News Release
FOR RELEASE - August 20, 2020
Contact: Aaron Ellis, Public Affairs Director, aellis@aapa-ports.org
(703) 254-7098
American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org
 |
Bucking the trend of postponing or canceling events, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) – the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas – will hold its 2020 Annual Convention and Expo as planned.
Originally slated for Québec City, QC, Canada, AAPA’s 109th annual conference, renamed Together Apart, will now be a unique, virtual experience.
“Whether together or apart, AAPA’s Annual Convention and Expo is the place and the event that brings together seaport leaders and maritime professionals from across the Western Hemisphere,” said Christopher J. Connor, the association’s president and CEO. “The interactive platform is the next best thing to being there in person. From governance meetings, to opening ceremonies, keynote speakers, exhibits and receptions, it’s all there.”
AAPA convention participants will be treated to a full, interactive suite of speaker presentations, one-on-one networking, awards presentations and entertainment, thanks to an exclusive online platform developed by meeting and events specialists, the global event team.
As the seaport industry’s main event, AAPA’s 2020 Together Apart Annual Convention and Expo will provide access to top decision-makers, professionals and subject matter experts through invaluable online networking, and technical and policy sessions.
“This is AAPA's largest membership meeting of the year, and it remains a ‘must attend’ event,” said AAPA Member Engagement Vice President Meredith Martino. “By turning it into a highly-interactive, virtual experience, it allows port professionals, transportation leaders and marine industry innovators all the benefits of exploring trends and discovering solutions that empower ports, people and businesses, without the inherent health risks of holding it in a physical location.”
The three-day business program, hosted in partnership with AAPA’s Diamond sponsor – the Port of Québec – features a robust slate of keynote speakers and subject matter experts focusing on topics ranging from international trade and tourism, to import tariff challenges and the U.S. elections in November. The full calendar of events is available here and on the AAPA website.
Among the convention’s confirmed keynote presenters are Axios Co-Founder and Executive Editor Mike Allen, Volvo Trucks North America President Peter Voorhoeve, and Global Business Alliance President and CEO Nancy McLernon
Mr. Allen, whose new company delivers news and insights on politics, business, media and tech, is one of Washington, D.C.’s most influential and well-connected journalists. He will discuss the outlook for the upcoming election and the reverberations that it may have in the nation’s capital.
Since 2018, Mr. Voorhoeve has led Volvo Trucks North America, part of the Volvo Group – one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. Previously, he led Volvo Group Australia and held several senior management positions in the areas of aftermarket support, supply chain management and parts logistics during his nearly 20 years with the company. He will discuss Volvo’s environmental leadership within the truck manufacturing industry.
Ms. McLernon leads the only Washington, D.C. organization focused exclusively on supporting the international business community. Her strong background in economics has helped focus her advocacy efforts on educating legislators on the important role U.S. subsidiaries play in the American economy and policy issues that would make the U.S. a more competitive location for foreign direct investment and job creation. She will discuss the outlook for both the global and U.S. economies through the lens of global corporations.
Additionally, an esteemed industry expert has been invited to discuss the future of business travel in today’s COVID-19 environment and will be announced soon.
More information about AAPA’s 109th Annual Convention and Expo, including its business program agenda, exhibitors and sponsors, is available at www.aapatogetherapart.org.
| WHO: | Hosted by American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), with sponsorships provided by Port Québec, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, Mott MacDonald, Jacobs, ZPMC USA, AECOM, Konecranes, Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations, Green Marine, Moffatt & Nichol, TMEIC and Weeks Marine. |
| WHAT: | AAPA’s 109th Annual Convention and Expo, renamed Together Apart, features keynote presenters such as Axios Co-Founder and Executive Editor Mike Allen, Volvo Trucks North America President Peter Voorhoeve and Global Business Alliance President and CEO Nancy McLernon. |
| WHEN: | September 21-23, 2020 |
| WHERE: | www.aapatogetherapart.org |
| MEDIA: | Professional journalists representing bona-fide media outlets may request complimentary access to open business sessions by contacting either AAPA Public Affairs Director Aaron Ellis (aellis@aapa-ports.org) or AAPA External Relations Vice President Mary Beth Long (mlong@aapa-ports.org). |
About AAPA
Founded in 1912 and recognized as the unified voice of seaports in the Americas, AAPA today represents 130 of the leading seaport authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean and more than 200 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in seaports.
According to IHS Markit’s GTA Forecasting (previously known as World Trade Service), combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere seaports in 2018 totaled nearly 4.2 billion metric tons in volume and US$3.7 trillion in value. Of that combined total, seaports in Central and South America handled 1.86 billion metric tons of cargo valued at US$1.17 trillion, while North American seaports handled 2.34 billion metric tons of goods, valued at US$2.53 trillion. Within North America, U.S. seaports handled 1.01 billion metric tons of international trade valued at US$1.95 trillion, while Canada’s seaports handled 380.53 million metric tons of goods valued at US$266.67 billion, and Mexico’s seaports handled 352.53 million metric tons of cargo valued at US$312.91 billion.
To meet the growing demand for trade, the AAPA and its members are committed to keeping seaports navigable, secure and sustainable. For more information, visit www.aapa-ports.org. On Twitter: http://twitter.com/AAPA_Seaports
