CEO Corner
Updates from Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams is the President & CEO of the Pacific Battleship Center, home of the Battleship IOWA, LA Fleet Week, and the National Museum of the Surface Navy. A purpose-driven leader and storyteller, he shares updates and insights from one of the nation’s most innovative nonprofit organizations. His writing explores leadership, community, and culture — connecting lessons from the deck plate to the boardroom while highlighting the people, progress, and purpose that continue to drive the mission forward.
Newest Updates
STEM Challenge: Buoyancy
How Does a Battleship Float? Exploring the Science of Buoyancy How can a massive battleship made of thousands of tons of steel float on water? The answer is buoyancy—one of the fundamental principles of science, engineering, and naval architecture. In this Battleship USS IOWA Weekly STEM Challenge, students explore the science behind why some objects float while others sink and discover how the principles of buoyancy help enormous ships like the Battleship USS IOWA remain afloat. What Is...
STEM Lesson: Animal Buoyancy with Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
How Do Marine Animals Control Buoyancy? How do marine animals float, sink, or remain suspended in the ocean? The answer comes down to buoyancy—the same scientific principle that helps a massive ship like the Battleship USS IOWA stay afloat. In this STEM education video, Battleship USS IOWA Museum and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, California, explore the science of animal buoyancy and the fascinating ways marine organisms adapt to life in the ocean. The lesson looks at how marine...
Battleship IOWA Receives $500,000 Timken Foundation Gift to Launch Engineering Career Track
Gift Advances STEM Education and Inspires the Next Generation of Maritime Engineers SAN PEDRO, Calif. – March 3, 2026 – Pacific Battleship Center (PBC), the 501(c)3 non-profit that owns and operates Battleship IOWA, the National Museum of the Surface Navy, and Los Angeles Fleet Week, announced a $500,000 gift from the Timken Foundation to support the development of a new Engineering Career Track within Battleship IOWA’s National Museum of the Surface Navy experience. The Engineering Career...
A Wedding Venue Unlike Any Other: Celebrate Aboard Battleship IOWA
A Waterfront Event Venue at the Center of San Pedro’s Next Chapter
Host a waterfront event aboard Battleship IOWA, steps from the LA World Cruise Center, West Harbor, Downtown San Pedro, and the Port of Los Angeles.
A Meaningful Place to Mark a Military Milestone
Host a promotion, retirement, reenlistment, commissioning, memorial, or Chief pinning ceremony aboard historic Battleship IOWA in San Pedro.
Which Battleship IOWA Event Space Is Right for Your Event?
Compare indoor and outdoor event spaces aboard Battleship IOWA, including the Bow, Fantail, Captain’s Cabin, Veranda, Wardroom, and more.
Host Your Event Inside Living History Aboard Battleship IOWA
PLAN AN EVENT ABOARD BATTLESHIP IOWA
For availability, site visits, catering options, enhancements, and a custom proposal, contact events@labattleship.com.
Battleship IOWA: One of Southern California’s Most Distinctive Event Venues
Turn Your Next Corporate Event Into an Experience Aboard Battleship IOWA
Host an executive off-site, leadership retreat, client reception, meeting, or company celebration aboard Battleship IOWA on the LA Waterfront.
Limited time only beginning on September 5, 2026!
Kids Board Free
In the all-new Life of a Sailor experience, kids become sailor recruits, building their skills, following the story of a famous sailor, and joining Vicky the Dog on a scavenger hunt through Battleship IOWA.
Kids board free with a paid adult.