OCEANS '13 MTS/IEEE San Diego to be the Largest Ocean Conference in U.S. History

More than a dozen professional and academic societies are coming together for OCEANS '13 MTS/IEEE San Diego, An Ocean in Common. The conference is scheduled for September 23-26 with many side activities taking place before, during, and after the event, making it the largest and most comprehensive ocean science and engineering gathering in U.S. history.

The sponsoring societies are the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society (IEEE-OES) and the Marine Technology Society (MTS). Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has been announced as the OCEANS '13 MTS/IEEE San Diego academic host. Participating societies include: AGU Ocean Sciences (AGU-OS), Acoustical Society of America (ASA), The Oceanography Society (TOS), Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), American Fisheries Society (AFS), the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the Association of Dive Contractors (ADC), and others.

According to conference chairman Robert Wernli, the world's leading scientists, engineers, and technologists will be attending to participate in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of MTS, the 45th for the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society, and the 110th anniversary of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. 

"Scripps Institution of Oceanography is proud to be academic host of An Ocean in Common," said Doug Bartlett, a professor of marine microbiology and chair of the Education Department at Scripps. "This historical gathering couldn't be more timely as Scripps celebrates its 110th anniversary during the conference. Our oceans, 70 percent of Earth's surface, require our collective intelligence and attention as never before and Scripps is proud to be a collaborator in this vital gathering of scientists, engineers, and the community."

This international conference is a major forum for scientists, engineers, ocean professionals and enthusiasts to gather and exchange their knowledge and ideas. An Ocean in Common features a day of tutorials, multiple tracks of technical sessions, student poster competition, keynote speakers, receptions, public exhibit halls, and a banquet on the USS Midway aircraft carrier in San Diego Bay. In addition, a two-night film festival and weekend golf tourney will kick off the week's activities. Other side events offered include local diving, and visits to the many attractions that make San Diego one of the world's most popular destinations.

Today it was announced that a second exhibit hall has been opened, due to popular demand.