MOTN-a model for employing a collaborative strategy fostering economic and technological success in the Marine & Oceanographic community

Over the past 8 years, the Marine & Oceanographic Technology Network (MOTN) has established itself as a successful and unique industry collaborative, geared toward improving both the economic and technological positions of its New England regional members. MOTN´s diverse membership consisting of over 70 industrial, academic and government organizations, provides MOTN with a very broad-based view of the ocean marketplace. Despite several challenges, MOTN continues to grow, and its membership continues to benefit directly from this broad based perspective, through a variety of organizational initiatives and sponsored events. This paper will present an overview of MOTN´s inception, its structure, growth and its planned future. The Paper will also provide specific information relative to how the strength and breadth of the combined membership is being used to launch several new strategic initiatives that promise to fuel the growth of the organization in the years to come.