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ST Conference Preview Oceans '12 MTS/IEEE Hampton Roads T he OCEANS '12 MTS/IEEE Hampton Roads conference will be held October 14 to 19 at the Virginia Beach Conven- tion Center in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Sponsored by the Ma- rine Tech nology Society (MTS) and the Oceanic Engineering Society of IEEE (IEEE/OES), the conference will showcase re- search and product develop- ment in ocean science and bring together maritime users, decision makers and technical experts to discuss and ad- dress a variety of industry issues. The conference theme, "Harnessing the Power of the Ocean," ties in to the U.S. National Ocean Policy and its goals, which were developed and proposed by the National Ocean Research Leadership Council in response to the U.S. Congress request to "propose a plan to achieve a truly inte- grated ocean observing system." Technical Programs and Events The conference schedule includes four days of techni- cal sessions and kicks off with keynote addresses by several speakers, including Kathryn D. Sullivan, deputy administra- tor of NOAA, and Donald C. Winter, former secretary of the U.S. Navy. OCEANS '12 will focus on emerging technolo- gies and several special topics, such as the development of a National Ocean Enterprise to address sea-level rise and what will be required to establish such an enterprise. As many as 200 technical sessions will feature more than 900 papers covering specific technical tracks, which include underwater acoustics and acoustical oceanography; sonar signal and image processing and communication; ocean-observing platforms, systems and instrumentation; remote sensing and ocean-data visualization; modeling and information management; marine environment; oceanog- raphy and meteorology; optics, imaging, vision and elec- tromagnetic systems; marine law; policy management and education; offshore structures and technology; and ocean vehicles and floating structures. Receptions and icebreakers will take place, as well as opportunities to network with marine technology users and developers. Participants can also attend preconference tu- torials, i.e., "Acoustic Seabed Classification with Multibeam and Side Scan Images and Storm Tides and Sea Level Change: A Tutorial on Water Levels," and technical work- shops on topics such as AUVs and marine spatial planning. Three days of exhibits will feature approximately 200 ex- hibitors, who will have an op- portunity to engage with an expanded and diverse maritime customer set, including the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA. Additionally, Old Dominion University will host Univer- sity Row, inviting colleges and universities to exhibit their oceans-related capabilities and to sponsor attendance of their students and faculty. Conference Venue Home to the largest naval base in the world and the third- largest port on the East Coast, Hampton Roads provides a location close to decision makers from the U.S. government, as well as its cultural and recreational assets. The Virginia Beach Convention Center is located less than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean. Hampton Roads, comprised of 10 independent cities and six counties in southeast Vir- ginia, is home to more than 1.7 million people and offers a rich maritime history and a diverse cross section of military, private and public sectors, and academia. Editor's Note Copies of this issue will be available at OCEANS '12 MTS/ IEEE Hampton Roads at the Sea Technology stand (booth 1302). For editorial or advertising questions, see Amos Buss- mann. Registration For registration, visit www.oceans12mtsieeehampton roads.org. n Exhibitors List The following list of exhibitors was updated as of press time: www.sea-technology.com SEPTEMBER 2012 / st 35