticket

      #BlueTechMonth #TMABluetech #BlueEconomy #BlueTech #OceanInnovation #OceanEnterprise #SanDiego

SPEAKERS

Part 3

From Seabed to Space:
The Next Evolution in Maritime Defense, Infrastructure and Resilience Integration

November 17–19 | Liberty Station Conference Center, Port of San Diego, and on-water demo locations

This is the core gathering of BlueTech Week 2025—Part 3: The Next Frontier in Maritime Defense, Infrastructure, and Resilience | From Seabed to Space—where strategy, technology, and urgency intersect.

What if the future of global power projection and economic resilience was shaped not in boardrooms or battlefields, but along our coasts? Part 3 brings together defense leaders, technologists, strategists, and investors to define that future and build the roadmap to get there.

Developed with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and under consideration as a formal DICE-level showcase, the summit will feature top participation from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Five Eyes partners, and commercial pioneers in AI, autonomy, infrastructure, and space-based intelligence.

November 17 — The Big Picture & Core Technological Shifts

The first day sets the strategic stage. Leaders from defense, science, and industry gather to chart how global maritime power, technology, and sustainability will intertwine by 2040.
Discussions move from space-based intelligence to next-generation port infrastructure and the energy systems that sustain maritime operations in a shifting world. Artificial intelligence, autonomy, and data integration emerge as core enablers of both mission readiness and environmental resilience.

November 18 — Collaboration, Innovation & Economic Strategy

Day 2 dives deeper into collaboration and execution. Panels explore how undersea intelligence, high-speed autonomy, and real-time ocean data are transforming operations and reshaping the maritime industrial base.
The conversation broadens to ports as anchors of energy and digital innovation, and to the investment strategies driving the next generation of ocean technology. This is where policymakers, investors, and innovators align on a shared roadmap — linking defense priorities to sustainable growth, and innovation to opportunity.

Two days of panels, workshops, and roundtables culminate in the TMA Challenge on November 19—a live, on-water demonstration and prize challenge focused on deployable solutions for coastal domain awareness, interdiction, and maritime operational continuity. Senior defense leaders and tech scouts will be on site to evaluate, engage, and invest.

November 19 — On-Water Demo Day

Taking place at the Aquatic Center in National City (3300 Pepper Park Pl), this free event will feature in/on-water tech demos from 10 of TMA’s most innovative member companies.

PART 3 AGENDA
Speakers (coming soon)

Part 4

Ocean Enterprise Reimagined:
Accelerating Innovation for Maritime Security, Economic Resilience, and Scientific Impact

November 20 | Scripps Seaside Forum

We close BlueTech Month 2025 with a powerful finale at the iconic Scripps Seaside Forum — the definitive gathering for ocean innovation leaders focused on the future of the U.S. ocean enterprise. Backed by the NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerator grant, this full-day event brings together top startups, scientists, investors, and policymakers to explore emerging technologies in ocean observation, maritime security, resilient infrastructure, and dual-use innovation.

The highlight of the program will be the introduction of the new StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator Cohort — the next generation of ocean innovators advancing solutions at the intersection of science, sustainability, and enterprise.

The StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator is an immersive program designed to help U.S.-based (or U.S. subsidiary) ocean intelligence startups launch and scale in support of the goals of the NOAA Ocean Enterprise Initiative. Housed at the University of California San Diego, this program combines the entrepreneurial expertise of the Rady School of Management and  Sullivan Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation with the world-class ocean and technical expertise of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

For investors, strategic partners, and technology buyers, this event offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with the founders shaping the future of BlueTech — and to support ocean innovation at its earliest and most impactful stage.

Expect a dynamic mix of panels, startup showcases, and investment insights — all aimed at accelerating high-impact solutions for economic growth, strategic advantage, and coastal stewardship.

And of course, we’ll close with our legendary Sunset Reception — an unforgettable conclusion to BlueTech Month, set against the stunning La Jolla coastline.

PART 4 AGENDA
Speakers (coming soon)

November 20th Specific Post:

  • Join us for Ocean Enterprise Reimagined: Accelerating Innovation for Maritime Security, Economic Resilience, and Scientific Impact. This is the definitive gathering for ocean innovation leaders and our Showcase Demo Day and powerful finale on Nov 20, at Scripps Institution of Oceanography to close out BlueTech Month.

    Backed by the NOAA Ocean Enterprise Accelerator, this full-day event brings together startups, investors, scientists, and policymakers to explore cutting-edge tech in ocean observation, maritime security, resilience, and dual-use innovation.

    The highlight: unveiling the new StartBlue Ocean Enterprise Accelerator Cohort — the next generation of U.S.-based ocean intelligence startups.

    Expect panels, startup showcases, and investor insights — plus our legendary Sunset Reception on the La Jolla coast.

  • Get your tickets today for OER Day on November 20th! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bluetech-month-2025-tickets-1689174268709?aff=oddtdtcreator

  • #TMABlueTech #BlueTechMonth #StartBlue #BlueEconomy #BlueTech #OceanInnovation #OceanEnterprise #OceanIntelligence #OceanEcosystem #BlueEcosystem #Entrepreneurship #Oceanography #Marine Technology #EconomicGrowth #UCSanDiego

Right-click to download/copy any of our images below for your usage

Thank you to our sponsors!