2011 Public Relations Seminar: Communicating the Importance of Infrastructure Investment

June 21, 2011
Savannah, GA

This seminar offers presentations, discussions and sharing of "best practices" on how public relations and government professionals can most effectively communicate the value of transportation infrastructure investment to policymakers, influencers and the public. Because regional and national policy and funding decisions are typically based on the perceived benefits of particular programs and projects, it is imperative that public relations professionals work closely with their government relations counterparts to convincingly advocate for their projects. Professionals from a variety of transportation interests will participate, representing shippers as well as multiple modes. Session topics include: •Successfully promoting the infrastructure investment agenda •Joint communications planning between public and government relations personnel •Communications tips for getting the ear of policymakers and their staffs •Case studies of successful external outreach communications programs •Case studies of successful corporate/transportation industry communications •Discussions on how to incorporate social media into outreach efforts •Measuring success by outcomes AND outputs. This seminar is a PPM® Requirement.

06/21/2011
Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Curtis J. Foltz, Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority
• Jean C. Godwin, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, American Association of Port Authorities

06/21/2011
Keynote Address: Advocating for Increased Federal Investments in Infrastructure

Introduction

• Kerry E. O'Hare, Vice President for Policy, Building America's Future

Speaker

• The Hon. Kasim Reed, Mayor, City of Atlanta

06/21/2011
Infrastructure Agendas of Freight Stakeholder Groups

Moderator

• Jean Godwin, Executive Vice President, American Association of Port Authorities

Speakers

• Robin Lanier, Executive Director, Waterfront Coalition
• Leslie Blakey, Executive Director, Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors
• Jennifer Macdonald, Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs, Association of American Railroads

06/21/2011
Successful Activities That Promote the Value of Infrastructure Investment

Discussion Leader

• Page Siplon, Executive Director, Center of Innovation for Logistics

Speakers

• Darrell Wilson, Assistant Vice President, Government Relations, Norfolk Southern Corporation
• Martin Callery, Chief Commercial Officer, Oregon International Port of Coos Bay
• Bill Lewicki, Director of Marketing, Port of Stockton

06/21/2011
Measuring Success by Outputs and Outcomes

Discussion Leader

• Arley Baker, Deputy Executive Director, Communications, Port of Los Angeles

Speakers

• Debra A. Colbert, Communications/Media Relations, Waterways Council, Inc.
• Sherry Conway Appel, National Transportation Campaign Marketing Manager, AASHTO
• Kenyon Gleason, National Field Director, Managing Director, Transporation Officials Div., American Road & Transportation Builders Association

06/21/2011
Utilizing Social Media for Internal & External Stakeholder Outreach

Discussion Leader

• Adrienne Gildea, Senior Associate, Blakey & Agnew LLC

Speakers

• Art Wong, Assistant Director of Communications/Public Information Officer, Port of Long Beach
• Greg Edwards, Director of External Affairs, Virginia Port Authority
• Tesia Williams, Strategic Communications and Branding Specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters, Washington, DC
  • Notes on the Presentation
  • Slides
• Mark Rountree, President, Landmark Communications, Inc.

06/22/2011
Keynote Address: Effectively Communicating with Key Legislators

Introduction

• Robert C. Morris, Director of External Affairs, Georgia Ports Authority

Speaker

• Sen. Mack Francis Mattingly, Former U.S. Senator (R-GA), 1981-1987

06/22/2011
Perspectives on Connecting with Policymakers

Discussion Leader

• Former Congressman Robert Lindsay Thomas, Hurt Norton and Associates, U.S. Representative (D-GA), 1st District, 1983-1993

Speakers

• James C. McCurry, Jr., Director of Administration, Georgia Ports Authority
• Darrell Conner, Government Affairs Counselor, K&L Gates
• Lauren Kotas Brand, PPM, Director, Office of Marine Highways & Passenger Services, Maritime Administration, U.S. Dept. of Transportation

06/22/2011
Effective "Grassroots" Advocacy Programs

Discussion Leader

• Aaron Ellis, Communications Director, American Association of Port Authorities

Speakers

• Drew Preston, Manager of Congressional and Public Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Irene McCormack, Vice President, External Relations, Port of San Diego
• Lorianna Kastrop, Secretary, Port Commission, AND Duane Sandul, Public Relations Consultant, Port of Redwood City
  • Notes on the Presentation
  • Slides

06/22/2011
Rising Above the Clamor -- Leveraging the Media Spotlight

Discussion Leader

• Marilyn Sandifur, Port Spokesperson, Media & PR, Port of Oakland

Speakers

• Mark Biel, Executive Director, Chemical Industry Council of Illinois
• Paula Musto, Seaport Public Affairs and Communications Director, Port of Miami
• Greg Guest, Senior Director, Communications, Georgia Pacific LLC

06/22/2011
PR/GR Tag Teams -- Ports, Corporations, Associations

Moderator

• Maynard Angus, Manager, Public Affairs, Prince Rupert Port Authority

Speakers

• Arley Baker, Deputy Executive Director, Communications, Port of Los Angeles AND Isaac Kos-Read, Director of External Affairs, Port of Oakland
• Janet Oakley, Director of Policy and Government Relations, AND Lloyd Brown, Director of Communications and Publications, AASHTO
• Beverly Fedorko, External Affairs Director, AND Jim Cobb, Director of Government Affairs, New York Shipping Association

06/23/2011
Are Gateways the Way?

Moderator

• Leslie Blakey, Executive Director, Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors

Speakers

• Gary LeRoux, Executive Director, Association of Canadian Port Authorities
• E. Michael O'Malley, Vice President, State Government and Community Affairs, CSX Transporation
• Bruce Lambert, Executive Director, Institute for Trade and Transportation Studies

06/23/2011
Tapping the Brain Trust: Developing a List of "Best Practices" for PR & GR

Discussion Leader

• Robert C. Morris, Director of External Affairs, Georgia Ports Authority