The annual two-day event features discussions on the energy industry, cybersecurity, port cooperation, economic impacts, infrastructure funding, trade facilitation and environmental sustainability. Two Port Person of the Year award presentations will be made.
Member-only meetings of port directors, regional port delegations and five of AAPA’s 13 technical committees (cruise, executive, finance, maritime economic development and public relations) will take place.
At a session titled 'The Rising Economic Impacts of US Seaports – New Findings,' economist Dr. John Martin of Martin Associates will present his firm’s latest findings on the jobs, personal income, tax revenues and overall economic value associated with the US seaports system.
Among the key US officials scheduled to speak are Adm. Paul Zukunft, commandant of the Coast Guard, who will discuss cybersecurity risks at America’s seaports; Deputy US Trade Representative Robert Holleyman, who will detail trade facilitation efforts; and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy, who will tell how ports can create a sustainable environment. Various US lawmakers will talk about their legislative efforts.
Serving as the April 20 luncheon speaker is Guillermo Ruiz de Teresa, general coordinator of Mexico's ports and merchant marine. He oversees a sector that plans total port infrastructure investment of more than 76m pesos (about US$5bn) by 2018.
AAPA Spring Conference program details are here.
