By: Robert Hayes

An Event with Purpose

The University of Southern Mississippi is gearing up to host its very first TEDx event, titled TEDxSouthern Miss, set for October 9, 2025. Event organizer Jacob Breland, Director of the School of Leadership at USM, sees this as an opportunity to highlight a crucial yet often overlooked area: the “Blue Economy.” The event aims to spark conversations around how coastal economies and communities interact with the ocean and waterways.

In a recent interview, Breland shared insights into the motivation behind the event and why now is the perfect time to host it.

Defining the Blue Economy

For those unfamiliar with the term, the Blue Economy encompasses all economic activities connected to oceans, rivers, lakes, and coastal environments. Breland described it as “everything that happens on, under, or near the water,” which includes maritime transportation, aquaculture, tourism, national security, and even infrastructure resilience.

“It’s a relatively new term but gaining significant traction globally,” Breland explained. According to a United Nations report, the global Blue Economy was valued at about $1.5 trillion in 2020 and is expected to double by 2030.

The TEDxSouthern Miss event plans to approach the Blue Economy from multiple perspectives, touching on workforce development, blue technology—including unmanned maritime systems—and community resilience. Breland emphasized that the theme, “Relevant Economy,” is intentionally broad enough to foster discussions on everything from economic growth to the human impact of coastal living.

Connecting Coastal Communities

One reason Breland believes the Blue Economy is a crucial area for conversation is its unique challenges and opportunities for coastal regions like Southern Mississippi. Coastal infrastructure, for instance, faces ongoing maintenance issues due to saltwater corrosion and exposure to hurricanes. Breland pointed out, “Our building codes, regulations, and even day-to-day operations differ greatly from areas further inland.”

He recalled recent incidents illustrating the importance of this theme. For example, when neighboring states opened dam spillways, freshwater surged into the Gulf, devastating local oyster beds and severely impacting seafood markets. “Situations like these directly impact local businesses and livelihoods,” Breland noted, emphasizing how interconnected economic and environmental factors are in coastal communities.

Broadening the Conversation

Breland hopes the TEDxSouthern Miss event will not only highlight technical topics within the Blue Economy but also expand to broader community issues. “We don’t want the event to be solely technical,” he said. “We also want to discuss things like resilience, grit, and how communities come together during crises like hurricanes.”

By including conversations about everyday life in coastal regions, the organizers aim to make the Blue Economy relatable even to those unfamiliar with the term. Breland emphasized that the event’s talks would help people see how closely connected they are to the ocean, even in ways they may not realize.

Building Awareness and Opportunities

At its core, TEDxSouthern Miss seeks to generate awareness about how coastal living and maritime activities shape everyday life, infrastructure, and local economies. According to Breland, education and awareness are crucial first steps in creating resilient communities capable of tackling future challenges.

“Our main goal here is outreach and education,” he said. “We want to help people understand the significance of maritime and coastal activities—not just in terms of business, but also community well-being.”

The TEDx event complements the school’s ongoing initiatives, such as their recently launched Blue Economy Leadership Certificate program, funded by a U.S. Department of Labor grant. This initiative trains leaders who manage maritime environments and is already seeing strong community engagement.

Bringing the Community Together

Breland stressed the importance of hosting a TEDx event, calling it “a legitimizing moment” for USM’s ongoing work and research into coastal and maritime leadership. “TEDx is recognizable and credible,” he said. “It brings attention to important issues and gives our community a platform to share ideas that resonate widely.”

Ultimately, Breland hopes attendees will leave the event with greater awareness of how deeply the Blue Economy affects their lives. “It’s about connecting dots and building bridges,” he explained. “If people can see the links between their lives and these larger systems, then we’ve succeeded.”

Looking Ahead

TEDxSouthern Miss promises to be a thought-provoking event that shines a light on the complexities—and potential—of the Blue Economy and coastal resilience. Scheduled for October 9, 2025, at the University of Southern Mississippi, the event organizers are already seeing interest and enthusiasm build within and beyond their community.

To learn more or to register, visit the official TEDx event page at https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/61872.

Published by Zane L.