The Blue Zone Forum InnovAzul 2026 has surpassed 2,000 registrants for its fourth edition, which will take place from October 28 to 30 at the Cádiz Conference Center. This is the highest participation figure since the launch of this event dedicated to the blue economy, organized by the Cádiz Free Trade Zone and the University of Cádiz (UCA).
The number of registrations exceeds the figures for the three previous editions, which recorded more than 900 participants in 2023, around 1,500 in 2024, and more than 1,000 in 2025. The Free Trade Zone has promoted this initiative since its first edition and once again is partnering with the University of Cádiz as co-organizer, following their collaboration in 2024 and the 2025 edition, which was held jointly with Navalia.
The official opening is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, at 10:00 a.m., with the participation of Fran González, the State Delegate for the Cádiz Free Trade Zone, and UCA Rector Casimiro Mantell. Over three days, the event will bring together representatives of companies, institutions, universities, research centers, and organizations connected with maritime and marine sectors.
Fran González has linked the number of registrations to the interest generated by activities related to the blue economy, research, and knowledge transfer. The State Delegate also highlighted the diversity of participants in the forum, from students and young professionals to people with experience in sectors related to the sea, as well as increased international participation in this edition.
For his part, Casimiro Mantell identified the contribution of university knowledge and its application to the business community as among the event's objectives. The rector linked UCA's participation to its academic and scientific planning in areas related to the blue economy, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and internationalization, and also pointed to collaboration between universities, public administrations, and businesses as one of the key themes of this edition.
Under the slogan “Projecting in Blue”, the program will address issues related to the technological transformation of maritime activities, environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship, and career opportunities associated with blue economy sectors.
The topics on the agenda include ocean conservation; applications of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; sustainable coastal tourism; marine ecotourism; and the use of resources and waste from the marine environment to make value-added products. The program will also examine the decarbonization of maritime transport, the development of green ports, and various international projects related to economic activities connected with the sea.
The keynote address will be given by astronaut and researcher Sara García Alonso, who will open the program of specialist talks. Marine biologist and oceanographer Manu San Félix will take part on Thursday, October 29, while Olympic badminton champion Carolina Marín will speak on Friday, October 30. Actor and comedian Santi Rodríguez will close the event.
The three days will feature conferences, roundtable discussions, workshops, and parallel activities, as well as an exhibition area and spaces dedicated to culture, research, and the exchange of experiences among professionals from different sectors.
The international dimension of this edition will also be reflected in the preceding 29th Conference of Ibero-American Free Trade Zones, which will begin in Cádiz on Monday, October 26. This meeting will bring together representatives of free trade zones, international organizations, universities, ports, institutions, and companies from Europe and the Americas ahead of the start of InnovAzul.
One section of the program will be the Blue Economy Job Fair, scheduled for Thursday, October 29, on the second floor of the Cádiz Conference Center, from 11:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The event will offer more than 30 job and internship opportunities related to naval engineering, marine and environmental consulting, offshore activities, scientific research, underwater robotics, and technologies applied to the marine environment.
The fair will be aimed at students and recent graduates as well as experienced professionals wishing to learn about the hiring needs of participating companies. The program includes direct contact between candidates and organizations connected with the blue economy, along with presentations of various professional profiles and opportunities to enter the labor market.
The forum will also include activities focused on transferring scientific and technological knowledge to businesses. These spaces will involve universities, technology centers, companies, public administrations, and organizations connected with innovation, with the aim of identifying business applications for research findings and learning about the technological needs of maritime and marine sectors.
The organizers have also planned networking spaces for entrepreneurs, researchers, and business representatives to facilitate the exchange of information about projects in development, technological applications, and new economic initiatives related to the marine environment.
Blue Zone Forum InnovAzul 2026 is part of the ZF Blue Core-Business Incubator 4.0 project, 85% funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under Spain's ERDF 2021–2027 Multi-Regional Program, through the INCYDE Foundation.
