HOST SPONSOR Virginia Beach

Hosted by the Business Network for Offshore Wind. Visit our main webpage.

Strengthening the present & future growth of the industry's operations

As the offshore wind industry continues to mature, it is critical that its support systems (operations & maintenance and health & safety) are strong and resilient across the industry. With several projects set to get underway, we will start to see a lot of steel in the water over the next several years. What are the industry standards for operations and maintenance? Operational wind farms also require a trained workforce that values safety – how can we ensure that safety remains a high-level priority as the industry moves forward? 

Join us in Virginia Beach to discuss the nexus of these industry support systems and the critical need for them to work together.

Summit Agenda

Wednesday, January 18

5:15-6:45 p.m.
Joint Cocktail Hour with Tulane University Law School

Join us for a joint cocktail hour with the Energy Law Center at the Tulane University Law School, as part of their Offshore Wind Conference: Barriers in the Gulf. The event takes place at the Tulane River and Coastal Center (2370 Port of New Orleans Place), less than a 10-minute drive from the NOPSI Hotel.

Thursday, January 19

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Registration & Networking Breakfast
9:00 - 9:05 a.m.
Welcome Remarks

Speaker:

  • Laura Hastings, Workforce Development & HSE Director, Business Network for Offshore Wind  
  • Jim Pettigrew, Director, Offshore Energy Safety Board, National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program 
9:05 - 9:25 a.m.
Keynote Address

Speaker:

  • Kevin Sligh, Director, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
9:25 - 10:20 a.m.
Safety First: Early Design Concepts to Improve Worker Health & Safety Outcomes

Improving offshore wind safety begins well before the first worker steps onto a vessel. The Summit’s opening session will address the importance of industry collaboration across the lifecycle supply chain and the need to adopt safe-by-design principles to reduce personnel risks. Panelists will discuss how to utilize risk management early in the design process to emphasize health and safety throughout the wind farm life cycle.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Laura Hastings, Workforce Development & HSE Director, Business Network for Offshore Wind
  • Jonathan Fraser, Renewable Energy Compliance Specialist, BSEE 
  • Robb Hall, Safety Leader, Equinor 
  • Peter Lukens, Head of HSE Projects & Services North America, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy
  • Marcus Peters, Global Head of Offshore HSE, RWE
10:20 - 11:00 a.m.
Networking Break
11:00 - 11:55 a.m.
The Need for Transparency: Data-Sharing to Improve Health and Safety

How and when do workers get hurt? Are offshore wind injuries unique or do they mimic adjacent industries? To answer these questions and improve health and safety outcomes, it is critical that relevant data be openly shared throughout the industry. What data the industry decides to collect and who is responsible for reporting it are questions still to be answered. Industry leaders will discuss how best to leverage workplace safety data in the emerging U.S. market to ensure consistent reporting that will support a safe industry. 

Speaker:

  • Moderator: Jane Heidingsfelder, Partner, Labor & Employment Practice Group, Jones Walker LLP
  • Beate Hildenbrand, Head of the Americas, G+ Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation
  • Will Kenyon, Head of QHSE for Dev & EPC – Americas, Ørsted
  • Dr. Mark Marien, Director – U.S. Offshore Quality, Health & Safety, Avangrid Renewables
  • Loulan Pitre, Partner in Charge, Kelly Hart Pitre

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Networking & Exhibition Lunch
1:00 - 1:20 p.m.
The Business Network: Supporting Your Business & Building the Supply Chain

Speaker:

  • Maryanne Jefferson, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Membership, Business Network for Offshore Wind
1:20 - 2:05 p.m.
A Bird’s Eye View: Exploring Aviation’s Role In Offshore Wind O&M

While offshore wind is primarily a maritime industry, aircraft will play a critical role in the operations and maintenance (O&M) of an offshore wind farm. Helicopters will transport personnel to and from farms and remote operated aircraft will inspect and possibly even perform maintenance on turbines and blades. Industry leaders will share how aviation can help meet the needs of offshore wind O&M and will address how drone and unmanned aircraft companies can play a role in the offshore wind supply chain. There will be a brief Q&A discussion at the end of the presentations.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Sam Salustro, Vice President of Strategic Communications
  • DaCoda Bartels, Senior Vice President of Operations, Fly Guys
  • Oliver Frieland, Managing Partner, HeliService Germany
  • Michael Tosi, Managing Director, HeliService USA

2:05 - 2:35 p.m.
networking Break
2:35 - 3:20 p.m.
Thinking Outside The Box: Innovations In Offshore Wind Workforce Training

The U.S. offshore wind market is in a quandary – it must quickly train tens of thousands of new workers to meet the nation’s ambitious GW goals, but a lack of commercial-scale projects means hands-on training is difficult. Hear from market entrepreneurs who are stepping up and introducing new technologies and products to help get workers trained from afar.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: James Martin, CEO, Gulf Wind Technology
  • Dr. Cynthia Brown, Partner, IWNL Consulting
  • Mauricio Guzman, Business Development Manager – Renewables, RelyOn Nutec
  • Captain Jon Kjaerulff, Director Of Business Development, MITAGS
  • Eagle Wu, Founder & CEO, VinciVR
3:25- 4:20 P.M.
Strengthening Local Communities: Workforce Development Needs In O&M

