Mayor Shannon Glover opens 2026 MAC conference in Portsmouth City, highlights vendor and STEM opportunities

Mayor Shannon Glover, mayor of Portsmouth City, opened the 2026 Multi‑Agency Craft (MAC) conference at North Landing, welcoming attendees and noting the event’s focus on small‑craft builders and maintainers. "This is an opportunity for them to share innovative ideas, to collaborate, to share best practices," Glover said, emphasizing connections between vendors and municipal users.

Glover contrasted small‑craft work with large‑ship maintenance performed by firms such as Newport News Shipbuilding and Norfolk naval shipyards and said MAC vendors can supply boats for police, fire and rescue departments. She also called the conference a chance for local youth to engage with maritime technologies through STEM programs. The mayor said she and Councilman Hugo worked with the American Society of Naval Engineers to bring the event to Portsmouth City and that the effort supports local businesses and long‑term workforce exposure to engineering careers.

The opening included a public demonstration that Glover described as resembling a popular culture figure and useful for engaging children in STEM; the mayor framed the demonstration as part of the conference’s programming rather than a procurement decision.