News Release
FOR RELEASE - August 27, 2008
Contact: Aaron Ellis, aellis@aapa-ports.org
703-706-4714

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

American Association Of Port Authorities To Hold 97th Annual Convention In Anchorage, Sept. 21-25

‘Flags Of Our Fathers’ Author James Bradley To Speak

As the largest city in Alaska and home to one of the nation's 19 "strategic" seaports, Anchorage will be the site of the American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) 97^th Annual Convention and Exhibition, Sept. 21-25.  The "North to Alaska"-themed convention, the first to be held in Anchorage's brand-new downtown Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center, will attract hundreds of seaport and maritime transportation leaders, industry experts and service providers to participate in a business agenda featuring many of the seaport industry's key issues and top executives.

Serving as the convention's special guest speaker will be James Bradley, noted author of the New York Times' #1 best-seller, "Flags of Our Fathers," from which the Clint Eastwood-directed movie of the same name was released in late 2006.  The title of Mr. Bradley's inspirational presentation is, "Doing the Impossible."

Kurt Nagle, AAPA's president and CEO, remarked that the location of this year's Port of Anchorage-hosted convention conjures up images of an urban oasis surrounded by rugged wilderness, bountiful wildlife, glacier-fed rivers and mesmerizing Native Alaskan culture. 

"Convention participants," said Mr. Nagle, "are in for a true ‘Alaska experience' while taking part in a comprehensive business program with some of the seaport industry's top leaders discussing challenges ranging from port expansion, project financing and freight mobility, to new environmental and security measures at cruise ports."

On Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m., Mr. Nagle, together with AAPA's chairman of the board and chair-elect, will hold an informal media briefing in the convention center's 2^nd floor K'enakatnu Executive Boardroom to discuss seaport industry issues and answer questions.

The convention will conclude with a members-only annual meeting and installation of new officers for the Association's upcoming year, including appointment of Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., as Chairman of the Board for 2008-2009.

Additional information about AAPA's 97^th Annual Convention and Exhibition, including the business program agenda and media registration, is available at  http://www.aapa2008.com/.

WHO:	American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
WHAT:	97th Annual Convention & Exhibition
WHEN:	Sunday, Sept. 21 - Thursday, Sept. 25
WHERE:	The new Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center in downtown Anchorage
MEDIA:	Register for media access to open meetings (Sept. 23-25) at http://www.aapa2008.com/  An informal media briefing will be held from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, in the K'enakatnu Executive Boardroom (2nd Fl. level)