ITS 2012 Barcelona | Introduction

Now in its 44th year, the International Tug, Salvage & OSV Convention returns to Spain in 2012 after an absence of 10 years, heading for one of the world's most beautiful and sought-after cities: Barcelona. When the 17th Convention was held in Bilbao in May 2002, it welcomed 278 delegates and 57 exhibitors. This, the 22nd Convention, will see an anticipated 450 delegates and more than 150 exhibitors - a huge increase in the space of just a decade, reflecting the extraordinary and on-going success of the event.

Spain is, of course, home to some of the world's leading tug and OSV builders. The Port of Barcelona, meanwhile, has a 2000-year history and is of hugely significant contemporary commercial importance. ITS 2012 will take place at the city's excellent International Convention Centre, Barcelona, which is located on the beautiful seafront. Designed by the renowned Spanish architect Jose Duis Mateo, and opened in 2004, the Convention Centre is remarkable for its superb use of natural light. The prestigious facilities, which have already hosted key international events including the Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Heads of State and the World Conservation Congress (IUCN), are perfect for the ITS Conference and Exhibition, with plenty of space, and everything together under one roof.

Over the years, the ITS Convention has earned an enviable reputation for being the best of its kind, thanks to meticulous attention to detail. It attracts the senior players in the business from all over the world, affording them a unique opportunity once every two years to meet, learn and do business - a lot of business. To this end, we go to great lengths to make sure that delegates and exhibitors have every available opportunity to network. The coffee/tea breaks take place within the exhibition and exhibitors can take lunch with the delegates.

Barcelona is modern and cosmopolitan, with a gastronomic and cultural heritage second to none: a perfect backdrop for what we anticipate to be our most vibrant and dynamic Convention ever.