Nearly 2,000 registered for the Blue Zone Forum, which starts on Wednesday
Topics Blue Zone Forum InnovAzul Palacio de Congresos de Cádiz Universidad de Cádiz Zona Franca de Cádiz
The Blue Economy meeting organised by Zona Franca and UCA brings together experts from October 28 to 30 and offers a job fair on Thursday.
Nearly 2,000 people have registered for the Blue Zone Forum Innovazul 2026, the Blue Economy meeting held in Cádiz from Wednesday, October 28 to Friday, October 30. The event is organised for the fourth year by the Zona Franca de Cádiz, in this edition together with the University of Cádiz (UCA).
The figure doubles that of the first edition, in 2023, when more than 900 participants registered. In 2024 there were 1,500 and last year, more than 1,000, as detailed by the organisation.
A job fair on Thursday
On Thursday, October 29, from 11:15 to 16:30, the Palacio de Congresos de Cádiz hosts a Blue Economy Job Fair on its second floor. It will bring together more than 30 job and internship opportunities in naval engineering, marine and environmental consulting, offshore work, scientific research, underwater robotics and new technologies applied to the marine environment.
The space is designed for students, recent graduates and experienced professionals who want to learn about the hiring needs of the participating companies and contact them directly.
Speakers and programme
Astronaut and researcher Sara García Alonso opens the programme with the inaugural talk. Marine biologist Manu San Félix and Olympic athlete Carolina Marín will also speak, with Marín taking part in the closing discussion. The motto of this edition is «Proyectando en azul» and the sessions will address innovation, sustainability, technology, entrepreneurship and employment, as well as issues such as the decarbonisation of maritime transport, green ports and sustainable coastal tourism.
The institutional opening will be on Wednesday, October 28 at 10:00, led by the State delegate in the Zona Franca, Fran González, and the rector of the UCA, Casimiro Mantell. The meeting is part of the ZF Blue Core-Vivero de Empresas 4.0 project, 85 % financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
How to take part
The forum is held at the Palacio de Congresos de Cádiz. To attend the Job Fair on Thursday, October 29, you must be on the second floor of the venue between 11:15 and 16:30. Information about the meeting can be found in the Blue Zone Forum InnovAzul 2026 listing.