Networking by the Bay

Seagriculture USA

6 - 7 September 2023

Portland, ME, USA

Join us for a unique networking experience at Seagriculture USA: Networking by the Bay!

 

All the tours are fully booked! In case you haven't signed up, but you are interested in joining, please send an email to info@dlg-benelux.com. In case someone will cancel their registration, we will inform you.


What is Networking by the Bay?

  • It is a side program offered within Seagriculture USA 2023 to explore Portland and its coastal charm as well as the opportunity to exchange with the other conference delegates outside the conference room.
  • The Networking by the Bay event is free of charge, but for Seagriculture USA 2023 participants only.
  • Within this experience, we offer TWO very exciting tours and you can DECIDE WHICH ONE you would like to join: The Walking the Waterfront Tour OR a Boat Tour in Casco Bay.
  • Both tours will start at the conference hotel around 3.30 pm, right after the end of the conference program on September 7.
  • With both tours, we will end up at the Hús for a final get-together with some drinks and seaweed snacks. It is also possible to skip the tours and just join the get-together at the Hús.
  • Networking by the Bay = Exciting tours + final get-together at the Hús.


Networking by the Bay, September 7:

Start: 3.15 pm at the conference hotel (The Westin Portland Harborview)

Tours: 3.30 pm – 5.30 pm

Final get-together at the Hús: 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm


Please note that in case the weather conditions do not allow to conduct those tours, they might be cancelled.

Find out more about Networking by the Bay

Walking
the Waterfront Tour

More info


Boat Tour
in Casco Bay

More info

Final get-together at

The Hús

More info


Walking the Waterfront Tour

null

null

During the Walking the Waterfront Tour you will get to explore the waterfront together with Bill Needelman. The tour includes some highlights such as a stop at Kelson Marine + MITC and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

The working waterfront in Portland, Maine refers to the area along the city's shoreline where maritime industries and activities take place. It serves as a hub for commercial fishing, boatbuilding, cargo handling, seaweed farming, and other maritime-related operations. The working waterfront has played a vital role in the economic and cultural history of Portland, contributing to the city's identity and prosperity.

Tour guide Bill Needleman

null
William “Bill” Needelman is the Waterfront Coordinator for the City of Portland, Maine. Bill Needelman discusses the context and evolution of waterfront zoning in the City of Portland, Maine. The working waterfront is a defining characteristic of Portland, but the condominium boom of the 1980’s threatened to displace traditional fishing uses. Mr. Needelman shares the City’s experiences and lessons learned in implementing the new zoning regulations to enable both non-marine uses and traditional marine activity along an urban waterfront.

STOP: Kelson Marine & MITC

Kelson Marine partners with clients to solve the challenges of producing food and energy in the unrelenting ocean. Born on Maine’s working waterfront, Kelson combines advanced engineering tools and firsthand experience on the sea to deliver innovative and reliable systems. 

Maine International Trade Center (MITC) is DECD’s official international trade and investment office, a public-private partnership supported by the contributions of member companies and the state. MITC provides technical assistance, trade counseling and workshops, import and export leads, and international credit reports, as well as organizing and facilitating international trade shows and missions abroad.

STOP: Gulf of Maine Research Institute

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute is an independent, objective nonprofit organization dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. During the Waterfront Tour, we will walk along Union Wharf and the team will talk about their recent working waterfront preservation efforts.

Boat Tour

Experience the iconic lighthouses and sights of Portland Harbor and the picturesque waterway Diamond Pass. We’ll explore the bustling inner harbor and main shipping channel to get close up views of civil war era forts and the lighthouses that guide mariners into Portland Harbor.


  • The boat cruise is free of charge.
  1. Beverages are not included and can be purchased on board. 

null

Discover the Magic of Portland: Embark on an Exciting Boat Tour with Portland Discovery!

If you're seeking an unforgettable adventure filled with breathtaking views, captivating stories, and a glimpse of Portland's maritime history, look no further than our boat tour within Seagriculture USA 2023. 

Breathtaking coastal landscapes:

The rugged beauty of Maine's coastline is best experienced from the water, and a boat tour with Portland Discovery allows you to witness stunning vistas that can't be seen from land. Rocky cliffs, picturesque lighthouses perched atop craggy islands, and charming fishing villages dotting the shorelines create a mesmerizing tapestry that will leave you in awe.

Knowledgeable and engaging guides:

One of the highlights of the boat tour is the presence of expert guides who are passionate about the region's history, culture, and natural beauty. Their wealth of knowledge adds a fascinating layer to the journey, enriching your understanding of Portland's maritime heritage and the stories that have shaped the city. Be prepared to be captivated by tales of seafarers, pirates, and the legends of the lighthouses that have guided ships for centuries.

Final get-together at The Hús

Finally, we will all meet up at the Hús for drinks, snacks, and one last opportunity to network with conference delegates. This reception is sponsored by FocusMaine and the event space is donated by New England Ocean Cluster, which officially opened the Hús in 2020. This collaborative blue economy workspace is in the heart of Portland's working waterfront and brings together an impressive mix of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, academic partners, ecosystem supporters, and non-profits.


From 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

The Hús, 68 Commercial St Building C - Floor 2, Portland, ME 04101

Companies and institutions that are supporting the networking experience

NEOC - New England Ocean Cluster

null

The New England Ocean Cluster's mission is to create value in the Blue Economy by discovering new opportunities for sustainable growth through connecting purpose-driven people and organizations.

The Hús, (Icelandic for House), now serves as the backbone for much of the NEOC's collaborative programming and an exciting gathering place for those active in the Blue Economy.

World Wildlife Fund

null

As the world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in nearly 100 countries. At every level, they collaborate with people around the world to develop and deliver innovative solutions that protect communities, wildlife, and the places in which they live. Together with partners at all levels, they transform markets and policies toward sustainability, tackle the threats driving the climate crisis, and protect and restore wildlife and their habitats.

FocusMaine

null

FocusMaine is a statewide economic development organization that works to create quality jobs and build a thriving workforce. With an emphasis on innovation and future readiness, FocusMaine works in partnerships to accelerate Maine’s food economy and bioeconomy. Together, they are generating opportunity and prosperity for Maine’s people, businesses, and communities.

Atlantic Sea Farms

null

Atlantic Sea Farms is a women-run, mission-driven, vertically integrated, regenerative seaweed aquaculture company.

They are dedicated to making a powerful and positive impact on the health of customers and our oceans by creating craveable and innovative products made from sustainably farmed sea greens, all while expanding opportunities for coastal communities in the face of climate change.