|
the iconic backdrop of the city . The diverse marine sector in Vancouver includes shipbuilding and design , marine transportation , aquaculture and fishing , tourism and recreation , government services and defence .
Ocean technology companies target export markets worldwide with their wide range of knowledge , products , services and a network of business contacts and partners . Companies like ISE Ltd . ( International Submarine Engineering Ltd .) have established global leadership with products like Theseus , a 10.7 metre long AUV that successfully laid several 220-kilometre cables in 600-metre depths under a 2.5-metre-thick ice pack in the Canadian Arctic . And there ’ s Corvus Energy , pioneers on maritime energy storage systems ( ESSs ) for almost every vessel afloat .
Vancouver ’ s academic record is also impressive . There are five public universities attracting 90,000 students in the Greater Vancouver area , the largest being the University of British Columbia
|
Right : View on the water from the Vancouver Convention Centre |
( UBC ) which often ranks among the 40 best universities in the world . UBC is also home to the renowned Changing Ocean Research Unit which studies the effects of global climate and ocean changes on marine ecosystems , biodiversity and fisheries . Universities and research organisations in Greater Vancouver work closely with private sector companies to share knowledge from the marine technology and science community and to commercialise data and components of its advanced research .
And the city is great at delivering events to spread the story of its success . The Vancouver Convention Centre is one of Canada ' s largest convention centres offering 43,340sqm of meeting space . The East Building is located in Canada Place , while the adjacent West Building , now celebrating its tenth birthday , offers additional convention space , a public waterfront promenade , and extensive parking . Much of the six hectare site is built over and also supplies infrastructure for
|
future water-based developments including an expanded marina and a float plane terminal .
A great activity for delegate down time is to take one of these seaplan trips to understand the full-scale of the maritime panorama .
The environmental organisation Greenpeace was founded in Vancouver in 1971 , so it is no surprise commerce goes hand in hand with sustainability . Along the waterfront , the shoreline ecology is fully restored from its previous brownfield state and supports a historic salmon migration path . An artificial reef structure rings the building perimeter . Meanwhile the Port of Vancouver is a key signatory in the World Ports Climate Action Programme , an international initiative launched in 2018 with the intention of dramatically decreasing the polluting effects of the international shipping trade .
Back to the VEC ; “ We invite you to join us in Vancouver and be part of our high-tech clusters , leading ocean economy and booming international trade – all in the context of the climate emergency .”
|