The following is the text of a news release from the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME):
(ALEXANDRIA, Va.) — With an enhanced program and schedule of events designed to attract a wider cross-section of industry professionals, the inaugural SNAME Maritime Convention, held Oct. 20-26 at Hyatt Regency Houston in Houston, exceeded expectations, attracting over 1,000 attendees, including 258 students from around the world.
Earlier this year, SNAME announced that it was changing the name of its annual industry event from the SNAME Annual Meeting & Expo to the SNAME Maritime Convention.
“This first SNAME Maritime Convention was an exciting time for me. What was most uplifting was the high number of student members attending from our 34 student sections around the globe. These young people displayed a passion for our profession that raised the level of enthusiasm for all attendees,” said SNAME President Peter G. Noble.
Highlights from the SNAME 2014 Maritime Convention:
• Three days of exceptional peer reviewed papers, panel discussions and cutting-edge T&R sessions.
• The first National Shipbuilding Research Program Expo, with demos and displays from over 20 NSRP project teams including Mobile Robotic Manufacturing System, All-Platform LED Lighting, Fiber Optic Installation and Acceptance Criteria, Welder Training via Intelligent Video Tools, Paperless Paint QA System, Design for Maintenance and Repair, and Product Model Drive Weld Management.
• Innovation sessions and demonstrations throughout the Expo Hall and technical program.
• New short courses on Global Analysis, Aluminum Ship Structures and High Performance Marine Craft.
• New topical breakfasts that highlighted important emerging issues for the industry including ship recycling, the new U.S. Navy model testing facility and the importance of cost and risk considerations in ship design and operations.
• Student program featuring design competition among student teams; Job, Scholarship, and Graduate School Fair; and industry roundtable discussions.
• SNAME annual banquet with presentation of medals and awards, including the David W. Taylor Medal to Howard Fireman; the Vice Admiral “Jerry” Land Medal to David Rathburn; the Davidson Medal to Professor Jorgen Jensen; and the William M. Kennedy Award to Albert L. Bossier Jr.
• The awards luncheon included the Elmer L. Hann Award, the ABS-Linnard Prize, the Vice Admiral E.L. Cochrane Award, the Faculty Advisor of the Year, the Dr. James A. Lisnyk Ship Design Competition, SNAME/MarAd Student Design Competition winners, Worldwide Ferry Safety Association Awards, 14 other Student Paper Awards, 50-year memberships, certificates of appreciation, distinguished service awards, 10 newly elected fellows, top recruiters and the 2013-2014 super sections.
• Sixth annual SNAME Cup sailing regatta and seventh annual golf tournament.
The 2015 SNAME Maritime Convention will be held in conjunction with the World Maritime Technology Conference, Nov. 3-7, 2015, at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, R.I.
SNAME is an internationally recognized nonprofit, technical, professional society of individual members serving the maritime and offshore industries and their suppliers. Founded in 1893, the society comprises over 6,000 individuals throughout the world. Membership is open to all qualified applicants. For more information in joining SNAME or renewing your membership, visit www.sname.org. For contributions to the society, visit www.sname.org/educationoptions/scholarships.
