U.S. offshore wind industry leaders will convene in New Orleans in two weeks for the International Partnering Forum (IPF), the largest offshore wind conference in the Americas. Hosted by Oceantic Network April 22-25 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, IPF will convene key decision makers, stakeholders, and industry to discuss the future of offshore wind in the U.S. as it begins construction on several new commercial-scale projects, tackles the adoption of floating offshore wind on both the East and West Coasts, and identifies the challenges and opportunities in building out a robust domestic supply chain.  

In addition to nearly 100 sessions, nine official networking receptions, and the U.S. premiere of the documentary Planet Wind, a highlight of 2024 IPF will be the Plenary Session on Wednesday, April 24. IPF attendees will hear remarks from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk, best-selling author Dan Gardner, NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris, Oceantic Network CEO Liz Burdock, and more (full list below).

During the Plenary, Bloomberg Reporter Josh Saul will moderate a panel that will examine the offshore wind industry’s transition from planning to execution as the first U.S. commercial-scale projects get turbines in the water. Following the panel, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will deliver remarks, providing an overview of the Department of the Interior and Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts to secure a robust domestic supply chain and labor agreements that benefit local communities and a national supply chain.

"Since the U.S. offshore wind industry’s inception just over a decade ago, IPF has been a key event to foster collaboration and problem solving across the supply chain,” said Liz Burdock, founder and CEO of Oceantic Network. “As the industry evolves to meet new opportunities, Oceantic Network has expanded to support bold new endeavors such as a greater focus on floating offshore wind and the co-location of offshore wind with other ocean renewables. This year’s IPF will host discussions and foster connections that drive our industry into the future.” 

For the first time, IPF will host the FloatON Summit on Wednesday, April 24, and Thursday, April 25. The first-ever Summit will focus on knowledge sharing, best practices, and innovations required for the U.S. to implement floating offshore wind along the East and West Coasts. The FloatON Summit will draw on the expertise of IPF attendees and convene the best and brightest minds to explain the market conditions, policy enablers, and financial and insurance mechanisms necessary to make floating offshore wind technology competitive and realize commercialization in the United States.

“As the offshore wind industry builds momentum in the U.S. it will be critical that partners across the value chain are aligned and working towards the same goals,” said Sam Eaton, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind Holdings, LLC. “Oceantic Network plays a crucial role in facilitating the information-sharing and relationship-building that will ensure we are successful in fostering a sustainable long-term offshore wind industry. RWE is proud to support the Oceantic Network’s 2024 International Partnering Forum in New Orleans, in a region with an existing offshore energy supply chain, workforce, and port infrastructure that will play an essential role in American offshore wind energy.”

This year’s IPF is on track to welcome thousands of industry professionals from around the globe, all focused on sharing valuable insights and making connections to move the emerging U.S. wind industry forward. Attendees will have access to nearly 400 exhibitors in the Exhibit Hall, more than 350 experts speaking on the latest developments, projects, and products moving the offshore wind industry and its supply chain forward, and a range of networking opportunities, including WindMatch one-on-one appointments and Tuesday’s IPF Opening Reception.  

“IPF is a positive force for the U.S. offshore wind industry, fostering the collaboration needed between developers, policymakers, and suppliers,” said Andrew Cooper, regional director of offshore wind at Fugro. “That’s the magic of IPF: bringing the right people together to move the energy transition forward. As a proud host sponsor of this year’s conference, Fugro is excited to help lead this essential industry dialogue.”

IPF Week Highlights: April 22-25 
Presented by the Oceantic Network
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70130

Access the full schedule online.

For press credentials, register online here. 
Host sponsors for 2024 IPF are bp, Fugro, RWE, and Shell.

April 22

Local Offshore Wind Industry Tours
All Day

Bayou Lafourche Port and Offshore Training Tour

Morgan City’s Offshore Expertise Tour - From Ports to Shipbuilding

Beach to Blade Tour: Offshore Wind Research and Innovation

U.S. Offshore Wind Market Update: Benefits of Regional Supply Chain Collaboration
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This session will be a comprehensive introduction to the U.S. market. Panelists will provide a broad summary of the sector, discussing both hurdles and opportunities. Additionally, officials from multiple federal government agencies and nearly 10 U.S. states will present insights on their unique initiatives. The day will close with a panel featuring members of the Network’s new West Coast Supplier Council.

April 23

U.S. Offshore Wind Workforce Summit

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

U.S. Offshore Wind Standards Initiative

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Opens
1 p.m.

April 24

Plenary Session

 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 

Welcome Remarks

 Liz Burdock, President & CEO, Oceantic Network

Keynote Presentation

Dan Gardner, Best-Selling Author, "How Big Things Get Done” 

Keynote Remarks
Doreen Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA 

Keynote Remarks

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk 

Panel Introduction

Amanda Dasch, Vice President of Renewable Generation Americas – Shell Energy Americas

Panel - The Next Chapter: Taking U.S. Offshore Wind from Planning to Construction

Céline B. Gerson, President and Group Director Americas, Fugro; Joris Veldhoven, CEO, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind; Joshua Weinstein, President, Offshore Wind Americas, bp; Amanda Lefton, Vice President of Development, U.S. East, RWE; moderated by Bloomberg Reporter Josh Saul

Keynote Remarks

 U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland

FloatON Summit

2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

April 25

Regional Breakfast Briefings

8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

FloatON Summit: Day 2

9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Oceantic Network | https://oceantic.org/