US Hydro 2019 Conference & Exhibition, Biloxi, Mississippi, March 19-21

US Hydro 2019 is due to take place on March 19 – 21, 2019 in Biloxi, Mississippi. The 2017 conference convened Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas, USA from 20 – 23 March 2017. US Hydro is a biannual conference hosted by the Hydrographic Society of America (THSOA). THSOA and Canadian Hydrographic Association (CHA) alternate the hosting of the two premier Hydrographic conferences in North America annually.

The 2019 conference will be held at the beautiful Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. The exhibit hall and technical presentations hall will be co-located allowing for maximum interaction and networking discussions with exhibitors and presenters. In addition, the conference center is located within close proximity of the piers, not far from the exhibit hall, where exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their vessels and products for on-water demonstrations.

The 2019 Conference Theme will be “Our Changing Oceans and Coasts: Driving Innovation in Charting” with RDML Shepard Smith, Director, Office of Coast Survey, slotted as the Keynote Speaker.

In both 2015 and 2017 the conference attracted high-level keynote speakers including US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and head of the Senate Ocean Caucus; Mr Robert Cardillo, director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA); RADM Gerd Glang, US National Hydrographer and director of NOAA Office of Coast Survey; RADM Timothy Gallaudet, Hydrographer of the Navy and Commander Naval Oceanography and Meteorology Command and Mr Robert Ward, president, Directing Committee, International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB), Capt. Jorge Viso, America Pilot Association, RADM Shep Smith, NOAA, US Navy and Bill Shedd with the BOEM.

The Opening Ceremony in 2017 included the induction of three renowned Hydrographers into the THSOA Hall of Fame. Dr. David Wells, Jerry Mills and Larry Mayer were recognized for their outstanding contributions to Hydrography over the courses of their careers.

A major ingredient for the success of the conference is the exhibitors, support by government organizations, academia participation and individual attendance. In 2019 there will be room for some 72 exhibitors including industry leaders in survey services, software and hardware. Government, media and academia will also be represented at the exhibition.

Last year’s on-water demonstrations showed the latest survey and data collection technology. Included were ASV Global, Applanix, Chris Ransome & Associates, iLinks Geosolutions, Kongsberg, Measutronics, Norbit, Seahorse Geomatics, Survey Equipment Services and Teledyne Marine.

In 2017 there were nearly 600 attendees registered with right at 80 technical presentations and lightning round presentations. A total of 5 workshops were scheduled including the following topics “Navigating with Precise Navigation Products”, “Advancements in Hydrographic Data Processing”, “Vessels of Opportunity, Challenges and Solutions”, “Tide Coordinated Charting and Mapping” and the “NSPS/THSOA Hydrographer Certification Review”. The interest and attendance at the workshops were high.

Participation by academia is growing at each conference. THSOA Student Outreach Program brought 13 students to the conference from around the country. They were awarded full travel, per diem and conference fees. They are given a one-day class in hydrography, assigned a mentor and attend the conference and on-water demos. Their support ensured that the conference was of the highest quality and that the Student Outreach Program achieved its goal of hydrographic education. In addition to the Outreach Students, a student poster session attracted 16 posters. Industry support for the SOP program came from David Evans & Associates, Fugro, JOA Surveys, LLC, Kongsberg, Seafloor Surveys, Seahorse Geomatics and Terrasond. The posters were judged and a prize was awarded.

US Government participation was excellent, with the nation’s main federal Hydrographic agencies being well represented including NOAA, NGA, USACE and the US Navy.

Media coverage and partnering gives us the publicity we need to spread the word about the conference.

In 2019 the Accompanying Persons Program will have the opportunity to visit a multitude of attractions in Biloxi, MS including the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Museum, a Tour of Stennis Space Center along with Ship Island Excursions. Visit the THSOA US Hydro website to learn more.

Finally, the entire organization of THSOA and the US Hydro takes place with the hard work of industry volunteers. Their enthusiasm, dedication and time (at their own expense) ensure the success of this conference each year.

• Overall Event Coordinator – Mike Nitska, Hydroterra Technologies
• Exhibitor/Sponsors Coordinator - Melissa Wood, TDI-Brooks International, Inc.
• Venue Coordinator/Liaison – Christine Roca, Hypack, Jon Dasler, David Evans and Associates
• Technical Speaker Coordinator - Huw James
• Work Shops – Samantha Bruce QPS
• Poster Board/Lightning Rounds Coordinator – Josh Mode, Teledyne CARIS
• Student Outreach Coordinator - Chris Freeman Geodynamics LLC Callan McGriff, David Evans & Associates
• Pier and Boat Demo Coordinator - Laura Rajnak, David Evans and Associates
• Spouses/Accompanying Person Event Coordinator – Devona van Norden
• Registration - John Marinuzzi, HYPACK
• Hall of Fame Selection Committee Coordinator – Pat Sanders
• Hydrographic Certification Test Coordinator – Gary Davis