GMISS
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The Global Maritime Information Sharing Symposium (GMISS) is an annual event hosted by the National MDA Coordination Office (NMCO) to align U.S. Government outreach to the maritime industry and improve and increase industry-government maritime information sharing partnerships.
Maritime information sharing has been demonstrated as an effective means of improving security, safety, and environmental protection, while increasing efficiency and reducing friction for legitimate commerce. The policies governing the U.S. federal government's use and sharing of information are being revised to permit and promote information sharing. GMISS provides the maritime industry with an ongoing forum to help shape the development of maritime information-sharing policies.
Symposium Framework
This annual symposium brings together representatives of the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies to collaborate on a global system of maritime information sharing.
The symposium supports the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) in developing a coherent federal outreach and coordination effort. Leading up to this symposium, the U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) had expressed the need to expand their relationship with industry as outlined in the Cooperative Strategy for a 21st Century Seapower. As government agencies have increasingly realized the benefits of partnering with the maritime industry, however, there has been a flurry of "commercial outreach" and a deluge of information requests that are overwhelming industry and rapidly eroding its eagerness and ability to respond . The maritime community, both directly and through its various associations, has expressed frustration and confusion over the seemingly uncoordinated efforts by government entities to support maritime trade and security and the demands being placed on maritime trade and security.
The GMISS was undertaken to harness this government's energy for engagement and to establish a means to coordinate a more cohesive dialogue between government and maritime industry representatives. GMISS is an opportunity to demonstrate that a USN/USCG/MARAD partnership can open the doors of communication to advance the maritime strategy further, and equally, begin to provide the coordination necessary to present a unified voice to the maritime community.
The long-range (multi-year) objectives of the GMISS include:
- Coordinate the U.S. Government's maritime commercial outreach
- Implement industry/government working groups
- Highlight specific government relationships
- Promote regional involvement
- Engage a diverse range of stakeholders
GMISS Working Groups
A key differentiator of GMISS from other government-to-maritime industry outreach conferences is the ongoing working groups of industry and government subject-matter experts, developed through the symposium, that continue to collaborate throughout the year. The working groups enable participants to help define the relationship between industry and government for information sharing.
As a multi-agency office coordinating maritime awareness efforts for the U.S. federal government, OGMSA coordinates participation by subject matter experts from across the government and brings issues before the decision makers who are shaping maritime information sharing policy through the National Maritime Domain Awareness Stakeholders Board and the U.S. Maritime Security Policy Coordinating Committee. OGMSA provides a working group administrator for each team of subject matter experts to coordinate issues through the interagency community.
Working Groups from previous GMIS symposia provide status reports at the following year's symposium, leading to resolutions, recommitments, or redefinitions of the issues.