AAPA’s Lighthouse Awards recognize programs and projects that stand out as a beacon of excellence across the port industry. This year, the Lighthouse Awards will feature new award specialty areas and categories that reflect the goals of AAPA’s Technical Committees and acknowledge the various facets of port and maritime activities. The dedication of each committee to support these awards highlights AAPA's collective goal: to honor and inspire excellence in the port industry.
Lighthouse Award Entries due July 19, 2024
Ports will have the opportunity to apply for Awards of Excellence in 10 specialty areas: Administration, Cruise, Economic Development, Environment, Facilities and Infrastructure Development, Finance, Legal, Public Relations/Communications, Security, and Technology. Within each specialty, there are two award categories, except the Public Relations/Communications Awards which include 6 award categories. Most specialties have separate award categories for large and small ports to ensure ports are recognized for their achievements relative to their size and resources. A port's size is distinguished based on the following criterion:
AAPA will give an Award of Excellence in up to 24 categories. This allows increased recognition of outstanding projects and programs within the Hemisphere's ports. AAPA may give an additional Award of Distinction in any award category to an entrant who narrowly missed an Award of Excellence but is still deserving of recognition for their outstanding performance or contribution.
Each entry can be submitted for up to 3 award categories, and there is no limit to the number of entries a port can submit. For example, a port can submit an entry for all three award categories under the Public Relations/Communications specialty. In addition, a port can submit an entry for a project that highlights a new wharf completed with innovative financing and requiring extensive community outreach for the 1) Facility and Infrastructure Development Award, 2) Finance Award, and 3) Public Relations/ Communications: Community/Educational Outreach Award. An award submission may include components from other specialty areas, but each entry will be judged against other projects solely within that award category.
Excellence in Administrative Practices - Small and Large Port
Recognizes programs or projects that have resulted in improvements in administrative, management, human resource, and/or workforce culture to foster operational excellence, stakeholder satisfaction, and organizational resilience. Submissions may include innovative administrative tools, process maps, organizational protocols, performance reporting, training programs, succession plans, and other initiatives, strategies, or practices that support administrative efficiency and transparency, accountability, service delivery, and a positive work environment.
Excellence in Cruise Practices - Small and Large Port
Recognizes programs or projects that have made exceptional contributions to strengthening the relationship between ports and the cruise industry. Submissions may include port initiatives that optimize or enhance facilities, operations, services, and amenities that elevate the overall cruise passenger experience.
Excellence in Economic Development Practices - Small and Large Port
Recognizes programs or projects that significantly enhance a port's economic impact and competitiveness, highlighting ports as essential hubs of trade and economic vitality. Submissions may include strategic initiatives that optimize port assets, acquire property, facilitate trade, and expand business opportunities while aligning with the committee's pillars of community enhancement and job creation.
Excellence in Environmental Practices - Small and Large Port
Recognizes programs or projects that improve environmental quality through renewable energy use, debris control, port beautification, natural resource restoration, and innovative waste management solutions. Submissions may include port initiatives that demonstrate improvements in environmental performance such as air quality, water quality, stormwater, contaminated sediment, sustainability and environmental management systems, electrification, alternative fuels, and offshore wind.
Excellence in Studies, Plans, and/or Designs
Recognizes exemplary efforts in the analysis, planning, and/or design of port projects. Submissions may include feasibility studies, master/project plans, or architectural and engineering designs that demonstrate foresight, technical expertise, and innovative solutions that enhance port assets, improve operational efficiency, and promote sustainability.
Excellence in Construction Practices
Recognizes port projects that showcase exemplary construction management and delivery practices, including efficient scheduling, budget management, quality control, risk mitigation, and stakeholder coordination. Submissions may include projects completed in the past year that demonstrate ingenuity and collaboration in delivering exceptional port infrastructure and facilities.
Excellence in Financial Practices - Small and Large Port
Recognizes programs or projects that have exemplary achievements in fiscal management, stewardship, and sustainability in the port industry. Submissions may include initiatives that demonstrate innovative funding sources, investment strategies, financing procurement, revenue diversification, and billing and analytical systems that enhance profitability, optimize resource allocation, mitigate financial risks, and achieve a port’s long-term financial health.
Excellence in Legal Affairs - Small and Large Port
Recognizes a significant, complex, or otherwise important program or project to a port or its community and stakeholders. The legal aspect in the application may be the bulk or entirety of the project - such as enterprise-critical litigation - or it may be a component of a larger project such as for an environmental restoration project or a strategic shift in business operations. Submissions may be based on litigation, transactional work, regulatory work, or any other aspect of port business that involves formal legal affairs.
Excellence in Community/Educational Outreach - Small and Large Port (2)
Recognizes programs or projects undertaken by ports to engage, educate, and enrich their stakeholders including community, neighborhood, special interests, civic, fraternal, educational, and/or governmental organizations. Submissions may include initiatives, promotional/advocacy materials, events, or campaigns that foster meaningful connections, promote awareness, and support educational opportunities for a port’s diverse stakeholders.
