News Release
FOR RELEASE - May 6, 2013
Contact: Aaron Ellis, aellis@aapa-ports.org
703-684-5700

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

Ports Workshop To Explore Drivers In Maritime Economic Development

June 27-28 event in Chicago to analyze factors that influence port-related investments

The American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) 2013 Maritime Economic Development Workshop in Chicago, June 27-28, will explore the factors driving today’s investments in seaport and related infrastructure.  Program speakers will analyze the risks and rewards for undertaking such investments, reveal how capital improvements propel business development decisions, and discuss what influences intermodal connection improvements with ports. 

Addressing the issue of what is needed and what is being done to enhance landside and waterside freight connections with ports will be specialists representing port authorities, railroads, academia, government, private sector financing, freight supply chain logistics and industrial land development.

“Seaports are critical economic lifelines that rely on connecting transportation infrastructure to deliver prosperity,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA president and CEO.  “All ports make significant investments in both infrastructure improvements and modernization within their terminal gates and port authority boundaries. Just beyond these gates and boundaries however lie navigation channels, roads, bridges, tunnels and rail lines that are typically owned and controlled by others, including local, state and federal governments. 

“Today, many of these freight-handling connections require significant upgrades to be able to handle the increasing volumes of freight moving into and out of our ports daily.” he added.  “Sadly, the toll from under-investing in these connections will be seen in GDP losses of nearly $95 billion and 728,000 lost jobs in 2020.  It gets considerably worse after that.” 

(Click here to see AAPA’s “Endangered Seaports: The Big Picture” infographic detailing the impacts of under-investing in port connections.)

In addition to sessions focusing on port infrastructure investments, the workshop will also feature a discussion on port performance studies and delve into innovative business opportunities and trends in commercial and industrial property development.

Seminar presenters include (in alpha order by last name):

• Mr. Edward C. Anthes-Washburn, Director of Operations, Port of New Bedford, New Bedford, MA
• Mr. Randy Blankenhorn, Executive Director, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Chicago, IL
• Mr. Rick Blasgen, President/CEO, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, Lombard, IL
• Mr. Paul Bloom, Vice President, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Seattle, WA
• Mr. Steven “Greg” Borossay, Senior Manager, Trade & Cargo Development – Marine Division, Port of Portland, Portland, OR
• Ms. Mary R. Brooks, Ph.D., William A. Black Chair of Commerce, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
• Ms. Kristin Decas, Chair, AAPA Maritime Economic Development Committee and Executive Director, Port of Hueneme, Port Hueneme, CA
• Mr. Anthony G. Ianello, Executive Director, Illinois Int'l Port District - The Port of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Mr. Jeff Keever, Senior Deputy Executive Director, Virginia Port Authority, Norfolk, VA
• Mr. Brent Lindstrom, Director of Business Development, Neovia, Downers Grove, IL
• Ms. Nina Malone, Director, Business Analysis and Strategy, Virginia Port Authority, Norfolk, VA
• Mr. Jim Martell, CEO, Ridge Property Trust, Chicago, IL
• Mr. John C. Morris, Industrial Services Lead, Americas, Cushman & Wakefield, Rosemont, IL
• Mr. Dave Nelson, General Manager, Chicago Transportation Coordination Office and General Manager, Operations - CTCO Canadian Pacific Railway, Chicago, IL
• Mr. Richard Sharpe, CEO, Competitive Insights, Atlanta, GA
• Mr. Page Siplon, Executive Director, Center of Innovation for Logistics, Savannah, GA
• Mr. Jeffrey J. Sriver, CREATE Program Director, Chicago Dept. of Transportation, Chicago, IL
• Mr. Keith Stauber, Regional Managing Director – Industrial Services, Jones Lang LaSalle America, Inc., Chicago, IL
• Mr. Richard D. Stewart, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Business and Economics and Director, Transportation and Logistics Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Superior, Superior, WI
• Mr. William C. Thompson, P.E., CREATE Program Manager, Association of American Railroads, Chicago, IL
• Mr. Samuel Tuck III, Bureau Chief, Freight Rail and CREATE Program, Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago, IL
• Ms. Rachel C. Vandenberg, P.E., Vice President, AECOM, Los Angeles, CA
• Mr. Adam Wasserman, Managing Partner, Global Logistics Development Partners, Scottsdale, AZ

For more information about AAPA’s 2013 Maritime Economic Development Workshop program, agenda and location, click here.

WHO:	American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
WHAT:	Maritime Economic Development Workshop, hosted by the Illinois International Port District - Port of Chicago.
WHEN:	Business programs run 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 27; and from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 28.
WHERE:	Courtyard by Marriott – Magnificent Mile Chicago, 165 East Ontario Street, Chicago, IL
MEDIA:	Credentialed journalists interested in covering the 2013 Maritime Economic Development Workshop business agenda for media purposes are asked to contact Aaron Ellis, aellis@aapa-ports.org, to obtain a media pass.

Port Name: American Association of Port Authorities