Day 2 – Where Innovation Meets Opportunity
The Business Forum at WCFS 2025 is a dedicated platform for connecting high-potential projects with international visibility. It brings together companies, innovators, and strategic partners to share solutions, form new alliances, and present their work to a global audience.
This is where the future of floating solutions takes shape – through collaboration, dialogue, and visibility.
Attend Business Forum Only – One-Day Ticket Available
If you can’t join WCFS 2025 for the full three days, a
One-Day Ticket is available for Tue 2 September.
This ticket gives you full access to all Business Forum sessions, networking opportunities, and on-site catering for the day.
It can also be purchased as a bundle with the
Closing Banquet Dinner in the evening.
What to Expect
The Business Forum takes place on Day 2 of the WCFS 2025 program and is divided into three themed content blocks, each following a shared storyline.
Every block begins with an expert panel discussion addressing key questions, challenges and barriers related to floating solutions. This is followed by presentations from partner organisations, who offer practical innovations and proposals in response to the issues raised.
Day 2 Program
Panels will include voices from funding, policy and development.
Each presentation will be followed by an interactive Q&A, creating opportunities for live dialogue between presenters and participants.
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| 08:30- 09:00 | Registration | |
| 09:00- 09:10 | Opening Remarks | Organizing Committee |
BLOCK I. URBAN PLANNING & CITY DEVELOPMENT
| 09:10-09:35 | Panel Discussion: “Shaping Cities: Urban Planning Challenges and Success Stories” | Moderator: Koen Olthius, Waterstudio Speakers: Emily Bates, Calton Planning and Development Arnoud Molenaar, former Chief Resilience Officer at City of Rotterdam Jari Huhtaniemi, City of Helsinki |
| 09:35-09:50 | Keynote Speech I: Case study I – Bay Area Homes | Carolina Jimenez, Bay Area Floating Homes |
| 09:50-10:05 | Keynote Speech II: Case study II – Verkkosaari Project | Tytti Sirola, Bluet Floating Solutions |
| 10:05-10:30 | Coffee break |
BLOCK II: INVESTMENT & WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
| 10:30-11:05 | Panel Discussion: “Why or why not to invest in floating infrastructure?” | Moderator: Christiaan Weiler, Blue Revolution Foundation Speakers: Jaani Pietikäinen, European Investment Bank Per Arild Åland, DNV Timo Ketonen, A’Pelago |
| 11:05-11:40 | Keynote Speech III: Infrastructure Solution I – “Unlocking the potential of floating solutions for energy alternatives for powering communities/industries/cities – FSRU/FSU/Power barges solutions” | Anna Apostolopoulou, Lloyd’s Register Rene Timmerman, Lloyd’s Register |
| 11:40-12:00 | Keynote Speech IV: Infrastructure Solution II – “MEYER Floating Solutions & A Shipbuilding-Based Approach to Waterfront Development” | Kaj Casén, MEYER Floating Solutions |
| 12:00-12:20 | Keynote Speech V: Infrastructure Solution III – “Emerging Frontier Business at Shimizu Corporation” | Shinji Kobayashi, Shimizu Corporation Akane Takahashi, Shimizu Corporation |
| 12:20-12:40 | Keynote Speech VI: Infrastructure Solution IV – “Decentralized Solar Desalination for Independent Clean Water Production” | Antti Pohjola, Solar Water Solutions |
| 12:40-13:30 | Lunch | Restaurant Plats, at Hanaholmen |
BLOCK III: PUBLIC FUNDING
| 13:30-13:50 | Panel Discussion: “Financing the Future: Rethinking Public Funding” | Moderator: Jussi Muurikainen, Liquido.vc Speakers: Virpi Mikkonen, Business Finland Emmi Nahi, Business Finland Otto Lindstedt, Finnvera |
| 13:50-14:20 | Keynote Speech VII: Case study I – Vinnytsia on the Water Project | Serhii Morhunov, Mayor of Vinnytsia City Vitalii Humeniuk, HSL+ |
| 14:20-14:50 | Keynote Speech VIII: Case study II – Ukrainian- Dutch- Finnish Project Consortium | Vladyslav Skalskyy, Deputy Mayor of Vinnytsia City Vitalii Humeniuk, HSL+ |
| 14:50-15:00 | Pre-Closing remarks |
| 15:00-17:00 | Matchmaking session | |
| 19:00- 22:00 | Closing Networking Dinner (optional) |
Matchmaking Networking Session:
Meet, match and mingle – 1-on-1 Networking Hub (B2match, powered by EEN)
Before and throughout the conference, participants can use B2match – powered by Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) – to schedule 20-minute one-to-one meetings with company representatives, project leads and other attendees.
Access to the matchmaking platform is open to all registered WCFS 2025 participants.
Register for the conference, then register for the B2match matchmaking tool to pre-book meetings with other participants.
Global Floating Offshore Installations (FOI) Director, Lloyd’s Register
CEO, MEYER Floating Solutions Ltd
Lead Architect, MEYER Floating Solutions Ltd
former Chief Resilience Officer at City of Rotterdam
Founder, Liquido.vc & The Bridge of Trust
Co-Founder, Waterstudio NL & Dutch Docklands
Chief Engineer, CoFounder Bluet Floating Solutions
Partner Architect, Waterstudio.NL
Shimizu Corporation
Offshore Business Development Manager North Europe, Marine & Offshore bij Lloyds Register EMEA
KMPG Australia
Become a Partner
Presentation and speaking opportunities in the Business Forum are available to official WCFS 2025 partners.
As a partner, your organisation will:
- Be featured in the Business Forum program
- Present your services or project during the event
- Gain international visibility across WCFS promotional channels.
- Engage in Q&A and structured networking
This is a unique opportunity to position your organisation at the forefront of the floating solutions industry.
Interested in becoming a partner?
Contact our Event Manager Jouni Virtanen at jouni.virtanen@bluet.fi or +358 50 4771 196.