Oceans In Action and Advanced Naval Technology Exercise Coming to the Mississippi Coast

Biloxi, Mississippi – August 21, 2025 – Oceans In Action (OIA) 2025 will take place at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center from August 26-28. OIA is hosted by the Marine Technology Society (MTS) Gulf Coast Section and the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology and is the Gulf Coast’s premier showcase for the latest in marine science and technology. Attendees will discover cutting-edge advancements designed for applications across government, research, and commercial industry.

This in-person event features presentations on how Gulf Coast marine science and technology research is being used to solve real-world problems. This year, OIA is partnering with the Navy’s Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) to highlight the latest innovations being tested by the Navy. The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC) at Stennis Space Center partners with other federal agencies—particularly the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—as well as universities, and private industry to conduct tests in realistic operational scenarios.

Event partner Gulf Blue Navigator will highlight companies from past cohorts that were introduced to operations taking place along the Gulf Coast and may be seeking to establish a presence in the region. The Gulf Blue Navigator, a program of the University of Southern Mississippi Research Foundation, is a four-month blended program that provides companies with unique access to expertise, collaboration, research, testing, light manufacturing, funding, and physical infrastructure.

This year’s event will also include presentations from local federal agencies detailing their missions and future needs, as well as exhibits by companies looking to begin or expand their offerings to local agencies. A Business-to-Business/Business-to-Government networking session will connect attendees and businesses seeking innovative technologies.

MTS Gulf Coast Section Co-Chairs Katharine Weathers and Brandy Armstrong invite you to cover the Oceans In Action Workshop and highlight the following parts of the program:

• Welcome Reception - August 26 (5:30-7:30 PM) sponsored by Mississippi Power | IP Casino, Magnolia Ballroom A
• ANTX Vignette Displays (open to the public) - August 26 (1:00-5:00 PM); August 27 (8:00 AM-5:00 PM); August 28 (8:00 AM-1:00 PM)
• RDML Erin Acosta, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and Dr. Joe Calantoni, Technical Director, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command - August 28 (9:00 AM) | Convention Center Ballroom A
• Naval Oceanography and University of Mississippi Educational Partnership Agreement Signing - August 28 (approx. 10:00 AM) | Convention Center Ballroom A
• Business-to-Business/Business-to-Government Session - August 28 (1:00-5:30 PM) | Convention Center Ballroom A

Local Points of Contact: MTS Gulf Coast Section: Laurie Jugan | 985.640.1681 &ANTX/Navy: LT Billy Petkovski | 228.688.4384 or 228.342.3703