Nortek Blue Tech Summit in Chile draws over 100 attendees

Presentations from industry leaders

The event was designed as a space for discussion around the blue economy and ocean sustainability. Presenters from leading aquaculture and renewable energy companies in Chile spoke on their perspectives on the future of the industry and challenges it will face.

“We didn’t just envision a ‘Nortek talking about Nortek’ event, but rather a place to propose solutions for our users for ocean care and preservation,” says Alex Lobos, Business Development Manager Latam at Nortek and organizer of the event.

Attendees enjoyed talks from many industry leaders. For example, Adolfo Alvia, Executive Director of Club Innovación Acuicola, who discussed the future of the aquaculture industry and how it aligns with the preservation of the marine environment. Additionally, MERIC Energías Marinas gave a talk about the future of marine renewable energy in Chile and one of the first major offshore wind projects in southern Chile.

Expanding knowledge of ocean technology

Many attendees of the event benefited not only from hearing from others in their own sector, but also from cross-industry knowledge and learning about different ocean technologies.

“We’ve attended talks not only related to the aquaculture sector, but also to other areas that play an important role in the county, as well as technologies that, strictly speaking, not all of us were familiar with,” says Felipe Tucca, Research Coordinator at the Salmon Institute of Technology. “We’ve learned a great deal from this seminar, which has been very enriching.”

The multifaceted nature of the event generated discussion surrounding both Nortek’s ADCP and DVL technology, depending on the application. According to Lobos, the team discussed

“We showcased the benefits of using Signature ADCPs with AHRS on oceanographic buoys, In Chile, Nortek is involved in one of the country’s largest oceanographic monitoring projects, with a network expected to reach more than 70 buoys in the fjords,” explains Lobos. “We also showcased how our Nucleus can improve the efficiency and safety of ROV operations in aquaculture, which is a huge and developing market.”

These discussions were supported by presentations from industry partners as well, showing real-world examples of Nortek’s technology in use.

Fostering community in South America

Attendees of the Blue Tech Summit not only enjoyed the insights from the presenters, but also connecting with one another.

“The truth is that it has been very surprising to be here, very rewarding,” says Catalina Aguirre, Academic and Researcher at Universidad de Valparaiso and a speaker at the event. “I think this is a very relevant event where experiences from academia, the public sector, and the private sector can be shared, because I believe that is the best way to move forward on important issues such as sustainability, aquaculture, and how we face extreme events in the context of climate change.”

Creating a space for discussions between industry sectors

According to Lobos, his goal for the event was to create a space for technical discussion, where the commercial side “takes a backseat,” he explains.

“We had Nortek ambassadors show other potential users what they’re doing with our technologies and how they’re providing solutions to various industries and scientific segments,” he says. “We generated important discussions and synergies among them.”

Attendees reflected this sentiment as well, noting the benefits of the discussions had at the event.

“I’m truly impressed with the turnout and the organization,” says Magdalena Brain, Deputy Manager of Environment and Sustainability at Multi X Salmon. “Everything is perfect for a rich conversation and to learn about the new marine technologies available for the sustainability and modernization of our industries, which is what we all want.”

Lobos notes that the success of this year’s event led to plans for future events in Chile.

“Of course, everyone talked about a second version next year!” he adds.