News Release
FOR RELEASE - November 30, 2006
Contact: Aaron Ellis, aellis@aapa-ports.org
703-684-5700
American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Nov. 30, 2006) – The Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, is the site for the American Association of Port Authorities’ ninth annual Cruise Seminar, Jan. 10-12, 2007. Participants will engage in a special program focusing on cruise line and cruise port legislative and policy issues, seaport security and cruise marketing opportunities, as well as a feature presentation by representatives of U.S. Customs and Border Protection on new cruise terminal design standards and facility requirements.
“As the number of people taking cruises continues its meteoric rise, AAPA members have a large and growing interest in this important segment of the maritime industry,” said Kurt Nagle, the association’s president and CEO. “The amount of money spent on cruise vacations in the U.S. represents a significant contribution to our economy, providing more than $30 billion annually in benefits and generating some 330,000 U.S. jobs.”
Ninety-four of AAPA’s 155 member ports in the Western Hemisphere have cruise operations. To assist, AAPA works with various cruise associations, federal government agencies and Congress to help its members on issues such as cruise passenger travel documentation, passenger vessel accessibility guidelines, passenger inspection requirements and federal inspection service facility requirements at U.S. ports. AAPA also works on a variety of national and international environmental issues pertaining to the cruise industry, ranging from air emissions reductions to ballast water management.
On Nov. 27, Mr. Nagle addressed the annual Leadership Forum of the International Council of Cruise Lines, focusing on the collaborative efforts of the two associations to influence legislation on maritime and port security, cruise passenger travel documentation, design of federal inspection facilities at cruise terminals, and various environmental standards, regulations and treaties.
Opening the Cruise Seminar on Jan. 10 will be Mr. Nagle, followed by Paul Hurlston, port director for the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands, together with AAPA’s Cruise Committee chairman, Agustín Díaz, managing director for the Curaçao Ports Authority. The seminar will adjourn at noon on Jan. 12, after a morning program focusing on future cruise marketing, moderated by Port of New Orleans president and CEO, Gary LaGrange.
More information about AAPA’s Cruise Seminar is available at www.aapa-ports.org (click on the “Programs & Events” tab) or call AAPA’s Ed O’Connell at 703-684-5700.
