PORTLAND, Maine — Diversified’s International WorkBoat Show is part of Trade Show Executive’s (TSE) Gold 100 Class of 2024, which recognizes the 100 largest trade shows from last year.
TSE spoke with Lauren Streeter, Event Director at Diversified, about the exhibition’s growth and upcoming edition — which is set for Dec. 3-5, 2025, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
ANDREW: What can you share about the show’s growth?
LAUREN: We’ve seen steady growth over the past few years, but it’s important to note that it is intentional growth.
As a trade show organizer, you want to be conscious of the fact that you can’t be all things to everyone.
For the WorkBoat Show growth is about evolving with the industry — expanding into areas like new technology through the Alternative Energy Pavilion, and diving deeper into existing sectors, like subsea technology and commercial diving. Our colocation with Underwater Intervention has been a great way to bring those communities into the fold and create a more comprehensive experience for our attendees, while still staying true to our core mission: serving commercial marine industry.
I do expect that growth to continue, but always in a way that adds real value for both our exhibitors and attendees.
ANDREW: The show is adding an international pavilion. What went into creating this opportunity?
LAUREN: It’s definitely an exciting time to be adding an international pavilion to the International WorkBoat Show. One of the biggest reasons is the U.S.’s strong reputation for boat building.
In the U.S., we have a wide range of climates and operation needs for vessels, and we are considered leaders in boat design and construction. Because of that, there’s strong interest from international buyers and exhibitors who want to be part of this market. Creating a dedicated destination on the show floor for these companies just made sense.
The International Business Hub will feature country-specific pavilions where buyers can connect with exhibitors from those regions and source products directly.
We also have an international delegation program for buyers. We work with a group in the U.S. government who helps us recruit international buyers to the event, specifically buyers who are looking for U.S.-made products and to connect with U.S. boat builders and designers to build vessels for them overseas.
Overall, we have a very robust international program, designed to bring value to both exhibitors and the attendees.
ANDREW: Do you expect the current geopolitical environment to impact the show’s international opportunities?
LAUREN: The current geopolitical climate does cause some challenges, in the sense that there are a lot of unknowns and things tend to change pretty quickly.
However, that is nothing new in this industry. We are very good at weathering storms and navigating difficult situations.
While there might be more uncertainty at the moment, it’s not something we see as a long-term concern, and so the pavilion goes on, the international buyer delegation goes on, and we will continue to make the most of the opportunities available to us right now.
ANDREW: How else do you expect this event to evolve this year and in the future?
LAUREN: Education is another huge component of the International WorkBoat Show … [and its] conference program is a major aspect of keeping the event on the cutting edge of the industry.
Our Conference Manager Jessica Galli works with our Executive Editor Eric Haun to make sure that we are on the cusp of the newest technology and the latest conversations, talking about the most recent challenges and solutions that are facing our industry.
We’ve built a really diverse and engaging education lineup for this year. The Main Stage program is completely free and will feature sessions on some of the most pressing topics in the industry. For those looking for a deeper dive, we have the paid WorkBoat Conference program and the Underwater Intervention technical program, which both offer specialized content.
This year, we’re also introducing a new, free Alternative Energy program to highlight innovations in emerging power solutions for the commercial marine market. On top of that, we’re bringing back our series of breakfast and lunch sessions, which provide attendees with the opportunity to hear from featured speakers in a more intimate setting while networking with industry peers.
ANDREW: What advice can you share for our readers?
LAUREN: Stay really close and connected with your customers.
A lot of the time, it’s easy to get carried away with all of the things that we think we should be doing or want to be doing, but the value and the ROI come from making sure there’s value for your customers.
Next week, I’m headed to a customer trip on the west coast to visit several of our customers and have conversations with them about their current challenges, what they’re looking for, and potential solutions.
Stay connected to your customers and let them guide what you do at the event and where you invest.
ANDREW: Personally, what excites you about the show this year?
LAUREN: Going back to New Orleans every year in December is something that I look forward to … but I think it’s really the opportunity to meet with everyone. Our industry is so large and spread across the country, and so it’s hard to see people on a regular basis.
It’s a lot of Teams and Zoom calls, and a lot of emails, but the International WorkBoat Show gives us an opportunity for people to meet face-to-face, shake hands, share a meal and reconnect.
At the end of the year, you can celebrate all the year’s accomplishments and discuss plans for the future. Maybe that’s the thing that remains the same as the show starts to evolve: It remains that annual meeting place for people to come together and it’s something we look forward to every year.
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