From the Waterfront to the World: Ocean Innovation in Halifax
In Halifax, the ocean isn’t something you visit; it’s something you live alongside. It shapes our skyline, fuels our economy, and connects us to the world. As global conversations around ocean innovation, sustainability, and renewable energy continue to grow, Halifax has emerged as a natural place for those conversations to happen.
Canada’s Ocean Capital, by Design
Halifax has long been shaped by the sea, and today that connection places the city at the center of a globally significant oceans industry. From ocean technology and marine research to renewable energy and sustainable seafood, Halifax continues to position itself as Canada’s Ocean Capital and a natural home for ocean-focused conferences and events.
With hundreds of ocean-sector companies, world-leading researchers, and a deep-rooted coastal culture, Halifax offers something few cities can. An ocean industry that isn’t just discussed here, it lives here.
To learn more about the scope and impact of the sector, explore Discover Halifax Business Events’ Oceans & Natural Resources industry overview, which highlights why organizations from around the world choose Halifax as a meeting place for ocean innovation.
A Meeting Place Within the Ecosystem
As part of Halifax’s downtown core, the Halifax Convention Centre plays a unique role in supporting this sector. Located steps from the waterfront, research institutions, hotels, and cultural landmarks, our Centre offers more than meeting space. It offers proximity to the very ecosystem that defines the industry.
In 2024, we proudly hosted the OCEANS Conference & Expo, welcoming more than 1,500 delegates from 35 countries for four days of collaboration, research sharing, and innovation. Beyond the technical program, the event extended into the city itself, including a local pop-up market that celebrated Nova Scotia’s ocean economy and coastal culture.
To capture what OCEANS 2024 looked and felt like in Halifax, we created That One Time… We Were an Oceans Powerhouse, a short video that brings the scale, energy, and sense of possibility behind the conference to life. Watch the video for a glimpse of what’s possible when the global oceans community comes together in Halifax.
Building on that momentum, we have also hosted Marine Renewables Canada, bringing offshore wind and clean energy conversations to the forefront, as well as the H2O Conference, a returning event focused on water, sustainability, and innovation. Together, these events reflect the breadth of ocean-related dialogue happening in Halifax, from research and renewables to policy and practical solutions.
Keeping the Conversation Going
Halifax’s oceans story is still being written. As explored in the Economist feature on how Halifax is positioning itself for offshore wind and future-focused innovation, the city continues to invest in the ideas, infrastructure, and partnerships that will shape the next chapter of the ocean economy.
At the Halifax Convention Centre, we’re proud to be part of that journey, providing space for conversations that matter and welcoming the people who are moving the industry forward.
Whether it’s through global conferences like OCEANS, upcoming events like H2O, or the connections made between sessions, Halifax remains a place where ocean innovation doesn’t just happen. It continues. For a deeper look at how Halifax is shaping the future of offshore wind and ocean innovation, Economist Impact’s feature offers valuable insight into what’s next for the city and the sector.