This wasn't just another conference! By bringing together leading businesses, universities, research institutions, funders, and navigators, the Summit catalysed projects, fostered collaboration, and sparked innovation on a scale never seen before.

Watch the event video ↓

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The inaugural Summit – co-hosted by Moananui and Nelson Regional Development Agency – was designed as a convergence and activation event, aimed at bringing people together to actively facilitate innovation and commercialisation in unprecedented ways.
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Emceed by Edmund Hillary Fellow Doug Steiner, speakers and panellists included a variety of the blue economy’s top researchers, CEOs, and innovators of change.

The event included fast-fire presentations from AUT, University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, Victoria University, Lincoln University, the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Cawthron Institute, NIWA and Plant & Food Research.

There were panel discussions on public/private, commercial and financial partnerships featuring a huge range of expertise from across the blue economy ecosystem including; SnapCore, Kernohan Engineering, Ngāti Rārua, NZ Food Innovation Network, NTZE, Westpac, BioPacific Partners and more.

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The event was a success with over 175 attendees, 400+ post-event actions and 1000+ connections made.
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Jenny Marcroft, Parliamentary Undersecretary to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries reflected on the event, saying "I commend your on-going efforts for bringing together people with shared goals and interests. It is through such forums that opportunities will develop into ventures and bring about social and economic benefits while also preserve the health of our seas for generations to come"
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The Summit was also followed by a regional Showcase Day on the Friday, inviting Summit guests to join a Moananui partners at their facilities to get firsthand insights and deepen their connections across the Nelson Tasman blue economy.
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Based on the measurable outcomes and participant feedback, we are proud to confirm the Summit will take place again in 2025. Keep an eye out in early 2025 for details and registration. See you there!

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To read more about the 2024 Innovation Summit, click below to download the Seafood NZ magazine and turn to page 8.