The first summit of the Blue Economy Business and Science Forum will take place in Hamburg on 12-13 September 2016 at the International Maritime Museum Hamburg (see programme). The Blue Economy Business & Science Forum is meant to be not only a place to discuss together about challenges and ways forwards, but also an occasion to celebrate scientific and industrial achievements connected with the sea. For this purpose, the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) is organising the Blue Economy Business Awards 2016 ceremony that will accompany the Forum and showcase excellent practices from industry in the blue economy field.

The Blue Economy Business Awards recognises and reward individuals or organisations who have made a specific contribution to bringing and developing innovation in the Blue Economy. The awards will be presented during the Gala Dinner of the Blue Economy Business & Science Forum, to be held at the International Maritime Museum on 12 September 2016, starting at 19h.

In addition to the Blue Economy Business award, the jury will have the possibility to select among the applicants the “Woman of the Year in the Blue Economy” and the “Rising Blue Star of the Year (up to 35 years old)”.

AER members are kindly invited by the European Commission to attend the summit of the Blue Economy Business and Science Forum, and the Blue Economy Business Awards 2016. More information can be found here. For any other questions please write to MARE-C1@ec.europa.eu.