For three days in October, nearly 200 maritime operations professionals from 75 organizations filled the Fairmont Empress in Victoria for Helm Conference 2026. They left knowing where Helm CONNECT is headed, carrying ideas they could use the following Monday, and planning to come back to the industry’s favorite event.
If you were there, this is your souvenir. If you weren't, consider it the first step in making sure you’re there next year.
Looking for photos? Find them here.
Admiral stole the show
We unveiled Admiral, the new AI agent for Helm CONNECT, and the room didn't wait to be invited. Attendees headed straight from the announcement to the demo stations to try it. It drew the strongest reaction to any announcement in Helm Conference history, and it was easy to see why – nothing has ever given that much ability to save time and get what you want from Helm CONNECT before. We’ll have more to share on Admiral soon, so stay tuned.
Customers got their hands on what’s next
At our all-new Science Fair, attendees tested upcoming features alongside the people who built them. The questions, feedback, and side conversations that came out of it made it one of the most talked-about parts of the week. It’s one thing to hear about a new feature; it’s another to immediately get to play with it.
Operators learned from each other
Customers took the stage to share what's working in their fleets, and the Unconference turned the room into one big problem-solving session. More often than not, the answer you came looking for came from the operator sitting next to you.
Everyone went home sharper
Between hands-on training, technology partner presentations, and one-on-ones with product, support, and account managers, attendees flew home with fixes they could put in place right away.
“We are going home with more knowledge than we came with.” Ray Hoover, Laborde Marine
Thank you to our partners
Helm Conference doesn’t happen without the companies that back it. Our partners told us the room was full of decision-makers, and most of them left with real conversations to follow up on. Thank you for showing up and investing in this community.
Presenting Partner: AST Reygar
Technology Partners: Bergan Marine Systems, Carga, Houchens Insurance, KOTUG, LionRock Maritime, Marcura, Mobil, Procurify, and Rose Point
Conference Partner: Cetasol
Next year, be in the room
A recap can tell you Admiral was unveiled. It can’t put you at the center of the energy with your peers all around you. That part only happens in person.
Helm Conference heads to Pittsburgh in 2027. Get on the list for dates and registration, and sign up for the Admiral closed beta if you’d rather not wait until launch to see it.