The 2015 Educators Association (NMEA) conference kicks off this week in Newport.

The five-day event begins Sunday evening with a reception headlined by Rhode Island Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed and Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano.

Southeastern New England Marine Educators (SENEME), a regional NMEA chapter, is hosting this year's event. SENEME focuses on promoting marine education in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

This year's conference will include more than 150 multidisciplinary sessions and plenaries.

More than 300 marine education professionals from around the world are expected to attend this year's conference.

NMEA is the only professional organization dedicated to those who educate others on marine and aquatic environments.

NMEA is member-based organization of classroom teachers, informal educators, university professors and scientists.