Detailed Agenda
Ocean Floor Explore
Monday, October 27, 2025 | Victoria Conference Centre
Earth’s Final Frontier
0900 - 0930h - WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONSTim Kearns | MAP THE GAPS
Paul Nursey | DESTINATION GREATER VICTORIA
Jason Goldworthy | COAST
0930 - 1030h - KEYNOTE SPEAKERSMoronke Harris | THE IMAGINATIVE SCIENTIST
NETWORKING BREAK | main foyer
Challenges and Costs of Ocean Floor Exploration
1100 - 1200 - PRESENTATIONS & PANELMODERATOR: Jennifer Jencks | NOAA
Larry Mayer | UNH-CCOM
Vicki Ferrini | LAMONT / SEABED2030
Brian Connon | SAILDRONE
Shep Smith | XOCEAN
The Value of Exploration (& the data)
1200 - 1230h - PRESENTATIONSMODERATOR: Jennifer Jencks | NOAA
Shannon Hoy | SEIRIOS SOLUTIONS
Pip Bricher | GEOSCIENCES AUSTRALIA
Special Video Presentation | UNITED KINGDOM HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE
NETWORKING LUNCH | main foyer
Funding Ocean Floor Exploration
1330 - 1500h - PRESENTATIONS & PANELMODERATOR: David Millar | FUGRO
Damon Stanwell-Smith | VIKING CRUISES
Jyotika Virmani | SCHMIDT OCEAN INSTITUTE
Tim Kearns | MAP THE GAPS
NETWORKING BREAK & COFFEE | main foyer
Reaching the Funders - Communication Approaches
1530 - 1630 - PANELMODERATOR: Sophie Silkes | COAST
Natalie Gilson | PISCES RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Robyn Meyer | OCEAN NETWORKS CANADA
Heather Mannix | COMPASS
Closing Remarks
1630 - 1715h - PRESENTATIONSJamie McMichael-Philips | SEABED 2030
Courtney Brady | MAP THE GAPS
NETWORKING RECEPTION | main foyer | 1730 - 2100h
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | Victoria Conference Centre
Exploring Ocean Technology
0900 - 0915h - WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONSTim Kearns | MAP THE GAPS
0915 - 1015h - KEYNOTE SPEAKERSVictor Vescovo | CALADAN OCEANIC
Ocean Startup Project - Activator Annoucement
1015 - 1030h - ANNOUNCEMENT & AWARDSWinners! | OCEAN STARTUP PROJECT
NETWORKING BREAK & COFFEE | main foyer
Breaking through Barriers with New Technology
1100 - 1230 - PRESENTATIONS & PANELMODERATOR: Larry Mayer | UNH-CCOM
Victoria Price-Doucet | STRATESEA
Pat Jennings | TERRADEPTH
Bridgit Boulahanis | BEDROCK OCEAN EXPLORATION
Eric Jackson | CELLULA ROBOTICS
Jake Russell | ORPHEUS OCEAN
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN | beautiful downtown Victoria
OCEAN TECH LIVE | Ship Point
Come see ocean exploration and other innovative blue economy tech on a drop-in basis. Drinks, warm tents and information will be on the wharf and in the water.
1400 - 1700h | 812 Wharf Street
ASPIRATIONAL FUNDING MECHANISMS FOR GLOBAL OCEAN FLOOR MAPPING & EXPLORATION | Victoria Conference Centre (Room TBD)
Join us for a workshop hosted by GEBCO and Map the Gaps to build on the themes of Day 1 of Ocean Floor Explore and explore new communities that can integrate with GEBCO and the funding mechanisms to achieve this global initiative.
Phillips Brewing | 2000 Government Street, Victoria
1730h - 2030h
Blue Robotics, Map the Gaps, and COAST welcome you to join us for an evening of food, drinks, friends, and conversation at the Ocean Floor Explore blueTIDES Closing Party!
Hosted by Blue Robotics, this event is included with your registration and will offer an opportunity to connect, share, and collaborate with fellow ocean enthusiasts in a local and loved Victoria haunt.
Bring your questions, hype, and big ideas, and have a drink on us!