This fall, the global marine and freshwater technology community will gather in Chicago for OCEANS 2025 Great Lakes, sponsored by the Marine Technology Society and the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society. The conference theme is “New Horizons in Blue Tech: Bridging Knowledge and Innovation,” as the Great Lakes region serves as a bridge for two nations, the U.S. and Canada, to the sea.

From September 29 to October 2, at Navy Pier, this year’s event offers four days of learning, discovery and connection—all set against the backdrop of Lake Michigan and the largest freshwater system on Earth.

A Comprehensive Technical Program

From ocean robotics and remote sensing to climate modeling and underwater acoustics, the OCEANS 2025 technical program brings together experts from industry, government, and academia to explore the latest innovations in marine and freshwater science. Attendees can expect robust technical sessions, interactive tutorials, and engaging town halls focused on everything from AI in glider operations to indigenous-led monitoring programs in the Great Lakes region.

Live On-Water Demonstrations: A First for OCEANS

New for 2025, participants will enjoy live on-water demonstrations just steps from the exhibit hall at Navy Pier Marina. Organizations such as ECHO81, R2Sonic, Teledyne, and Unique Group will showcase cutting-edge autonomous vehicles, hydrographic survey equipment, and real-time sonar technologies—giving attendees a firsthand look at innovation in action.

Plenaries, Networking and Professional Development

Each day includes dynamic plenary sessions featuring thought leaders tackling critical topics in marine sustainability, policy and engineering. From student poster competitions to specialized luncheons for early-career professionals and women in science and engineering, the program offers opportunities for career growth, collaboration, and mentorship.

Evening Events and Exhibits

Networking continues into the evening with receptions, mixers, and social events that foster connections across disciplines. The exhibit hall will host more than 70 exhibitors from around the world, showcasing the latest tools, platforms, and solutions in the marine and freshwater sectors.

Key Dates and Highlights:

• September 29: Tutorials, student poster orientation, icebreaker reception and student mixer.
• September 30 to October 2: Plenary sessions, technical programming, live demos, exhibitor receptions and more.
• October 2: Final plenary, student awards and IEEE Women in Engineering luncheon.

Whether you’re an ocean engineer, policy leader, data scientist, or student, OCEANS 2025 Great Lakes offers unmatched access to the people, projects, and technologies shaping the future of the blue economy.

Learn more and register at: https://greatlakes25.oceansconference.org.