News Release
FOR RELEASE - September 11, 2017
Contact: Lee Peterson (POLB) / Aaron Ellis (AAPA), aellis@aapa-ports.org
562-519-2177 (POLB) / 703-684-5700 (AAPA)
American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org
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The Port of Long Beach, the second busiest container port in North America and a trailblazer in goods movement and environmental stewardship, from Oct. 1 through Oct. 4 will host the 106th Annual Convention and Expo of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) - the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas.
In addition to being the Western Hemisphere’s largest gathering of seaport and maritime transportation professionals, the four-day program features a robust business agenda with specialists addressing topics ranging from global economics and trade policy, to supply chain optimization, infrastructure development and financing, workforce development and training, and designing multi-benefit restoration projects.
The event will be held in the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, where about 500 leading port, government, trade and transportation leaders, port-industry suppliers and subject-matter experts will assemble. Cindy J. Miller, president of UPS Global Freight Forwarding, will serve as the convention’s keynote speaker during the luncheon program on Oct. 3.
“We’re excited to welcome the AAPA 2017 Convention to our beautiful city of Long Beach, California,” said Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach. “This is a pivotal time for the seaport industry and community, and with this convention we’ll explore the most important issues that we all face. And, we’ll also take you to explore our port, the nation’s No. 1 customer service port, where we’re modernizing our facilities and preparing for an economically strong and environmentally sustainable future.”
Reflecting on Mr. Cordero’s passion for his “Green Port of the Future,” AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle said, "AAPA and our member ports look forward to returning to Long Beach and its wonderful Southern California ‘vibe’ for our annual convention. Combining its inviting mix of corporate centers, educational institutions and world-class seaport, the city of Long Beach is an ideal location to bring together port representatives from throughout the hemisphere to collaborate on key industry issues and strengthen trading relationships. We greatly appreciate the hospitality of Mario Cordero and his port’s Board of Commissioners for hosting this international event."
On the final day of the program, which will also feature AAPA’s annual awards luncheon, representatives of the Port Long Beach, Port of Stockton, Port of Los Angeles and Port of New Orleans will share their perspectives on award-winning best practices in communications, environmental improvement, information technology and facilities engineering, respectively.
More information about AAPA’s 106th Annual Convention and Expo, including its business program agenda, exhibitors and sponsors, is available at http://aapa2017.com/
| WHO: |
American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and Port of Long Beach. |
| WHAT: | AAPA’s 106th Annual Convention and Expo, featuring a host of leading port, corporate, government, education and legal specialists, together with UPS Global Freight Forwarding President Cindy J. Miller as the event’s keynote speaker. |
| WHEN: |
Oct. 1-4, 2017 |
| WHERE: | Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, 300 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802 |
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MEDIA: |
Professional journalists representing bona-fide media outlets may request a “comp code” to gain access to open business sessions (Oct. 3-4) by contacting Mario Gonzalez, Port of Long Beach’s manager of community relations, at telephone (562) 619-0087 or email at mario.gonzalez@polb.com. |
About Port of Long Beach
The Port of Long Beach is one of America’s premier seaports and a trailblazer in goods movement and environmental stewardship. The second-busiest container seaport in the U.S. moving over $180 billion in trade annually, the port also offers specialized terminals that move petroleum, automobiles, cement, lumber, steel and other products. A major economic force generating roughly $16 billion in annual trade-related wages statewide, the Port of Long Beach supports over 30,000 jobs in Long Beach, 316,000 jobs throughout Southern California and 1.4 million jobs throughout the nation. For more information, visit www.polb.com
About AAPA
Founded in 1912, today AAPA represents 130 of the leading seaport authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean and more than 200 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in seaports. According to IHS World Trade Service, combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere ports in 2014 totaled 3.48 billion metric tons in volume and US$3.75 trillion in value. Of that total, ports in Central and South America handled 1.68 billion metric tons of cargo valued at US$1.36 trillion, while North American ports handled 1.79 billion metric tons of goods, valued at US$2.39 trillion. To meet the growing demand for trade, AAPA and its members are committed to keeping seaports navigable, secure and sustainable. For more information, visit www.aapa-ports.org
