Ahead of the 8th annual European Maritime Day Conference, to be held in Piraeus, Greece, on 28 and 29 May next year, the European Commission is organising two information sessions for anyone wanting to get involved in the conference.

Next year\'s event, entitled \"Gateways to Maritime Growth\" will see politicians, experts, CEO\'s and policy makers come together to look at the role of ports, coasts and the maritime sector in delivering the sort of sustainable growth and jobs that Europe needs and is committed to.
EMD 2015 will see the new European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, address the high level plenary session on 28th May ahead of two days of thematic workshops touching on the different political and practical challenges facing ports, coastal cities, and the wider Blue Economy.

If you want to join Europe\'s maritime community and get involved in EMD 2015, there are two events in December where you can find out more on how to organise a workshop, exhibit or participate in networking events at the conference site in Piraeus:
1. Athens: Monday, 1 December 2014 at 10h00 – 12h30
Meeting hosted by the Representation of the European Commission in Greece (Vasilissis Sofias Avenue 2, 106 74 Athens).
2. Brussels: Thursday, 11 December 2014 at 9h30 – 12h00

Meeting hosted by the Permanent Representation of Greece to the European Union (19-21 Rue Jacques de Lalaing, 1040 Brussels).
EMD 2015 is organised by the European Commission in partnership with the Greek Ministry of Shipping, Maritime Affairs and the Aegean and the Municipality of Piraeus. It follows last year\'s successful conference in Bremen, Germany, and is now recognised as the premier event for Europe\'s maritime community to discuss and reflect the opportunities and challenges it faces.

ec.europa.eu