Skagit County Maritime Symposium

Maritime leaders from Skagit County are invited to the Skagit County Maritime Symposium from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 13 at Maple Hall in La Conner, to discuss issues and trends and hear from policymakers. The symposium, organized by EDASC, features local and state-level speakers from Washington Maritime Blue, state Department of Ecology and the Northwest Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology. Anacortes Mayor Laurie Gere and La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes will also speak. The symposium also serves as a kickoff for a new Skagit County maritime cluster, a group of industry leaders who have continued, meaningful dialog to advance the local maritime sector and interact with the state maritime cluster. “By creating this cluster, we will be asserting our place in that statewide ecosystem,” EDASC CEO John Sternlicht said. “It’s harder for areas outside Seattle to get attention. By planning and being intentional, we’ll have a better shot at funding and international opportunities.” The symposium includes time for Q&A and networking.