News Release
FOR RELEASE - October 2, 2019
Contact: Aaron Ellis, Public Affairs Director, aellis@aapa-ports.org
(703) 684-5700
American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org
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Among the highlights of the 108th Annual Convention and Expo of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) … the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas … will be a luncheon featuring the annual Chairman’s Address, in which AAPA Chairman of the Board William Friedman will recap his tenure as the association’s leader for the past year.
“It’s been my honor and privilege to chair AAPA since last October when we held an historic, first-ever meeting in South America in Valparaiso, Chile,” said Mr. Friedman. “I look forward to gathering with colleagues and associates again in Norfolk for what I know will be a great convention. It’s been an eventful year that included finding a successor to retiring, long-time AAPA CEO Kurt Nagle. In addition, our association advanced many critical policy initiatives such as funding for port infrastructure. The future is very bright for ports across our hemisphere thanks to the unified strength of our members through AAPA.”
Also speaking at this luncheon will be Major General Jeffrey L. Milhorn, commander and division engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, who will discuss the current state of America’s ports, as well as address future issues that the industry could face, such as impacts from global climate change.
“Maintaining our nation’s ports is absolutely vital to our country’s overall economic health,” said Major General Milhorn. “Therefore, we must focus on sustaining these critical economic engines today, while also keeping an eye forward toward innovative solutions so they can continue to thrive well into the future.”
Sponsoring the luncheon is Van Scoyoc Associates, which has been developing and executing tailored government affairs strategies for its clients for more than a quarter-century. “Working with our seaport clients, advocating for them in Washington, DC, and seeing the results of those efforts improve global trade efficiencies, has been a rewarding experience for us,” said John Anderson, vice president at the firm based in Washington, DC. “We’re pleased to sponsor this luncheon in recognition of the important work AAPA does for the maritime industry in the Americas.”
Additionally, just confirmed as the keynote speaker for the convention’s Tuesday luncheon is Harris Ligon, the strategy and planning lead for Uber Freight, a cloud-based, on-demand, full truck-load freight brokerage service that is one of Uber Technologies’ newest ventures. Mr. Ligon joined Uber in early 2017 to launch the new service.
The convention’s three-day business program features a robust agenda, with industry leaders and subject matter experts focusing on topics ranging from ports as economic development engines, to technology and big data, cargo transportation efficiency, trade policy, emergency response and cybersecurity.
More information about AAPA’s 108th Annual Convention and Expo, including its business program agenda, exhibitors and sponsors, is available at https://federalconference.swoogo.com/aapavirginia2019/.
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WHO: |
Hosted by The Port of Virginia for the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) |
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WHAT: |
AAPA’s 108th Annual Convention and Expo will feature presentations by AAPA Chairman of the Board Will Friedman and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Major General Jeffrey L. Milhorn during its Oct. 16 luncheon. |
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WHEN: |
The convention runs Oct. 13-16, with open business sessions all day Oct. 15 and 16. |
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WHERE: |
Hilton Norfolk The Main, 100 East Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 |
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MEDIA: |
Professional journalists representing bona-fide media outlets may request a code by emailing Aaron Ellis at aellis@aapa-ports.org or Joe Harris at jharris@portofvirginia.com to register online for complimentary access to the opening day harbor tour, the open business sessions (Oct. 15-16), the exhibition hall, and the closing reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 16. Journalists registering online should select the “Media” registration option after receiving their code. |
About The Port of Virginia
The Port of Virginia, headquartered in Norfolk, is comprised of four marine terminals, two intermodal container transfer facilities and a barge terminal. It has on-dock, double-stack rail served by two Class One rail lines, Norfolk Southern and CSX. The Port of Virginia is located within one day’s drive of two-thirds of the nation’s population and regularly serves vessels in excess of 14,000 TEUs. The port is mid-way through a $695 million expansion project that will increase annual container capacity by 40 percent by 2020. It has 50’ deep channels and recently received approval to deepen its channels to 55’ and widen to 1,300’.
About AAPA
Founded in 1912 and recognized as the unified voice of seaports in the Americas, AAPA today 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 Markit’s World Trade Service, combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere ports in 2017 totaled 4.303 billion metric tons in volume and US$2.675 trillion in value. Of that total, ports in Central and South America handled 1.741 billion metric tons of cargo valued at US$1.024 trillion, while North American ports handled 1.90 billion metric tons of goods, valued at US$2.305 trillion. To meet the growing demand for trade, the AAPA and its members are committed to keeping seaports navigable, secure and sustainable. For more information, visit www.aapa-ports.org. On Twitter: http://twitter.com/AAPA_Seaports