The operations and maintenance (O&M) of an offshore wind farm will be an important economic driver and job creator for many U.S. coastal communities, as well as a growth opportunity for supply chain companies. The decades-long operations and maintenance needs of an offshore wind farm require building a robust local workforce and strong supply chain that extends from trained technicians to vessel bunkering and refueling. This discussion will focus on how public officials, developers, supply chain companies, and unions can prepare their community for the opportunities offshore wind brings

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Ben Etherton, Strategic Advisor, Arcon Training Center
  • Captain Michael Burns, Executive Director, Maritime Center for Responsible Energy, Massachusetts Maritime Academy
  • Dr. Tamika Jacques, Director of Workforce Development and Supply Chain, Avangrid
  • Lori LeBlanc, Principal Consultant, ERM/Southeast LA Economic Council
4:25- 4:30 P.M.
Closing Remarks

 Speaker
  • Marcus Peters, Global Head of Offshore HSE, RWE
4:45 p.m.
Networking & Exhibition Reception
6:00 p.m.
Offshore Wind Drinks

Join your industry colleagues for Offshore Wind Drinks – New Orleans. The gathering is being held at Copper Vine Bar & Restaurant (1001 Poydras Street, New Orleans). This is an external event hosted by Jones Walker, Young Professionals in Energy (YPE), and Bureau Veritas. The event is free to attend but you must register in advance.

Friday, January 20

7:30 - 8:30 A.m.
Networking Breakfast
8:25 - 8:30 A.M.
Welcome Remarks
  • Laura Hastings, Workforce Development & HSE Director, Business Network for Offshore Wind  
8:30 - 8:50 A.M.
Keynote Remarks
  • Brad Lambert, Deputy Secretary, Louisiana Economic Development. 
8:50 - 9:40 A.M.
Safety On The Sea: A Look At Vessel Operational Safety In Construction And O&M

Industry safety extends beyond turbine installation and maintenance – it includes the dozens of vessels that survey, construct, and maintain wind farms. Vessel operators conducting crew or equipment transfers require advanced skills that include dynamic positioning operations. Leading vessel experts will discuss what the industry should expect from regulators and operators to ensure maritime safety.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Dustin Varnell, U.S. Country Manager, Osbit
  • Jim Baker, Owner, Baker Marine Solutions
  • Otto Candies IV,  Business Development – Southeast, Crowley Wind Services
  • Julie Shebroe, Account Manager and Business Development, Northstar Marine, Inc

9:45 - 9:55 A.M.
Networking Break
9:55 - 10:45 A.M.
Don’t Reinvent The Wheel: Integrating Oil And Gas Best Practices Into Offshore Wind O&M

Maintaining an offshore wind farm means servicing the whole turbine beyond blades and nacelles. The oil and gas industry has decades of experience maintaining platforms, foundations, and components to ensure maximum operational efficiency. Industry experts, both oil and gas and offshore wind, will discuss what the new industry can learn and leverage from the experience of oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Von Thompson, Energy Transition Lead – Gulf of Mexico, Subsea 7
  • Allison Hallock, Operations and Maintenance Lead, Shell
  • Marcus K. Marinos, Offshore Wind Lead – Americas, Wood PLC
  • Dan Matthews, Commercial Director, Marine Asset Integrity, Fugro
  • Dr. Matthew Taylor, Chief Technology Officer, Deepwater Corrosion Services, Inc.

10:45 - 11:20 A.M
Regulator Updates & Insights

Speakers:

  • Moderator: John Bain, Petroleum Engineer & Technical Advisor, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
  • LCDR Andrew Czarniak, United States Coast Guard 
  • Jonathan Fraser, Renewable Energy Compliance Specialist, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
  • Jeffrey Stewart, Renewable Energy Specialist (Safety), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
11:20- 11:25 A.M
Closing Remarks
  • Laura Hastings, Workforce Development & HSE Director, Business Network for Offshore Wind  
Note that a boxed lunch will be provided for attendees.
JOIN US

Hotel & Venue

Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront
4201 Atlantic Avenue
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Accommodations in Virginia Beach

The 2024 OSW O&M/ Health & Safety Summit will be held at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel. The Network has secured a block of discounted rooms for attendees. Use this link to book your room at the discounted rate.

Host Sponsor

Summit Sponsorship

To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Denielle Christensen or Maryanne Jefferson at the Business Network for Offshore Wind. Download our Sponsorship Opportunities PDF to learn more.

Summit Attendance

Professionals came together at the OSW O&M / Health & Safety Summit for two days of workshops focused on operations and maintenance, health and safety, and data industries. View and download the Attendance List PDF

Covid-19

Health & Safety Guidelines

The OSW O&M / Health & Safety Summit will follow the Business Network for Offshore Wind’s COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines detailed on the Network website. The Business Network for Offshore Wind is firmly committed to the health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors – your health and well-being is our number one priority. The Network has put the following COVID-19 health and safety standards in place that strictly adheres to guidelines mandated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure safe and successful industry events. Please take the time to review our guidelines.  

SPONSORS
Mentors and CEOs

Conference speakers

David Moyes
CEO, Colibri
Jayden Morris
Graphic Designer, Parrot
Richard Mortensen
Sales Executive, Finch
Felix Moyer
Customer Happinness, Herrons
Richard Oreta
Managing Director, Falcon
Sanit Khan
Sales Manager, Plover
Raymond Wright
Scrum Master, Eagle
Martha Hill
Sales Executive, Hummingbird

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