Support for NEVA 2011, the international maritime conference and exhibition taking place in St. Petersburg between September 20th and 23rd this year, has gathered momentum both within Russia and internationally in recent weeks. The event, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is increasingly being viewed within Russia as not simply a niche maritime exhibition, but as a global business-to-business event. As a result it is being backed by the domestic business community at the highest level.