News Release
FOR RELEASE - January 22, 2020
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

AAPA Conference in Tampa to Delve Into Many Issues Affecting Ports, Shipping & Trade

U.S. and Panamanian officials, port authority, terminal operating and freight transportation leaders, along with other executives from the supply chain and goods movement industry are slated to present remarks in Tampa, Fla., Jan. 29-30, at the 2020 Shifting Trade Conference of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) – the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas.

“This year’s Shifting Trade conference is going to be extraordinary, with key business, port and government officials, along with top subject matter experts, delving into issues that are making national and international news.  We’re particularly pleased have top officials speaking from the Panama Canal Authority, the U.S. Maritime Administration, the U.S. Export/Import Bank and the association representing foreign trade zones in the United States,” said AAPA President and CEO Chris Connor.  “The insights provided by these and our other presenters will help answer questions about the causes and effects of today’s shifting trade patterns and the resulting impacts on goods movement infrastructure.”

Also weighing in on the Jan. 29-30 conference was Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson. “Port Tampa Bay is pleased to host the American Association of Port Authorities during this year’s Shifting Trade Conference. The event gathers some of the brightest minds from the maritime industry and gives our port the opportunity to share our recent success in growing and diversifying our operations. I look forward to working with my talented colleagues to move our industry forward,” he said.  

Among the conference highlights will be:

• Addresses by Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, William Paape, acting associate administrator for intermodal system development at the U.S. Maritime Administration; Kim Reed, president and chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States; and Erik Autor, president of the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones.
• Case studies in evolving technologies and distribution center logistics.
• Market snapshots into cargo shipping, including ocean containers, roll-on, roll-off cargoes (or “Ro-Ro”) and refrigerated goods.
• Discussions on international supply chain sourcing, foreign trade zone uses, changing demands for energy-related commodities, the new global fuel standards, and maritime industry workforce development.

For more information about AAPA’s 2020 Shifting Trade conference agenda and speakers, click here.

WHO:	Hosted by American Association of Port Authorities and Port Tampa Bay.
WHAT:	AAPA’s Shifting Trade event.
WHEN:	Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 29-30, 2020.
WHERE:	Tampa Marriott Water Street, 505 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602
MEDIA:	Professional journalists representing bona-fide media outlets may register for complimentary access to open business sessions (Jan. 29, 8:30am – 5:00pm and Jan. 30, 8:45am – Noon) by emailing Aaron Ellis at aellis@aapa-ports.org  and requesting a media badge.