On November 18, 2022, the Florida Ocean Alliance hosted a luncheon and program focused on Florida’s vital blue economy. Leaders in the maritime industries, research and academia, and NGOs gathered to discuss building a sustainable future for Florida’s marine businesses and ocean and coastal resources.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Charles Colgan, Director of Research, Center for the Blue Economy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Ocean and Coastal Economics presented an in-depth overview of the size and distribution of the Florida marine economy, trends in the U.S. and Florida, and the state-of-the-art in ocean accounting, including new ocean-related sectors and the value of ecosystem services. Guest speakers Anya Freeman and Dr. Pierre-Philippe Beaujean presented new technologies that expand the boundaries of the blue economy.

The Florida Ocean Alliance and hosts Royal Caribbean Cruises, Port Everglades and Port Everglades Association were joined by representatives of our sponsors LaPorta Contracting, Port Tampa Bay, Miami-Dade County, NSU Halmos College of Arts & Sciences, and many sponsors and friends for networking, presentations, a luncheon and silent auction aboard Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas.

The Florida Ocean Alliance Board of Directors and staff thank all sponsors, contributors and guests for their support, which allows FOA to continue its work to protect Florida's marine and coastal assets and build a sustainable future for our blue economy.

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Contributors