Diving Into Innovation at the OCEANS 2025 Conference

October always feels like conference season — a time when professionals from around the world gather to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends, and strengthen collaborations. Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending and speaking at the OCEANS 2025 Conference in Chicago, a global gathering for those advancing ocean science and maritime technology.

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The event brought together a remarkable community of researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers united by a shared mission: to better understand and sustainably use our planet’s largest natural resource — our oceans.

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Throughout the conference, I was inspired by the innovation on display. Highlights included:

• Artificial intelligence being used in a growing number of applications, from environmental monitoring to autonomous systems.
• Advancements in sensor technology, allowing for more precise and real-time data collection in and around the water.

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I was honored to participate in two panel discussions — one exploring women in STEAM and the entrepreneurial pathways available to them, and another focused on supporting maritime technology companies, especially those developing dual-use applications.

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In addition, the St. Petersburg Innovation District was proud to exhibit as part of The Continuum, a NOAA supported Ocean Enterprise Accelerator that includes seven organizations. Our participation highlights how our region continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of the ocean innovation ecosystem.

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Before the end of the month, I am headed to two more conferences. These are important reminders of the power of collaboration — and how sharing knowledge across regions and disciplines can accelerate progress toward a sustainable future for our region and the District.

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Alison Barlow‍

CEO