By Peter Vietti, Office of Naval Research Public Affairs
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced Aug. 12 that more than 1,300 science and technology (S&T) industry professionals gathered to engage with ONR's principal S&T decision makers at the 2008 Naval S&T Partnership Conference.
The partnership conference is offering members of the science and technology industry the unique opportunity to network with like-minded professionals from a wide range of organizations and disciplines committed to the exploration and discovery of new and promising innovations.
"We are interested in tapping into all the science and technology we can find. Wherever the best stuff is, ONR wants to go get it," said Rear Adm. William Landay, chief of naval research at ONR. "This is about relevant research and taking that great science we discover and turning that into capability in the hands of the warfighters."
For the first time in the partnership conference history, the number of participants more than doubled from the past high attendance mark of approximately 600. This year's conference displays the latest and greatest in the ONR S&T portfolio with direct access to program managers. Turnout at the event underscores the increasing significance and need to make forward-looking investments in defense-related technologies.
Numerous educational and engagement sessions will be held at this year's convention, including keynote presentations by Landay; Vice Adm. John C. Harvey, Jr., director, Navy Staff; Marine Lt. Gen George J. Flynn, commanding general, Marine Corps Combat Development Command. Feature presentations will be given by Walter Jones, ONR executive director; Patricia Gruber, ONR director of research; Joseph Lawrence, ONR director of transition; Lawrence Schuette, ONR director of innovation; and Capt. Dan Gahagan, Naval Research Laboratory commanding officer.
Audio and video recordings of convention sessions are available by contacting ONR's Office of Corporate Strategic Communications at onrpao@navy.mil.