SNAME Maritime Convention Lands in Houston October 28-30, Bringing Maritime Professionals Together to Shape the Future

HOUSTON, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) will bring the maritime community together in Houston, Texas, October 28–30 for the 2026 SNAME Maritime Convention (SMC 2026), a three-day gathering expected to welcome approximately 500 maritime industry professionals from across the naval architecture, marine engineering, shipbuilding, vessel operations and technology communities.

Held at the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria, SMC 2026 will provide a forum for industry leaders, engineers, naval architects, students, researchers and maritime innovators to exchange ideas, explore emerging technologies and connect around the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the industry. The convention theme is "Shaping the Future: Technologies and Processes to Improve Shipbuilding, Design, and Operations."

"SMC is where the maritime community comes together to share knowledge, build relationships and look ahead at what is next for our industry," said Rich Mueller, SNAME President. "This year's program will bring excellent panel discussions and technical sessions to industry professionals. We're excited to introduce students and the next generation of maritime leaders to innovative companies and projects. If you want to understand where our industry is headed and help shape what comes next SMC is the place to be." 

Beyond the technical program, SMC 2026 will offer a wide range of opportunities for connection, recognition and discovery, including:

Pre-Convention Program Highlights (October 28)

• ABS LNG Symposium: Gain specialized insight into LNG-related technologies, engineering and industry developments through dedicated symposium programming.
• Student Design Competition: Showcase the creativity and technical talent of emerging naval architects and marine engineers through SNAME's student design competition.
• President's Reception: Connect with fellow SNAME members, industry leaders and guests in a setting designed for networking and community-building.

Key Convention Features(October 29-30)

• Keynote and Panel Discussions: Hear from industry leaders and experts on emerging technologies, industry trends and the future of shipbuilding, design and operations.
• Technical Discussions: Explore technical research, engineering practices and new approaches across the maritime industry, with technical sessions scheduled for October 29–30.
• PDH Credits & Continuing Education: Technical Sessions providing Professional Development Hour (PDH) credits.
• Awards Gala: Celebrate the achievements, contributions and leadership of individuals and organizations advancing naval architecture and marine engineering.
• Wavemakers Podcast & Innovation Stage: Hear fresh perspectives, conversations and ideas from maritime innovators and thought leaders in an engaging, live format.
• Membership Lounge: Meet fellow SNAME members, renew your membership, order publications, share ideas, connect with volunteers and learn more about opportunities to get involved with the Society.
• Job Fair: Bring employers and maritime professionals together to explore career opportunities and help build the industry's future workforce.
• Student Paper Awards: Outstanding student papers, both undergraduate and graduate, will be recognized. These include prizes and awards in multiple categories.
• Student Programming: Provide students with opportunities to learn from professionals, network with industry, explore careers and engage with peers from across the maritime community.

SMC Support:

SMC is supported by the participation of our sponsors, exhibitors, and corporate affiliates including:

Ashcroft Engineering & Analytics

ABS

Aurelia

Beier Integrated Systems

Boll Filter Corporation

Bristol Harbor Group

Bruce Rosenblatt & Associates, LLC

Canal Marine

Chevron

Compass Rose Maritime

Convergent Science, Inc.

Creative Systems, Inc.

Endress & Hauser

Fireboy – United Safety

Genoa Design International

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works

Gibbs & Cox

Glosten

Gulf Marine Repair

Hanwha Defense

Herbert- ABS Software Solutions LLC

Hoppe America, Inc.

HII-NNS

Integris Composites, Inc.

Jastram Engineering Ltd.

Kongsberg

Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (Marin)

Maya HTT

NAPA

NETSCo

Orca3D, LLC

Philadelphia Gear

PipeCloud Oy

Rehlko

Saronic

Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards

Ship Architects

Siemens

SSI

Standard Calibrations, Inc.

T-Drill Industries, Inc.

The Shearer Group, Inc.

Thordon Bearings, Inc.

TAI Engineers

Tridentis

Vard Marine, Inc.

W&O

Media Partners

SNAME's collaborates with industry media partners which include:

Marine Log (premier media partner)

MT Magazine

Marine Link

Maritime Executive

Ports Publishing

Green Marine

When & Where

• Dates: Pre‑Convention activities begin Wednesday, October 28; technical sessions, panels, and all main programming take place on Thursday & Friday, October 29‑30.
• Venue: Royal Sonesta, Houston, TX

Why Attend

Attendees will:

• Connect across the maritime industry - SMC brings together professionals from across traditionally distinct sectors, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, find new partners, and tackle complex challenges from multiple perspectives.
• Apply new ideas from the technical program to your work - Hear from experts tackling real-world challenges in design, production, automation, AI and autonomy, additive manufacturing, operations, and more.
• Invest in the next generation - Engage with students and early-career professionals, discover emerging talent, and help strengthen the future of the maritime workforce. SMC 2026 will also feature a Student Poster Wall showcasing student innovation and research. 
• Celebrate colleagues at the SMC 2026 Awards Gala – Celebrate industry excellence at the SMC 2026 Awards Gala, featuring keynote speaker Anthony Fisher, Chief of Staff at the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD).

For registration, program information and event details, visit SNAME's SMC 2026 website. SNAME Maritime Convention 2026 | SNAME

About SNAME

Founded in 1893, The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) is an internationally recognized, nonprofit professional society dedicated to advancing the art, science and practice of naval architecture, marine engineering, ocean engineering and other marine-related professions. With more than 4,000 members in 95 countries, SNAME connects maritime and ocean professionals from academia, industry, and government into a vibrant international network. For more information, visit www.sname.org.

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SOURCE Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers