[TEST EVENT - DO NOT REGISTER] VSRA Maritime Innovation Summit & New Year Gala 2027

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Dec 31, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
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⚠ TEST / DEMO EVENT - This is not a real event. It was created to preview the agenda, locations, and content-tab features. Please do not register or attend.

Join the Virginia Ship Repair Association for our flagship end-of-year gathering aboard Norfolk's historic waterfront. The Maritime Innovation Summit & New Year Gala brings together shipyard leaders, Navy partners, technology innovators, and the trades workforce for three days of forward-looking programming.

What to expect

  • Keynotes from Navy and industry leadership
  • Hands-on trade workshops and certifications
  • A sold-out exhibit hall and technology showcase
  • Deep-dive panels on the future of naval ship repair
  • A black-tie New Year's Eve Gala with a midnight fireworks show over the Elizabeth River

Use the tabs above for the full agenda, venue details, and this year's sponsors. We can't wait to close out the year with you.

This event is limited to 250 people.

There are currently 250 seats remaining.

Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center
1 Waterside Dr
Norfolk, VA 23510
Get Directions

The summit is hosted at the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center on Norfolk's downtown waterfront. Parking is available in the adjacent Cedar Grove lot, and the Tide light rail stops two blocks away.

View our Session by Location.

Our main stage on the second floor overlooking the Elizabeth River. Seats 600 theater-style and hosts all keynotes, panels, and the New Year's Eve Gala.

Accessibility: elevator access from the Main Lobby; assistive listening available at the AV desk.

Thursday, 12/31
8:30 AM

Opening Keynote

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
The industry's leaders open the summit with a look at the year ahead.
10:00 AM

Panel: The Future of Naval Ship Repair

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
A candid discussion on capacity, modernization, and the road ahead.
9:00 PM

New Year's Eve Gala & Midnight Fireworks

9:00 PM - 12:30 AM
Black-tie dinner, dancing, and a midnight fireworks show over the Elizabeth River.
Friday, 1/1
11:00 AM

Fireside Chat: Innovation in the Yard

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
An informal conversation on the technology reshaping ship repair.
Saturday, 1/2
8:30 AM

Breakfast & Industry Awards

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Celebrate the year's standout yards, teams, and apprentices.
10:30 AM

Closing Session & Look Ahead to 2027

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Key takeaways and a preview of the year's programming.

18,000 sq ft of exhibitor booths, live demos, and the technology showcase on the ground floor. Complimentary coffee service throughout the day.

Thursday, 12/31
9:30 AM

Exhibit Hall Open

9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Doors open on the exhibit hall and technology showcase.
Friday, 1/1
1:00 PM

Technology Showcase

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Live demos of robotics, digital twins, and predictive maintenance tools.

A glass-walled waterfront pavilion for meals and networking, with a wraparound terrace facing the harbor.

Thursday, 12/31
12:00 PM

Networking Luncheon

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch on the water with colleagues old and new.
Friday, 1/1
9:00 AM

New Year Brunch

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
A relaxed waterfront brunch to start the new year.

A hands-on lab configured for trade workshops. Personal protective equipment is provided; closed-toe shoes required.

Thursday, 12/31
10:00 AM

Roundtable: Workforce of Tomorrow

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
An interactive roundtable on recruiting and retaining the trades. (Runs concurrently with the main panel.)
2:00 PM

Workshop: Advanced Welding Techniques

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Hands-on session; PPE provided. Space is limited.

Ground-floor registration and information desk. Badge pickup, coat check, and the shuttle stop are all located here.

Thursday, 12/31
7:00 AM

Registration & Badge Pickup

7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Check in, grab your badge and program, and enjoy the welcome coffee.
Saturday, 1/2
12:00 PM

Farewell Reception

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
One last coffee and goodbye before you head out.

Opening Keynote

Speakers:

  • ADM Jane Whitfield, USN (Ret.), former Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command
  • Robert Cho, Chair, VSRA Board of Directors

A forward-looking address on the state of naval ship repair and the workforce that powers it.

Panel: The Future of Naval Ship Repair

Panelists:

  • CAPT Miguel Reyes, USN, Norfolk Naval Shipyard
  • Dana Albright, VP Operations, Colonna's Shipyard
  • Dr. Priya Nair, Old Dominion University

Roundtable: Workforce of Tomorrow

Facilitated small-group discussion on apprenticeships, credentialing, and pipeline partnerships with regional schools.

Workshop: Advanced Welding Techniques

A hands-on walkthrough of advanced welding processes used in modern hull repair, led by certified VSRA trade instructors. Attendees earn a completion certificate.

New Year's Eve Gala & Midnight Fireworks

Cap off the year in style. The evening includes a plated dinner, live band, an awards toast, and a champagne countdown to a fireworks show over the harbor at midnight.

Attire: black tie.

Fireside Chat: Innovation in the Yard

Featuring: Elena Vasquez, Chief Technology Officer, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, in conversation with the VSRA Innovation Committee.

