Norfolk, Va. -- Commercial Marine Expo will open Wednesday, June 22, with a sold-out exhibit floor, plus ships and boats on the facility's pier and docks. Exhibitors representing 255 companies will display the latest products and technology for commercial marine, commercial fishing, military and government maritime operators. CME is being held at the Half Moone Cruise Cruise Ship Terminal, adjacent to the Nauticus Maritime Museum in downtown Norfolk.
"We've been overwhelmed with the response to CME Norfolk on all fronts," reports Ted Hugger, show director. "Key associations and organizations, including the Virginia and Maryland Watermen's Associations, the Virginia Port Authority, Virginia Maritime Association, Virginia Ship Repair Association, and the International Propeller Club, have generated incredible awareness and enthusiasm for CME throughout the mid-Atlantic maritime industries.
Exhibitors run the gamut, from all major engine manufacturers to suppliers of propulsion gear, electronics, coatings, and safety gear. The show will encompass all 80,000 square-feet of both levels of the waterfront terminal building.
Commercial Marine Expo runs Wednesday and Thursday, with registration opening at 8 a.m. each day. The exhibit halls are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday. Registration is required and is open to anyone involved in the commercial marine and port operation industries.
"The industry is just aching for a commercial marine show in Norfolk," says Kerry Thompson, head of business development for Mack Boring & Parts, a CME exhibitor. "Already there's a lot of business in the region. Now, with all the talk of developing wind power and oil and gas drilling off the East Coast, we expect the offshore business in the region to get a big boost in coming years."
Furuno USA's Matt Wood echoes Thompson's enthusiasm for CME. "Norfolk is a great spot for Commercial Marine Expo. There's lots of commercial and marine traffic through Hampton Roads. Norfolk represents a diverse and business-rich environment for us. It's a junction of six major markets: the medium commercial markets like work boats and tugs, deep-sea commercial, U.S. Government-Coast Guard and Navy, specialty markets like the Virginia and Maryland pilot boats, commercial fishing and high-end recreational marine like sportfishermen. With all of the activity in Hampton Roads, there's no question of the area's appeal for a trade show. It's a great spot."
Highlights of the show include:
In-water Vessels -- Vessels on display at CME include the USCGC Staten Island, a 110-foot Wesport Global Response Cutter (an entirely composite-built boat), a 164-foot crane barge, plus a NOAA research boat, Gladding-Hearn's new Maryland pilot boat, and commercial boats from Moose Boats, Metal Shark, Volvo Penta, and Brunswick.
Maritime Job Fair -- The Military Sealift Command is sponsoring a half-day (Thursday, noon-4 p.m.) job fair at CME 2011. Employers will meet with prospective employees to accept resumes and discuss career opportunities with their firms. This is a unique opportunity for professionals seeking to transition from the military to the private sector, individuals interested in making the move from one maritime segment to another, or simply for those looking for the next rung up on their career ladder.
Free Seminars -- CME seminars are produced exclusively by the editors of Commercial Fisheries News and Professional Mariner magazine and are sponsored by the Tidewater Community College SMART Center. Seminars are free to all registered attendees.
Seminar sessions include The Menhaden Fishery ... Issues, Challenges and the Future; Classing Fishing Vessels -- New Regulations; The Maritime Job Market: 2011 and Beyond; Maritime Employment Opportunities, Maritime Training; and Virginia Offshore Wind - the Business of Growing Local Maritime Commerce and Jobs.
Mid-Atlantic Watermen's Congress -- Four commercial fishing associations and watermen from North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware will convene the first-ever Mid-Atlantic Watermen's Congress at Commercial Marine Expo. Participants will discuss their shared issues including repowering with clean engines, industry public relations and outreach, catch shares, and fisheries/stock management and regulation. The Congress is open to individuals interested in the sustainability and growth of the mid-Atlantic commercial fishery and related industries. The Congress runs from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, prior to the opening of the exhibit halls.
Exhibitor Workshops -- Information-packed sessions will be presented by industry experts on a variety of timely commercial marine topics. Exhibiting companies will host workshops to explain and demonstrate innovative products and systems that will improve productivity and efficiency. Exhibitor workshops are free to all registered attendees.
CME Theater -- A variety of compelling commercial marine and commercial fishing videos will be presented during show hours in the CME Theater. The theater is produced by Kaltenbach Productions and sponsored by Commercial Fisheries News.
Admission to CME 2011 is free to qualified industry professionals. For additional information or schedules, visit www.comarexpo.com.
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