From Ocean Potential to Ocean Performance
Experience the Full Summit — $350
Includes conference access, breakfast, lunch, and Pre-Summit Welcome Reception
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Turning Ocean Potential
into Performance
The blue economy is entering a period of significant opportunity. Across Canada and around the world, new investment, technologies, policies, and partnerships are creating new possibilities for sustainable growth across ocean industries.
Held annually, the Sustainable Blue Economy Summit brings together the people and systems that help turn those opportunities into real-world impact. By connecting capital, policy, innovation, partnerships, and workforce, SBES creates a space to explore what is emerging, what is scaling, and what is needed to move the blue economy forward.
Sustainable Blue Economy Summit 2026
September 18 | 8:30 AM–5:00 PM | Halifax, NS
Thank You for Joining Us!
The Sustainable Blue Economy Summit 2026 has officially wrapped up. In Halifax, leaders, innovators, and changemakers came together to share ideas and advance conversations around sustainability, technology, inclusion, and workforce development across Canada’s ocean sector.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the Summit a success. Stay tuned for more OAC events, opportunities, and ways to stay connected.
Featured Speakers from SBES 2026
Hear from government leaders, innovators, investors, researchers, and industry experts shaping the future of Canada.
Full Conference Pass — $350
Access to the full-day conference on September 18, 2026, plus breakfast and lunch.
BONUS: Pre-Summit Welcome Reception (September 17, 2026) included with your ticket.
BONUS: Pre-Summit Welcome Reception (September 17, 2026) included with your ticket.
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Elements Room, The Westin | The evening will be held indoors, with access to the patio, weather permitting
Pre-Summit Welcome Reception
Kick things off the night before the summit with a casual Welcome Reception designed to bring people together. We’ll start with a short keynote to get everyone thinking about the opportunities ahead, and have our team on hand to share more about the EP and SBEP specializations and what it can mean for your career.
It’s a relaxed setting, grab a drink, connect with other attendees, and ease into the event. If the weather’s good, we’ll open things up outside so you can get some fresh air and keep the conversations going.
A simple way to meet the community, ask questions, check in and get a head start before SBES officially begins.
Group Discounts: Planning to attend with your team or organization? We offer group discounts for eligible registrations. Please contact our Sales team to discuss pricing and available options.
1
Day to transform ambition into actionable results
10+
Expert-led sessions driving actionable outcomes
20+
Industry-leading speakers
3
Major networking opportunities
What This Summit Delivers
A high-level forum connecting the systems that drive the blue economy.
Insight
Understand how global ocean industries are scaling from early-stage innovation to competitive sectors.
Clarity
Gain a clear view of how capital, policy, and innovation align to enable sustainable growth.
Connections
Build relationships with cross-sector leaders, partners, and decision-makers.
Impact
Learn what it takes to move from ambition to measurable, real-world results.
2026 Agenda Highlights
8:50 AM – 9:05 AM
The Honourable Senator Iris Petten’s Keynote Address
Senator Iris Petten will share her perspective on the future of Canada’s ocean sector, reflecting on the role of leadership, public policy, and regional strengths in supporting long-term growth. Her address will highlight the opportunities ahead and the importance of working together to ensure Canada’s oceans continue to benefit communities, industry, and future generations.
Speaker:
The Honourable Iris Petten
Senate of Canada
9:10 AM – 9:30 AM
Opening Keynote | The Trillion Dollar Ocean: From Global Opportunity to Ocean Performance
Hari Balasubramanian, Founding and Managing Partner of EcoAdvisors, will explore how the global blue economy is evolving from vision to action. Drawing on international experience, he will examine where investment is flowing, what leading regions are doing differently, and where Canada is well positioned to strengthen its role in the next phase of ocean economy growth.
Speaker:
Hari Balasubramanian
Founder | EcoAdvisors
9:35 AM – 10:25 AM
Panel | Where Innovation Meets Industry
Canada is home to world-class ocean innovation, but moving new technologies from development to widespread adoption remains a challenge. This discussion brings together technology developers and industry leaders to explore where adoption is gaining traction, what barriers remain, and how collaboration can accelerate implementation across Canada’s blue economy.
Speakers:
Levi Morrison
Director of Innovation | COVE
Steven Myers
VP Partnerships | Foresight Canada
Ashley Noseworthy
CEO & Founder | Edgewise Environmental | Board Member | Oceans Advance & BECAB
10:40 AM – 11:35 AM
Panel | Models, Markets & Mechanisms for Financing Ocean-Based Solutions
Turning promising ideas into thriving ocean industries requires more than innovation—it requires the right capital, markets, and investment models. This panel will explore the investment models, funding mechanisms, and market opportunities that are helping accelerate the development and deployment of ocean-based solutions.