Breakfast & Industry Awards

Presented by:

  • Robert Cho, Chair, VSRA Board of Directors
  • Susan Park, Executive Director, VSRA

The annual Excellence in Ship Repair awards breakfast.

Explore the full three-day program below. Select a date to see that day's sessions; click any session for speakers and details, or a location for directions.

7:00 AM

Registration & Badge Pickup

7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Main Lobby
Check in, grab your badge and program, and enjoy the welcome coffee.
8:30 AM

Opening Keynote

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Grand Ballroom
The industry's leaders open the summit with a look at the year ahead.
9:30 AM

Exhibit Hall Open

9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Exhibit Hall
Doors open on the exhibit hall and technology showcase.
10:00 AM

Panel: The Future of Naval Ship Repair

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Grand Ballroom
A candid discussion on capacity, modernization, and the road ahead.

Roundtable: Workforce of Tomorrow

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Workshop Room A
An interactive roundtable on recruiting and retaining the trades. (Runs concurrently with the main panel.)
12:00 PM

Networking Luncheon

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Waterside Pavilion
Lunch on the water with colleagues old and new.
2:00 PM

Workshop: Advanced Welding Techniques

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Workshop Room A
Hands-on session; PPE provided. Space is limited.
9:00 PM

New Year's Eve Gala & Midnight Fireworks

9:00 PM - 12:30 AM
Grand Ballroom
Black-tie dinner, dancing, and a midnight fireworks show over the Elizabeth River.
9:00 AM

New Year Brunch

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Waterside Pavilion
A relaxed waterfront brunch to start the new year.
11:00 AM

Fireside Chat: Innovation in the Yard

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Grand Ballroom
An informal conversation on the technology reshaping ship repair.
1:00 PM

Technology Showcase

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Exhibit Hall
Live demos of robotics, digital twins, and predictive maintenance tools.
8:30 AM

Breakfast & Industry Awards

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Grand Ballroom
Celebrate the year's standout yards, teams, and apprentices.
10:30 AM

Closing Session & Look Ahead to 2027

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Grand Ballroom
Key takeaways and a preview of the year's programming.
12:00 PM

Farewell Reception

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Main Lobby
One last coffee and goodbye before you head out.

Opening Keynote

Speakers:

  • ADM Jane Whitfield, USN (Ret.), former Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command
  • Robert Cho, Chair, VSRA Board of Directors

A forward-looking address on the state of naval ship repair and the workforce that powers it.

Panel: The Future of Naval Ship Repair

Panelists:

  • CAPT Miguel Reyes, USN, Norfolk Naval Shipyard
  • Dana Albright, VP Operations, Colonna's Shipyard
  • Dr. Priya Nair, Old Dominion University

Roundtable: Workforce of Tomorrow

Facilitated small-group discussion on apprenticeships, credentialing, and pipeline partnerships with regional schools.

Workshop: Advanced Welding Techniques

A hands-on walkthrough of advanced welding processes used in modern hull repair, led by certified VSRA trade instructors. Attendees earn a completion certificate.

New Year's Eve Gala & Midnight Fireworks

Cap off the year in style. The evening includes a plated dinner, live band, an awards toast, and a champagne countdown to a fireworks show over the harbor at midnight.

Attire: black tie.

Fireside Chat: Innovation in the Yard

Featuring: Elena Vasquez, Chief Technology Officer, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, in conversation with the VSRA Innovation Committee.

Breakfast & Industry Awards

Presented by:

  • Robert Cho, Chair, VSRA Board of Directors
  • Susan Park, Executive Director, VSRA

The annual Excellence in Ship Repair awards breakfast.

Main Lobby

Ground-floor registration and information desk. Badge pickup, coat check, and the shuttle stop are all located here.

Grand Ballroom

Our main stage on the second floor overlooking the Elizabeth River. Seats 600 theater-style and hosts all keynotes, panels, and the New Year's Eve Gala.

Accessibility: elevator access from the Main Lobby; assistive listening available at the AV desk.

Exhibit Hall

18,000 sq ft of exhibitor booths, live demos, and the technology showcase on the ground floor. Complimentary coffee service throughout the day.

Workshop Room A

A hands-on lab configured for trade workshops. Personal protective equipment is provided; closed-toe shoes required.

Waterside Pavilion

A glass-walled waterfront pavilion for meals and networking, with a wraparound terrace facing the harbor.

Our 2027 summit is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors.

Presenting Sponsor

  • BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair

Gala Sponsors

  • Colonna's Shipyard
  • General Dynamics NASSCO
  • Marine Hydraulics International

Supporting Sponsors

  • Old Dominion University
  • Tidewater Community College
  • Fairlead Integrated

Interested in sponsoring? Contact the VSRA events team.

Event Date/Times

  • Thursday, December 31 2026
    8:00 AM — 5:00 PM
  • Friday, January 01 2027
    9:00 AM — 4:00 PM
  • Saturday, January 02 2027
    8:30 AM — 1:00 PM

Location

Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center
1 Waterside Dr
Norfolk, VA 23510
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