Spring Conference

March 20, 2018
Washington, DC

One of AAPA's two annual membership meetings, the Spring Conference is held each year in Washington, DC, and features general sessions as well as committee and board meetings. Sessions focus on current trends in the maritime industry of relevance to all Western Hemisphere ports and US policy issues.

03/20/2018
World Economic and Trade Outlook Under Changes in Trade Policies

Introduction:

• Kurt Nagle, President and CEO, AAPA, Alexandria, VA

Speaker:

• Paul Bingham, Director, Hackett Associates, San Marino, CA

03/20/2018
Perception vs. Reality on Trade

Discussion Leader:

• Evelyn M. Suarez, The Suarez Firm, Washington, DC

Speakers:

• Bruce Stokes, Director, Global Economic Attitudes, Pew Research Center, Washington, DC
• Yuri Unno, Director for International Trade Policy, Toyota Motor North America, Inc., Washington, DC
• Julia K. Hughes, President, U.S. Fashion Industry Association, Washington, DC
• Brian Kuehl, J.D., Executive Director, Farmers for Free Trade, Sheridan, WY

03/20/2018
Canada and the United States: Partners in Economic Growth

Introduction:

• Denis Caron, President & CEO, Belledune Port Authority, Chairman, AAPA Canadian Delegation

Speaker:

• Hon. David MacNaughton, Ambassador of Canada to the United States of America

03/21/2018
Presentation of AAPA 2018 Port Person of the Year and Keynote Address

Introduction:

• Chris Fisher, Port Director & CEO, Port of Beaumont

Award Recipient and Speaker:

• The Honorable John Cornyn (R-TX), Majority Whip, U.S. Senate

03/21/2018
The Future of the Workforce

Facilitator:

• Dr. Noel Hacegaba, PPM, Chief Commercial Officer & Managing Dir. of Comm. Operations, Port of Long Beach, Chairman AAPA Professional Development Board

Speakers:

• Thomas C. Downs, Esq., Principal, Downs Government Affairs, Washington, DC – consultant to community and technical colleges in connection with the new Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence program
• Alexander Bond, Director, Center for Transportation Leadership, Eno Center for Transportation, Washington, DC
• Barbara Murray, Executive Director, TransPORTs – US DOL National Apprenticeship, Virginia Beach, VA

03/21/2018
Lessons Learned in Emergency Preparation and Response

Moderator and Speaker:

• Clement Reid, Port Director, Port Authority of the Cayman Islands, Chairman, AAPA Caribbean Delegation

Speakers:

• Sean Strawbridge, CEO, Port Corpus Christi
• John Thorington, Vice President of Government Affairs & Board Coordination, Port Tampa Bay

03/21/2018
Luncheon

Introduction:

• Paul Aucoin, Executive Director, Port of South Louisiana

Keynote Speaker:

• Hon. Garret Graves, Chairman, House Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, U.S. House of Representatives

∗∗∗ Special Presentation on the 107th AAPA Annual Convention, Valparaíso, Chile - Rafael Díaz-Balart, AAPA Latin American Coordinator, and Tom Hranac, AAPA Latin American Facilitator ∗∗∗

03/21/2018
U.S. Maritime Policy

Introduction:

• Kurt Nagle, President and CEO, AAPA, Alexandria, VA

Speaker:

• Richard Balzano, Deputy Maritime Administrator, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Washington, DC

03/21/2018
Congressional Views on Water Resources Development Act and Infrastructure Legislation

Moderator:

• Jim Walker, Director of Navigation Policy and Legislation, AAPA, Alexandria, VA

Speakers:

• Michael Edwards, Senior Legislative Assistant for Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02)
• Daniel Greene, Legislative Assistant for Senator Ed Markey (MA)
• Jeff Markey, Signal Group LC

03/21/2018
Infrastructure Proposals from Industry Partners

Moderator:

• John Young, Director of Freight and Surface Transportation Policy, AAPA, Alexandria, VA

Speakers:

• Edward L. Mortimer, Exec. Dir., Transp. Infrastructure, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Washington, DC
• Bill Sullivan, Executive Vice President of Advocacy, American Trucking Associations, Arlington, VA