Blue Cluster on a mission in America
The International Partnering Forum (IPF) of the Business Network for Offshore Wind is one of America’s most important conferences in terms of offshore wind. Blue Cluster is not only present at this conference with a stand, but also organises a group business trip within the framework of the event.
You can read more about our experience in the US below.
Saturday 21 August
Around noon today, we left for the US with our members. We arrived in Washington in the early afternoon (local time). Despite the difficulties to enter the US - not everyone was allowed to leave, and some of our delegation members were only given the green light the night before departure - many Belgian companies are represented on this mission. These include 24Sea; Belgian Offshore Cluster; Citymesh; IMDC; Jan De Nul; Manora; Marlinks; OCAS; Sarens; and Smulders.
Sunday 22 August
After breakfast, we took the train to Richmond to enjoy an executive welcome luncheon in the Can Can Brasserie. Afterwards, we took the bus to Virginia Beach to check into our hotel. This is where the actual programme of the International Partnering Forum started with a Tour Gala offered by the City of Virginia Beach, Dominion Energy, the State of Virginia and the Hamton Roads Alliance.
Monday 23 August
Today we explored the port of Norfolk and Portsmouth by boat. After breakfast, we left for the starting point in Norfolk by bus. During the visit, lunch was served on board. In the early afternoon, we returned to Richmond by bus. After checking into the hotel, we had an evening activity planned: a reception organised by the governor of Virginia in the Virginia Executive Mansion.
Tuesday 24 August
On today’s programme were meetings with two leading US energy companies: Avangrid and Dominion Energy. Additionally, we also set up our stand at the conference. And the result is impressive, even if we say so ourselves. There was also a welcome in the conference hall, and finally, Dominion Energy treated us to an outdoor welcome reception at Kanawha Plaza.
Wednesday 25 August
Today was the official opening of the conference. Our delegation members first enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the conference hall and then had many conversations with potential clients and partners. In the late morning, we gave a presentation about the European offshore wind supply chain on the Innovation Stage. Later in the day, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Business Network of Offshore Wind, the organisation behind IPF, in the context of the ELBE Alliance. The governor of Virginia also briefly visited our stand and various receptions were planned for the evening.
Thursday 26 August
The second day of the conference was also a huge success. During the day, many people visited our stand. In the afternoon, we organised the workshop ‘ELBE Alliance - Innovative European Technologies for Floating Wind’ with our Spanish partners in the ELBE Plus project. In the late afternoon, the conference was officially closed with a reception in the registration lobby.
Friday 27 August
The Conference has ended! Today we returned to Washington DC by train. After we arrived, we had some free time in the afternoon to go sightseeing. Then, in the evening, a reception was planned at the residence of the Belgian ambassador to America. Unfortunately, he could not be present himself, but we were gracefully received by Jan De Pauw, the Deputy Chief of Mission.
Saturday 28 August
After our last night in the Phoenix Park Hotel, our group business trip came to an end. Today, most delegation members flew back home. We would like to thank everyone for participating in this very interesting and successful mission.
Background information
The group business trip and participation in IPF are part of the ELBE Plus project, which aims to put Europe on the map as the technological and industrial world leader in blue energy.
For the organisation of the mission and the participation in the conference, Blue Cluster could count on support from Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT).
