Marine Renewables Spring Summit

Building the Supply Chain and Fostering Partnerships 

The Marine Renewables Spring Summit will bring together industry, suppliers, Indigenous partners, training institutions, and economic development leaders to focus on strengthening the marine renewables supply chain.  

As tidal and offshore wind activity accelerates in Atlantic Canada, the event will provide practical guidance, procurement insights, and actionable advice to help businesses and communities prepare for, participate in, and benefit from a growing marine renewables market.  

Beyond project readiness, the summit will highlight the importance of building durable partnerships that ensure local and Indigenous participation in the sector’s growth. Through collaboration, workforce development, and stronger connections between industry and community, the event aims to support a resilient, inclusive supply chain that delivers long-term economic benefits for the region and Canada.  

You can register at the bottom of the page.

Thank you to our sponsors!  

Event Sponsor 

AGENDA

9:00 am – 9:15 am  | Opening and Welcome  

Speakers:

• Elisa Obermann, Executive Director, Marine Renewables Canada 

• Marco MacLeod, Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Energy, Government of Nova Scotia

9:15 am – 10:15 am | Projects and Opportunities on the Horizon  

This session will provide an overview of upcoming tidal and offshore wind activity in Nova Scotia and what it means for suppliers and communities across the region. Attendees will hear directly from industry leaders about activity and development timelines, anticipated procurement needs, and the types of goods and services that will be required in the near and medium term. The discussion will help businesses understand where opportunities are emerging and how to begin preparing.   

Moderator: Elisa Obermann, Executive Director, Marine Renewables Canada

Speakers:

• TBC, Orbital Marine Power
• Lindsay Bennett, Executive Director, Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE)
• Adrienne Downey, Director, Offshore Wind, Power Advisory 

Morning theme: Building Supplier Capacity   

10:15 am – 11:00 am | What  Developers Need from Suppliers: A Clear Roadmap to Qualification  

Industry experts will outline what it takes for suppliers to successfully enter marine renewable energy supply chains. Topics will include procurement cycles, qualification processes, technical standards, and health, safety, and environmental expectations. Attendees will gain practical insight into how to position their companies to meet developer requirements and compete for upcoming contracts.   

Moderator: Dawn MacDonald, Global Energy Infrastructure Lead, AECOM

Speakers:

• Maria Pallard, Principal Consultant, ABL
• Brett Persons, Sales Director – Offshore Americas, Siemens Gamesa

11:00 am – 11:30 am | Refreshment  Break  

11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Bridging the Gap: Helping SMEs Enter the Marine Renewables Market  

This session will explore how small and medium-sized enterprises can enter the marine renewables sector by leveraging experience from related ocean industries. Speakers will also share vendor best practices, mentorship approaches between larger contractors and local businesses, and real-world case studies of companies that have successfully entered the market. Attendees will learn practical steps to reduce barriers and accelerate participation.  

Moderator: Anne-Marie Belliveau, Owner, Projectable Consulting

Speakers:

• Thomas Newcomb, Senior Chief Consultant, Ramboll 
• Ralph Bastarache, Chief Commercial Officer, Ocean Sonics 
• Jennifer MacNeil, Energy Sector Development Officer, Cape Breton Partnership  
• James Craig, Chief Development Officer, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster 

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Networking Lunch   

Afternoon theme: Engaging Local & Indigenous Communities   

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Indigenous-Led Supply Chain Participation  

This session will highlight opportunities for meaningful Indigenous participation in marine renewables supply chains. Speakers will discuss approaches to identifying Indigenous partners, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, and strengthening inclusive procurement practices. Attendees will also learn about tools and initiatives that help developers and suppliers connect with Indigenous service providers.  

Moderator: Barb Bryden, Stakeholder, Rights Holder & Community Liaison Manager, DP Energy

Speakers:

• Tracy Menge, Benefits Officer, KMKNO
• Denise Pothier, Chief Operating Officer, Canada Council for Aboriginal Business (CCIB)

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Building Opportunities for Local Workers  

Focusing on workforce development, this discussion will examine how partnerships with colleges, training institutions, and community organizations can prepare workers for marine renewable energy careers and upcoming opportunities. Speakers will share examples of successful programs, strategies for reducing barriers to entry for youth and underrepresented groups, and lessons learned from regional and industry experience. 

Speakers:

• Sheldon Polowin, Economist, Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC)
• Sherry Scully, Principal, SES Workforce Research and Consulting
• Karen Paul, Executive Director, Workforce Warriors 

3:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Refreshment  Break   

3:30 pm – 4:15 pm  | Closing  Panel Discussion: Lessons from Other Jurisdictions  and Industries: Community-Driven Supply Chains   

The closing panel will examine how regions around the world have successfully developed local supply chains to support emerging energy industries. Drawing lessons from offshore wind markets alongside Nova Scotia’s own experience building ocean sectors, panelists will share practical strategies for strengthening local participation, aligning industry and community interests, and capturing long-term economic value through coordinated supply chain development. Attendees will leave with insights into how collaboration between developers, governments, and local businesses can accelerate sustainable industry growth.  

Moderator: Mohammad Ali Raza, Partner, Cox & Palmer

Speakers:

• Sarah Courbis, Principal Environmental Scientist, EPI Group
• TBC, Orbital Marine Power
• David MacGregor, Associate Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Department of Energy

4:15 pm – 4:30 pm  | Summit Closing

4:30 pm – 6:00 pm  | Networking Reception

Download the agenda overview here.

Event Details

Date: May 12, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. AT | Networking Reception from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. AT
Location: Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, Nova Scotia Ballroom, 1919 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS
Cost: $275 (MRC Members) | $375 (Non-Members) 

Hotel Accommodations: MRC has secured a group rate at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel. You can access the booking link here, and rooms are available to book until April 17, 2026.

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Stand out. Grow your business. Sponsor the Summit!

View all opportunities here.

For more information, please connect with:

Amanda White, Senior Director, Operations & Member Services
📧  amanda@marinerenewables.ca

Thank you to our sponsors!  

Event Sponsor