International WorkBoat Show Brings Together Thousands of Maritime Professionals for Networking, Education and Innovation | Sponsored: International Workboat Exhibition

Registration is open for the 2024 International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans, a premier event for maritime industry professionals focused on networking, education, product sourcing and industry innovation.

The show will take place November 12-14 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Participants can register online at www.workboatshow.com. The early bird price applies until October 15th. More than 13,000 people and more than 1,000 exhibitors are expected at this year’s event. Participants include boat builders, engineers, naval architects, port authorities and government officials, manufacturers and others involved in commercial shipping around the globe.

“The great thing about our show is that the audience spans the entire industry and about 90 percent of attendees are involved in their organization’s buying process,” said event director Lauren Streeter. “If you’re someone who works in or is interested in product development, there’s really no better place to see products, talk to manufacturers and find out about the latest innovations in the industry. It’s also a great way to advance your career through networking and education.”

Based on feedback from previous participants, this year’s International WorkBoat Show will feature several new educational events as well as additional sessions and activities focused on underwater intervention methods. There will be technical discussions on topics such as safety and survival, dry dock materials and construction, electrical systems and more. The more technical discussions take place in smaller sessions designed to promote a question-and-answer format.

“Underwater operations have been a huge win for the industry because there are so many synergies,” Streeter said. “This year we’re really focusing on what UI brings to the world of marine technology. This is a nice addition and adds another level of educational opportunity.”

Additionally, several sessions will focus on workforce development with suggestions on how companies can identify and retain talent, what employers can offer to attract qualified employees, and how to help employees expand their skills and knowledge.

“The International WorkBoat Show is unique because it is part of our overall brand, which also includes WorkBoat Magazine and workboat.com. This means we receive constant feedback from various channels about the challenges the industry is facing and what people need from us,” said conference manager Jessica Eames. “The biggest discussions at the moment are around workforce development and further integrating technology into the industry. We also have some sessions on what government and military customers are looking for, which are always very popular. There is a lot of talk about rules and regulations, which tend to generate even more interest in an election year because they are more likely to change.”

Eames said another new event for the 2024 show is a luncheon focused on women in the maritime industry, which will include a panel discussion and networking coffee hour about companies that are successfully recruiting women into the industry, the remaining challenges and possible steps forward Measures taken to bring more women into the Navy workforce.

In addition, several international purchasing delegations from around the world will be in attendance, building on a successful program from last year. This year there will be delegations from countries such as Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Norway, the United Kingdom and others.

“A lot of business happens at the fair every year,” Streeter said. “Our post-show survey results consistently show that approximately 70 percent of visitors will make a purchase as a direct result of attending the International WorkBoat Show. We certainly see a lot of shops and businesses at the show, but there are also a lot of preliminary discussions around product demos that lead to deeper discussions after the show. If you are an exhibitor, this is the right place to introduce your product or service to potential buyers. It’s not just a three-day experience. The networking this creates really opens the door for long-term relationships that lead to big deals and repeat buyers.”

Anyone interested in attending the 2024 International WorkBoat Show is encouraged to register, make travel plans and book hotel rooms online at www.workboatshow.com. An interactive exhibitor list is available online and helps visitors plan their visit to the trade fair. In addition, a new mobile app will be launched approximately two weeks before the show with new features and the ability to create a profile, schedule meetings and connect with other attendees.