Big Blue Conference on Cape Cod

The Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation Presents the Second Annual

Big Blue Conference

The 2024 Big Blue Conference will explore how the future of blue is electric. From air to land to sea, you'll learn about innovative work happening in renewable energy and coastal resiliency from community and industry leaders. Plus, you won't want to miss the Big Blue Expo, featuring refreshments, blue economy exhibits, and Battle of the Robots!

Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1, 2024
at Aloft Aviation at Cape Cod Gateway Airport
110 Mary Dunn Way, Hyannis

One-day tickets $45 each Two-day ticket bundle $85

Register Today
The Big Blue Conference 2024: Two-day Ticket Bundle >
The Big Blue Conference 2024: One-Day Ticket - April 30 >
The Big Blue Conference 2024: One-Day Ticket - May 1 >
The Big Blue Expo 2024: April 30, 5:30 - 7:30pm >

Big Blue Schedule

Day 1: Tuesday, April 30

Fasten your seatbelts! Cape Cod Gateway Airport will take us on their journey of building their own microgrid. Eversource, MassDOT, and renewable energy providers will take the stage to share their role in this BIG project. Leaders in electrification of transportation will then pave the way for using clean energy to move us into the future.

10:00 Registration

10:30 Welcome to Big Blue at Aloft Aviation
Special Guest Emcee Rhondella Richardson, Anchor/Reporter at News Center 5 WCVB
Paul Niedzwiecki, CEO, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
Eric Drugge, Owner, Aloft Aviation

Cape Cod Gateway Airport BIG Microgrid Project
Katie Servis, Manager, Cape Cod Gateway Airport

Break

Electric Sector Modernization Plan
Lavelle Freeman, Director, Distribution System Planning at Eversource

12:15 Lunch by Pizza Barbone

Electric Vehicle Charging on Cape Cod
Panel Moderator Dan Wolf, Cape Air, Founder and Board Chairman
Tom Cahir, Administrator, Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority
Steven Tupper, Deputy Director, Cape Cod Commission
Sean Tully, Eversource, Manager of EV Make Ready Program

Break

Scope of Cape Cod Gateway Airport Microgrid Project and Grant
Jeffrey DeCarlo, Ed.D, PMP, ATP, Administrator, MassDOT Aeronautics Division
Owen Silbaugh, PE, PMP, Chief Engineer and Director of Airport Engineering, MassDOT Aeronautics Division

The Future of Flight
Chris Caputo, BETA Test Pilot and former Air Force Commander

Presenting Sponsor
Ken Kimmell, Chief Development Officer, Avangrid

3:45 Closing Remarks
Jonathan “JT” Thompson, JT Chronicles

Big Blue Expo featuring
Battle of the Robots!

Tuesday, April 30 from 5:30 - 7:30pm at Cape Cod Gateway Airport

Speaking of the future, watch as local high school student robotics teams battle for the title of Best Bots at Big Blue! Network and learn about the blue economy while watching Cape Cod high school robotic teams put their creations to the test - you will be amazed!

Register separately for this free event here.

Thank you to our exhibitors Avangrid, Cape Light Compact, Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative, Cape Cod Community College, CARE for the Cape & Islands/Take Care Cape Cod, Lone Tree Creek Sea Farm, Teledyne, and Think Energy.

Day 2: Wednesday, May 1

Our collective impacts on coastal ecology and structure come to the surface. Experts from IFAW's Dolphin Rescue Center, New England Aquarium, and Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance describe what it's like to work with marine life in a changing climate. Climate impacts you too. Local and national leaders in coastal construction will delve into the depths of protecting our unique coastal spaces.

8:00 Breakfast
With a word from our sponsors Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod
and The Steamship Authority.

9:00 Big Blue Energy
Representative Kip Diggs, 2nd Barnstable District
Special Guest Emcee Eric Fisher, WBZ-TV Chief Meteorologist

Economic Impact of Clean Water & Climate Change
Erin Perry, Deputy Director, Cape Cod Commission

New Dolphin Rescue Center, Orleans
Dr. Sarah Sharp, Animal Rescue Veterinarian, IFAW

Advocating for Ocean Economy
Luz Arregoces, Director of Community Relations, New England Aquarium

Break

Sustainability of Coastal Resilience Projects
Dan Nees, Program Director, Throwe Environmental

Ecological Approach to Shoreline Stabilization
Stephanie Greaves Haussmann, Account Manager, Crawford Land Management

Complexities of Coastal Construction
Jon Hagenstein, Partner, Beacon Marine Construction
and Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation board member

11:55 Oysters & Chowdah

Climate Change Challenges and Working Waterfronts
Panel Moderator Doreen Leggett, Community Journalist & Communications Officer, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance
Captain Bill Amaru
Aubrey Church, Policy Manager, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance
Glen Gawarkiewicz, Senior Scientist, Physical Oceanography Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

Why so many sharks all of a sudden?
Greg Skomal, Senior Fisheries Scientist, Mass Division of Marine Fisheries

Blue Futures
Stephen Cole, Executive Director, The Plymouth Foundation

1:45 Closing Remarks