News Release
FOR RELEASE - June 25, 2008
Contact: Aaron Ellis, aellis@aapa-ports.org
703-706-4714

American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org

AAPA Port Security Seminar & Expo Set For Houston, July 16-18

Focus Is On Key Security & Safety Challenges Confronting Public Seaports

Seven years after 9/11, continually strengthening port security to thwart terrorism remains a top priority among public seaports.  The American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) 12^th Port Security Seminar and Exhibition, to be held in Houston, Tex., July 16-18, will address these concerns, focusing on the security and safety challenges confronting public seaport agencies and marine terminal operators throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The seminar will also feature a day-long exhibition on July 17 to showcase the latest security trends, technologies and products in the seaport industry.

"Port security continues to be one of the highest priorities for our member ports, both here in the U.S. and throughout the hemisphere," said Kurt Nagle, AAPA's president and CEO.  "This seminar will bring together top government officials, port leaders, terminal operators and private-sector security experts to share their knowledge and discuss best industry practices with their colleagues."

Some of the key topics to be discussed include implementing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program (including the devices that will eventually "read" the embedded biometrics in TWIC identification cards); working with federal port security program initiatives such as Operation Safe Port and the new "100 percent" cargo screening mandates; and planning for disaster recovery and continuity of business after a terrorist incident.

Other presentations and speaker panels will cover port security surveys, cruise terminal security, security at special events, counter-terrorism strategies, waterside security, cargo theft deterrence and railroad security at seaports.

Among the featured speakers will be Dr. Chuck Gallaway, deputy director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who will be the July 16 luncheon speaker, and Todd Owen, U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Cargo and Conveyance Security executive director, who will provide a presentation on Operation Safe Port, radiation portals and other federal port security program initiatives.

Hosting the seminar with AAPA will be the Port of Houston Authority.  Corporate sponsors include SecurePort, Lockheed Martin Corporation and ICx Technologies.

More information about AAPA's Port Security Seminar and Exposition is available at http://www.appa-ports.org/ (click on the "Programs & Events" tab) or by calling AAPA's Ed O'Connell at 703-684-5700.

WHO:	American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
WHAT:	Seminar covering key security and safety challenges confronting public seaports
WHEN:	Wednesday-Friday, July 16-18, 2008 (Day 1, 8:30am-7:30pm; Day 2, 8:45am-6pm; Day 3, 8:00am-12:30pm)
WHERE:	Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel, 1600 Lamar, Houston, TX  77010 Tel: (713) 739-8000
MEDIA:	Credentialed journalists interested in covering the seminar for media purposes are asked to contact Aaron Ellis, aellis@aapa-ports.org, to obtain a media pass.