Marine Log’s TTB virtual event sees record attendance

Written by Heather Ervin
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TTB—Tugs, Towboats & Barges kicked off its first-ever virtual event with nearly 350 participants—triple the event’s attendance when it was Tugs & Barges. The event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is impacting most in-person conferences and tradeshows around the world.

In 2019, Marine Log decided to transform Tugs & Barges into TTB to include expanded coverage that would bring together vessel owners and operators from inland rivers to coastal waterways.

“It was unfortunate we had to convert TTB 2020 to a virtual platform, but we couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out,” says Jeffrey Sutley, publisher of Marine Log magazine. “TTB 2020 was already on track to being one of our strongest events in recent history and the virtual version surpassed those expectations by leaps and bounds. Marine Log’s virtual TTB event set records with three times the number of attendees registering to listen in.”

The two-day lineup of industry expert speakers covered a number of topics important to vessel owners and operators.

The event began with a presentation on a first-of-its-kind ATB LNG barge by Chad Verret, president of Q-LNG Transport and vice president of Harvey Gulf International Marine. Other topics included a Subchapter M panel to bring operators up to date during the COVID-19 pandemic; marine highways, container-on-barge and the operator’s perspective; the latest Foss Maritime tug projects; how to increase diversity and retention of women in the industry; an overview of the Andrew S tug project, the first Tier 4 ASD tractor tug on the Mississippi River; the future of towboat and tug propulsion; and more.

In addition to its speakers, TTB 2020 was backed by a number of sponsors, which included Bristol Harbor Group, JonRie InterTech, ABB, Gorhead Management Software, MTU – A Rolls Royce Solution, Hockema Whalen Myers Associates, Simplex Americas, Elliott Bay Design Group, Hiller, Kluber Lubrication, Ship Constructor USA, and MOPS Marine License Insurance.

Robert “Bob” Lennon, business development manager–Americas for Rexnord CENTA, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., moderated the event.

Depending on COVID-19 developments, TTB 2021 is scheduled to take place on March 23 through 24 in Mobile, Ala.

“We are hoping to switch the event back to a live event in 2021, but with things still being so unpredictable, we will keep everyone informed with updates as we continue to follow new developments on COVID-19,” says Sutley. “As far as TTB 2020, the Marine Log team would like to thank all of our speakers, sponsors and virtual attendees for making this our best event to date.”

  • You can see the recorded version of the event by registering HERE.
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