News Release
FOR RELEASE - February 9, 2011
Contact: Aaron Ellis, aellis@aapa-ports.org
703-706-4714
American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org
"In terms of trade and tourism, the cruise industry is a major economic engine and jobs generator for Western Hemisphere port communities, as well as a vital component of the maritime transportation system," said Kurt Nagle, AAPA president and CEO. "Because of their many contributions to the seaports industry, including tourism promotion, economic development and knowledge sharing with the port community, we're pleased to honor these two distinguished industry professionals as AAPA's latest Cruise Award recipients."
According to Capt. Alwyn Soppitt, former president and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority, Ms. MacMillan is a champion of the Canada-New England cruise itinerary and of the Port of Saint John, having helped the Saint John cruising sector go from 500 passengers in 1989 to more than 210,000 passengers in 2010. "Betty has done an exceptional job in putting us front and center with the cruise lines and developing second-to-none relationships with our clients," noted Capt. Soppitt. "I'm extremely pleased she has been recognized by her peers in the port industry for her contribution and I extend my sincere congratulations for a job well done."
Gary LaGrange, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans, noted that, in Mr. Thornton's position with Carnival, "he has had a profound effect on the expansion of cruising throughout the world." He further noted that Mr. Thornton has been responsible for opening up the secondary cruise market in the Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Coast and Northeast Atlantic regions of North America, along with various other ports in Canada and Mexico.
Since 2006, AAPA has periodically presented its Cruise Award in recognition of an individual or individuals whose outstanding work or service has had a positive impact on the relationship between the cruise port and the cruise industry in the Western Hemisphere. Previous awardees include Carnival Corporation's founder and former chairman, the late Ted Arison (2006), the Québec Port Authority's former president and chief executive, Ross Gaudreault (2008), and Tom Dow, vice president of public affairs for Carnival Corporation & PLC (2009).
Cruise Award nominees include government officials, trade and transportation industry leaders, port authority and cruise line leaders, and others who have made a significant contribution to advance the relationship between cruise ports and the cruise industry. Nominees may be recognized for positive contributions with international impact or for benefits to ports within a country or region.