Speakers:
Kevin Nilsen
CEO | ECO Canada
Akash Rastogi
Chief Capital Strategy Officer | Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
Rosalie Dapra
VP of Sustainability Advisory & Finance | Bank of Canada Capital Markets
Hamish Stewart
Director of Market Building Initiatives | Nature Investment Hub
2:05 PM – 2:45 PM
Panel | Scaling Ocean Climate Industries from Research to Deployment
Ocean climate industries are emerging as a key driver of both climate action and economic growth. This discussion brings together leaders from research, industry, and government to explore what it will take to move promising solutions from research and innovation to large-scale deployment.
Speakers:
Dr. Aseel Takshe
Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Digital Innovation and Sustainability | Canadian University Dubai
Dr. Erin Bertrand
Acting Scientific Director & CEO | Ocean Frontier Institute
Will Burt
VP of Science and Product | Planetary Technologies
The Summit is structured around the core drivers required to turn ocean ambition into measurable results. Each area reflects how the global blue economy is moving from potential to performance.
Our Attendees
From ocean innovators and Indigenous organizations to policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry leaders, the Sustainable Blue Economy Summit brought together the people shaping the future of the global blue economy.
Explore who this event is designed for and discover how SBES can help you connect, collaborate, and lead.
- Ocean & Marine Industry
- Non-Profits & NGOs
- Investors & Funders
- Ports & Transportation
- Fisheries & Aquaculture
- Government & Policy
- Indigenous Communities & Organizations
- Researchers & Academia
- Offshore Energy & Infrastructure
- Ocean Innovation & Clean Technology
Discover the Innovation Showcase
Where Ocean Solutions Take the Stage
At every SBES, we host an Innovation Stage that puts emerging ideas and technologies in front of the people shaping the blue economy. It brings together startups, researchers, and industry innovators to showcase practical solutions, connect with decision-makers and investors, and build visibility across the sector.
- Live Innovation Presentations
- Exhibitor Visibility
- Industry Networking
- People’s Choice Award
At the Heart of Canada’s Ocean Economy
SBES 2026 was hosted at the Westin Nova Scotian on the Halifax waterfront, SBES takes place in one of Canada’s most important ocean economy hubs, close to the people, organizations, and industries driving the sector forward.
Parking Information
Parking is available at The Westin on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to availability. Rates are subject to change.
Self-Parking
- Hotel guests: $4.00 + taxes per hour, up to a maximum of $28.00 + taxes per day, per vehicle
- Non-hotel guests: $4.00 + taxes per hour, up to a maximum of $40.00 + taxes per day
Valet Parking
- $35.00 + taxes per day
Availability is limited, and all rates are subject to change without notice.
Accommodations
We’re pleased to offer Sustainable Blue Economy Summit attendees a preferred accommodation rate at the Four Points by Sheraton Halifax.
The special event rate is available for the night of September 17, 2026, and can be booked online until August 18, 2026, subject to availability.
Staying at the preferred hotel is a convenient way to be close to the summit venue and connect with fellow attendees.
Need additional nights? If you plan to arrive earlier or extend your stay, you can book extra nights through Marriott’s website (subject to availability).
An Ocean Alliance Canada Ecosystem Event
Presented through Ocean Alliance Canada (OAC), a national initiative developed by ECO Canada, the Summit connects leaders advancing the global blue economy.
Through its work aligning standards, tools, and partnerships, OAC brings this ecosystem together to improve coordination and accelerate progress across ocean industries.
The Sustainable Blue Economy Summit is an annual event developed by ECO Canada to convene leaders nationally and internationally to discuss emerging trends, solutions, workforce and more. The first event was in 2024 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the second annual event in 2025 was in partnership with the Caribbean Maritime University in Kingston, Jamaica.
The Summit will take place on September 18, 2026 at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Registration will open at 7:30 am, and the Summit will run from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Business attire is recommended for all attendees.
The presentations and panels will be in English, however live translation will be available through the Wordly AI app.
Yes. We’ve secured a preferred accommodation rate at the Four Points by Sheraton Halifax for attendees of the Summit. Click here to view the booking details and reserve your room before the August 18, 2026 deadline.
For any additional questions please contact info@oceanalliancecanada.ca
There will be photography and/or filming at this event and your image may be captured by us and used for our business and promotional purposes, in printed publications, videos, and/or on our website. By registering for the event you are giving us your permission to use your image in this way. If you have any queries about this, however, please email events@eco.ca