The Honorable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia, leaders from Dominion Energy, RWE, LS Cable & System, and others to speak at the 2025 International Partnering Forum in Virginia Beach
For Immediate Release: April 24, 2025
Media Contact: Melinda Skea | [email protected] | 202-709-9793
BALTIMORE — Next week, the global offshore wind industry will convene in Virginia Beach for the International Partnering Forum (IPF), the largest offshore renewable energy conference in the Americas. Hosted by Oceantic Network April 28 – May 1 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, IPF gathers key decisionmakers, government officials, and supply chain leaders to deliver market intelligence and the most pertinent programming across the offshore wind and ocean renewables sectors in the U.S.
IPF Week will kick off Monday, April 28, with two tours showcasing Virginia’s local offshore wind supply chain and how the region is already supporting the largest offshore wind project in the nation currently under construction. Also on Monday, a U.S. Offshore Wind Market Update will give attendees a detailed overview of the market and feature a series of speakers and panels providing the latest critical news and regional insights. At the same time, IPF Host Sponsor LS GreenLink USA will break ground on its $700 million submarine power cable manufacturing facility in nearby Chesapeake, Virginia.
The Opening Plenary will take place Tuesday, where Oceantic Network CEO Liz Burdock, The Honorable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia, leaders from Dominion Energy, RWE, and LS Cable & System, and other key figures will speak on the state of the industry and how collectively we continue to “Power ON” despite regulatory uncertainty and political headwinds. Workshops will begin after the plenary, and the day will conclude with Oceantic Network’s Ventus Gala, happening at IPF for the first time.
“2025 IPF arrives at a crucial moment for offshore wind,” Burdock said. “With unprecedented attacks on the industry and an unpredictable regulatory environment, this year’s conference programming is packed with content designed to help companies adapt. Whether you’re expanding your role in offshore wind or exploring opportunities in the marine renewables space, IPF offers the insights, tools, and connections to navigate the year ahead.”
On Thursday, IPF will host the U.S. Offshore Wind Workforce Summit, a gathering of workforce development leaders, industry experts, government officials, and others to create solutions to address offshore renewable energy workforce needs.
New for 2025, IPF introduces the Ocean Renewables Summit, focused on emerging energy technologies such as wave, tidal, and floating solar, and the Central Atlantic Supplier Fair, where local businesses can connect with Tier 1 suppliers, developers, and OEMs.
Thousands of professionals are expected to attend from across the globe, joining more than 200 expert speakers, hundreds of exhibitors, and dozens of networking events. Attendees will gain access to the latest intelligence on transmission, permitting, workforce, port development, and project updates—all critical for scaling marine renewable energy in the U.S. and building global collaboration.
IPF Week Highlights: April 28 – May 1
Presented by Oceantic Network
Virginia Beach Convention Center
1000 19th Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Access the full schedule online.
For press credentials, register online here.
Host sponsors for 2024 IPF are Dominion Energy, LS GreenLink USA, RWE, and the City of Virginia Beach.
April 28
Local Offshore Wind Industry Tours
Dominion Energy Boat Tour
Norfolk Harbor Facility Tour
LS GreenLink USA Groundbreaking*
Central Atlantic Supplier Fair
1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Central Atlantic Supplier Fair at 2025 IPF is designed to foster strong business-to-business connections by bringing attendees together with regional developers, Tier 1 suppliers, and OEMs.
U.S. Offshore Wind Market Update
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Begin IPF Week at the U.S. Offshore Wind Market Update where state leaders and industry experts will discuss plans for advancing offshore wind energy, growing our 40-state domestic supply chain and workforce, and meeting major clean energy goals. Speakers will reflect on activities that have supported the industry to date, and how that work continues under the new administration. They will share lessons learned for other states just entering the industry and provide an outlook on future work to keep the industry active and moving forward.
Central Atlantic Supplier Fair
1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
April 29
Opening Plenary
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Liz Burdock, President & CEO, Oceantic Network
The Honorable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia
Robert M. Dyer, Mayor, Virginia Beach
Bon-Kyu Koo, President & CEO, LS Cable & System Ltd.
Mark Mitchell, Senior Vice President – Project Construction, Dominion Energy
Sam Eaton, President and CEO, RWE US Offshore Wind
Joe Tirone, Board Chair, Oceantic Network
Exhibit Hall Opens
9:30 a.m.
Ventus Gala
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Ventus Gala is a formal event (cocktail attire) that brings together the global offshore wind community to celebrate our collective accomplishments and honor Ventus Award winners.
April 30
Ocean Renewables Summit
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Offshore Wind Vessel Briefing Lunch
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
May 1
Regional Breakfast Briefings
8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
U.S. Offshore Wind Workforce Summit
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
* This is an invite-only event—please contact Patrick Shim at [email protected] for event details if you are interested in attending.
Members of the press interested in attending IPF can register online. For more information or to attend the Ventus Gala, contact Melinda Skea at [email protected] or 202-709-9793.
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At Oceantic Network, we envision a thriving offshore energy industry powering strong economies. Offshore wind energy is the gateway to a host of other ocean renewables, including green hydrogen, wave energy, offshore solar, and more. Our collaborative member network advances the offshore renewable energy market and builds a robust supply chain of local companies. For more than a decade, Oceantic has grown alongside industry, setting the pace for an expanded view of what offshore renewable energy can deliver towards our nation’s energy mix. For more information about Oceantic membership, products and services, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.
