The WestMED Initiative was represented at the European Maritime Day 2019, on 16 and 17 May 2019, in Lisbon. Fórum Oceano, which is the WestMED Portuguese National Hub, assured the presence of the Initiative at the exhibition area. After the opening ceremony session, held on 16 May, the Commissioner Karmenu Vella visited the WestMED’ s booth, exchanging some encouraging words with Frederico Ferreira, Fórum Oceano.

The European Maritime Day (EMD) it a two-day annual event that DG MARE organises since 2008. In 2019, the EMD took place at the Lisbon Congress Centre, on 16 and 17 May 2019. It was co-organised by the European Commission (DG MARE), the Ministry of the Sea (Directorate General for Maritime Policy) and the Lisbon City Council, in collaboration with Fórum Oceano, the Portuguese Maritime Cluster, which was the entity responsible for organising the exhibition area.

According to DGMARE: “with 1500 registered participants, EMD 2019 has broken all previous records, including for the biggest ever exhibition, with 105 exhibitors. (note: Linke removed/ inactive page)” The focus of the 2019 edition was blue entrepreneurship, innovation and investment to transform traditional maritime sectors and boost emerging technologies and value chains. The event comprised workshops, breakout sessions, B2B meetings, pitches and an exhibition area (EMD EXPO).

The EMD in numbers (note: link removed/ inactive page):

1. 1500 registered participants, from 53 countries
2. More than 150 speakers
3. 8 breakout sessions organised by the European Commission
4. 28 workshops organised by blue economy stakeholders
5. 21 pitch presentations
6. More than 140 B2B meetings have been scheduled
7. 105 exhibitors