2020 BlueTech Expo Will Co-Locate with Capitol Hill Ocean Week

BTE20 exhibition and OceanSocial networking reception will run concurrently with CHOW.

The International Ocean Science & Technology Industry Association (IOSTIA) today announced a game changing development for marine technology events.



Starting in 2020, IOSTIA’s growing BlueTech Expo annual conference and exhibition (BTE), and the highly regarded Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) will be co-located in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC.

Richard Lawson, CEO of IOSTIA, remarked, “Co-locating these two important ocean-related events simply makes a mountain of sense. These events and organizations bring different things to their events – but as they ultimately all about the ocean, there is tremendous value in co-locating so everyone have a more complete ‘blue’ experience.”

BlueTech Expo exhibition and OceanSocial networking reception will run concurrently with CHOW on Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 with the innovative BTE Technical Sessions being held on Thursday, June 11th.

Lawson continued, “CHOW is the nation’s premier annual conference examining current marine public policy issues. The BlueTech Expo and its ‘OceanSocial’ has become the ‘go to’ ocean technology and science business and social event annually in Washington, DC; an opportunity for companies in the marine technology space to showcase their newest solutions to government organizations that utilize blue technologies, the military, industry innovators and technology leaders, researchers, and policy makers. It only makes sense to co-locate the events.”

The BTE20 and CHOW events will feature distinct, yet complimentary subject areas. BTE emphasizes current and emerging “blue technologies” through its exhibition and popular technical program. Both components are designed to stimulate innovation and encourage industry-to-government collaboration. Capitol Hill Ocean Week, hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, is a highly regarded conservation and public policy event drawing Members of Congress and staff, Administration officials, local and state government representatives, business executives, military officials, academic luminaries, and leaders in the nonprofit sector.

“I’m excited that the total event attendance will likely exceed 1,000 and our focus areas are so complimentary to one another,” continued Lawson. The OceanSocial networking event will immediately precede the immensely popular NOAA Fish Fry. “It’s like a happy hour kick-off before the Fish Fry, literally across the street. I hope that everyone will consider starting their evening at OceanSocial! All the aspects of the two events align so well and makes it so convenient for all attendees to take in everything CHOW and BTE have to offer!”

The International Ocean Science and Technology Industry Association (IOSTIA) is a Washington, DCbased 501(c)(6) industry association representing businesses that provide technology and services for sectors that sustainably and commercially utilize the oceans. IOSTIA provides benefits, programs services and a public policy voice that create new opportunities and encourage a favorable business environment for science and technology companies.


Location: Washington, DC., USA