The Marine Technology Society partners with Ocean Business to bring its renowned hands-on event experience to Newport, Rhode Island, September 28–30, 2027 

Washington, D.C. — August 27, 2026 — The Marine Technology Society (MTS) is thrilled to announce a major new chapter for the U.S. ocean technology community: Ocean Business USA, coming to Newport, Rhode Island, September 28–30, 2027.  

MTS will partner with Ocean Business and Diversified Communications to bring one of the world’s leading hands-on ocean science and technology events to North America for the first time. This inaugural U.S. event will take place at Safe Harbor New England Boatworks and is expected to welcome more than 1,500 ocean technology professionals, 100+ exhibitors, and 75+ live demonstrations.  

For MTS, the partnership represents an exciting expansion of how the Society brings the marine technology community together. This partnership creates a new U.S. gathering centered on technology in action, meaningful technical exchange, and the connections that move the industry forward.  

“Ocean Business is a special event for the global marine technology community,” said Chris Ostrander, MTS Chief Executive Officer. “It’s a place where engineers, innovators, students, investors, and operators all show up to explore the leading edge of marine technology innovation. For MTS, it’s not just a trade show; it’s a working week on the water. Ocean Business is the perfect forum to watch sensors demonstrated dockside, discuss market dynamics with corporate leaders, get hands-on with new technologies, and facilitatethe collaborative collisions that drive partnerships forward. MTS has spent more than 60 years connecting the people who design, build, and advance marine and ocean technology—Ocean Business shares that DNA. We are excited to partner with the Diversified team to bring Ocean Business to the United States, and to expand the substantive technology engagement MTS and Ocean Business are known for." 

A Different Kind of Industry Gathering 

For more than 20 years, Ocean Business has built its reputation around a simple idea: marine technology is best understood when you can see it, experience it, and talk directly with the people building and using it. 

Ocean Business USA will bring that approach to the American ocean technology community through a three-day combination of exhibition, classroom training, industry networking, and live on-water demonstrations spanning ocean science and technology, maritime defense, autonomous systems, offshore energy, academia, and research.  

The waterfront setting at Safe Harbor New England Boatworks will allow attendees to move beyond the exhibition floor and see technologies operating in real-world conditions, with more than 75 demonstrations anticipated directly from the docks.  

“After 20 years of success in the UK, Ocean Business is the most popular ocean science and technology event in the world,” said Cheri Arvonio, Event Director for Diversified Communications. “Now, following several years of planning, our team is thrilled to bring Ocean Business to the United States, driven by growing demand from across the industry for the Ocean Business experience. We believe Ocean Business offers a different approach to traditional industry events, combining hands-on access to the latest marine technology with the casual, friendly atmosphere that has become our trademark, encouraging meaningful networking, conversation, and engagement.” 

Companies including Teledyne Marine, RBR, Sonardyne, Cellula Robotics, Marine Magnetics, OceanSight Group, and Subsea Supplies have already confirmed exhibit space. 

Why Rhode Island 

Newport places Ocean Business USA in the heart of one of the country’s most dynamic ocean technology ecosystems.  

Rhode Island brings together a significant concentration of ocean technology, maritime, and defense companies; world-class research and testing capabilities; deep-water maritime infrastructure; and proximity to the undersea defense cluster anchored by Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport.  

“The ocean is Rhode Island’s backyard, and our strong track record in maritime defense and marine industries is drawing international recognition,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Ocean Business’ decision to make Rhode Island the home of its first North American event is a powerful recognition of our state’s growing leadership in ocean technology—attracting companies, growing jobs, and advancing the technologies that are shaping the future of the Blue Economy.” 

“Rhode Island has often been called the ‘Silicon Valley’ of undersea technology,” said Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. “With a vibrant and innovative ecosystem of ocean technology, maritime, and defense companies, Rhode Island is demonstrating why it has earned that reputation. We are driving economic growth, attracting investment, creating jobs, and connecting companies across our state to new markets at home and around the world. We’re proud to be a hub for this growing industry, and we thank Ocean Business and MTS for choosing Rhode Island.”  

Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce, the Ocean Tech Hub, and the University of Rhode Island are supporting the event.  

Creating More Opportunities for the MTS Community 

For MTS, Ocean Business USA builds on the Society’s longstanding role as a convener, connector, and catalyst for the global ocean technology community. 

The event will create new opportunities for MTS members and the broader community to connect across sectors, share technical expertise, engage directly with emerging technologies, strengthen partnerships, and bring the next generation of ocean professionals into the conversation. 

Most importantly, it creates a gathering built around what has always been at the heart of MTS: the people and technologies advancing our ability to understand, operate in, and sustainably use the ocean.  

Save the date: September 28–30, 2027, in Newport, Rhode Island. 

Booth sales are now open, with early-bird rates available through October 30, 2026. To reserve exhibit space, contact [email protected].  

Additional information is available at OceanBusiness.us.  

About Ocean Business 
Ocean Business is a hands-on ocean technology exhibition and training forum owned and organized by Diversified Communications UK in partnership with the Society of Maritime Industries. Launched in 2007, the event is hosted at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, United Kingdom, and brings together ocean science and technology professionals from around the world. For more information, visit www.oceanbusiness.com. 

About the Marine Technology Society 
The Marine Technology Society (MTS) believes that advancements in the development and use of marine technologies are essential to support responsible and sustainable use of the ocean. Founded in 1963, MTS is an international professional society that provides members of academia, government, and industry a common forum for the exchange of information and ideas. MTS members are engineers, scientists, technologists, policymakers, and educators on the leading-edge of technology design and application. MTS members work within the full spectrum of ocean and subsea technologies that support sustainable ocean use, ranging from offshore energy to dynamic positioning, ocean robotics to buoys, and many more. 

Ocean Business Media Contact 
Pamela Johns 
Marketing Director 
Diversified Communications UK & Europe 
[email protected] 
+44 (0)1273 645 110 

MTS Media Contact 
Chelsea Bladow 
[email protected] 
+1 202 827 7172