Excellence in Print or Digital Media Communications - Small and Large Port (2)
Recognizes programs or projects that demonstrate exemplary efforts in effectively communicating with stakeholders, fostering transparency, promoting awareness, and enhancing the reputation and visibility of the port industry through print or digital media channels. Submissions may include websites, social media, digital magazines and newsletters, videos, advertisements, or any other digital-based media
Excellence in Public Relations (PR) Campaign - Small and Large Port (2)
Recognizes achievements in planning, executing, and evaluating PR campaigns by leveraging strategic communication strategies, creative messaging, and targeted outreach by a port. Submissions must include a range of communications materials used in a comprehensive PR campaign or program designed to achieve specific goals and objectives. Submissions should identify the tactics, strategies, and target audiences, and include a detailed description of program elements including research, planning, implementation, and evaluation of results.
Excellence in Security Practices - Small and Large Port
Recognizes programs or projects that demonstrate innovation and leadership in safeguarding personnel, assets, cargo, infrastructure, and the surrounding environment against security threats and risks. Submissions may include initiatives, plans, technologies, or practices implemented that have significantly enhanced port security effectiveness, resilience, and collaboration, such as Facility Security Plans (FSPs), countermeasures to illicit drone flyovers, cybersecurity reporting regimes (or cybersecurity in general), and collaborative initiatives with Coast Guard, CISA, or other related agency.
Excellence in Technology Solutions - Small and Large Port
Recognizes programs or projects that demonstrate exemplary innovation, creativity, and leadership in leveraging technology to address port challenges. Submissions may include the development, deployment, or adoption of technology solutions that:
Applications must be submitted electronically in Submittable and attachments should be in PDF format by the specified deadline, adhering to the prescribed format and submission requirements.
Each application entry should include the following elements:
The Application should be organized into the following sections:
There are eight award criteria used to evaluate the entries in the competition with a possible total score of 100 points. The project application should attempt to address the following criteria:
Evaluate how well the project meets its stated objectives and addresses the specific needs and challenges within its category. Consider the extent to which the project achieves its goals and delivers measurable outcomes. High scores should reflect projects that exceed their targets and demonstrate clear success in fulfilling their mission.
Assess the degree to which the project introduces new ideas, approaches, or technologies relevant to its field. This criterion should measure not only the novelty but also the practical application and effectiveness of these innovations in advancing industry standards or practices. Projects that bring transformative changes or set new benchmarks should receive high scores.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical practices, promote equity and fairness, and strive to create positive social impact within the industry. It could encompass various areas such as environmental sustainability, social justice initiatives, diversity and inclusion efforts, human rights advocacy, and ethical business practices.
Determine to what degree project resources were efficiently utilized and whether effective cost management practices and value engineering solutions were implemented. Projects that achieve their objectives while maintaining economic efficiency and minimizing waste should score highly. Projects that successfully leverage alternative funding mechanisms to reduce reliance on traditional funding sources and minimize project costs should also receive higher scores.
Review how well the project involves relevant stakeholders, including local communities, businesses, and government entities. High scores should go to projects that effectively communicate with and engage these groups, incorporate their feedback, and address their concerns, fostering a collaborative environment. Projects that excel in this area will have established, ongoing evaluation processes that allow for continuous improvement and innovation.
Measure the tangible and intangible impacts of the project on its category and the wider community, both in the short and long term.
A. Short-term Impact (10 points)
Assess the immediate benefits and outcomes of the project. Consider the direct effects on the target audience, community, environment, or industry. Projects that demonstrate significant, measurable achievements in a short timeframe should receive higher scores.
B. Long-term Impact (10 points)
Evaluate the potential lasting effects of the project over an extended period. Projects that are likely to provide sustainable benefits, promote long-term change, or lead to lasting improvements in their category should be rated highly.
Evaluate the project’s adaptability to changing circumstances, emerging technologies, expansion, and evolving needs. Projects should have mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and evaluation, allowing them to adjust plans and processes effectively. High scores should be awarded to projects that are flexible, demonstrate a pathway for growth or adaptation in broader applications, or are responsive to new challenges and opportunities.
Assess how well the project integrates with existing infrastructure, systems, and/or processes within its category. Projects that demonstrate effective integration, promote collaboration, and create synergies with other initiatives should be rated highly. Consider how well the project complements or enhances the existing landscape.
Entry Fee: A non-refundable entry fee of $125 is required to process an application for the Lighthouse Awards. If a port is submitting more than one project, a separate application and entry fee should accompany each project. However, ports can process payment for all applications in a single transaction.
Please pay this fee via credit card through our secure online platform. Upon payment, you will receive a confirmation email containing a personalized application link to submit an entry. Please do not share this link with anyone outside of your organization.
The entry fee helps cover the operational costs of the awards program, ensuring that AAPA can continue to recognize and celebrate excellence in our industry with the integrity and attention it deserves.
Deadlines: All entries must be submitted through Submittable no later than July 19, 2024. Winners will be notified by email in early September 2024.
Award winners will be highlighted at the AAPA Annual Convention. Award winners MUST complete a PowerPoint slide that includes specific entry information and graphics. A template will be provided by AAPA in your notification email. In addition, displays may be sent after winners have been notified. Any electronic media may be used for display and/or presentations, but the provision of such is the sole responsibility of the winning entrant.
By submitting your application, you grant AAPA the right to share information about your project across AAPA communication channels. This includes, but is not limited to, AAPA social media platforms, websites, email newsletters, and magazine. Your participation helps us highlight and promote outstanding contributions to our industry.
For any questions regarding the AAPA Lighthouse Awards or your submission, please reach out to info@aapa-ports.org.
