The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers has been expanding internationally in recent years. Almost 20% of SNAME members live outside of north america. In an attempt to have some face-to-face contact with existing members in these regions, SNAME has initiated a series of Collegia where SNAME members from north america can meet with international members in a particular region, listen to what their interests and needs are from a professional society and describe some of the existing and new initiatives which SNAME is implementing.

Some of the new initiatives include an upgraded web-site to give improved access to SNAME's considerable technical knowledge data bases, expanding the mentoring and young professional programs, expanding the technical and research program, etc. SNAME will hold the first Nordic Collegium on 8th October 2007 at DnV Headquarters at Høvik. And on the same day, the first SNAME South American Collegium will be held, jointly organized with their sister society in Brazil, SOBENA, and sponsored by petrobras. It is hoped that many of SNAME long-term members who live and work in these regions will be able to attend and take part in this program.

The format of the SNAME Collegia is to have a focused technical seminar on topics of interest in the particular region, but in addition, to allow plenty of time to meet colleagues, to network and to exchange ideas on the future of the profession and on the Society. These Collegia are consistent with the Society objectives above, by providing for the dissemination of knowledge, the chance to discuss with like-minded professionals and the opportunity to network in an intellectually stimulating and exciting environment. SNAME leaders for the Nordic Collegium are Peter Noble and Jack Mercier; the Rio de Janeiro Collegium is being led by Tom Mackey and Rob Tagg. Future plans are underway for Collegian in the Arabian Gulf region, the UK, China and elsewhere in 2008 and beyond.