2015 AAPA Maritime Economic Development Energy Projects Seminar
AAPA's 2015 Maritime Economic Development Energy Projects Seminar, held in Pensacola, Fla., Feb. 24-25, focused port and maritime professionals looking to the energy sector to grow their organization’s bottom line. Hosted by the Port of Pensacola, the program drew more than 60 participants from the U.S., Canada and Panama. Seminar attendees were treated to eye-opening examples, opportunities and forecasts for energy project success and growth in the years ahead, from both renewable and non-renewable sources.
The program kicked off with an energy industry overview by Barry Worthington, executive director for the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Energy Association. A veteran analyst and energy sector specialist, Mr. Worthington predicted the greatest near-term rewards for ports are still in non-renewables like coal, petroleum and natural gas, but with a focus on port electrification, technological advances and an eye on global climate change, there’s a strong upward growth trend in demand for renewable energy sources.
CEOs and deputy directors representing eight ports followed with first-hand reports on energy projects at their ports, ranging from coal, methane, butane and natural gas, to offshore wind, solar, wood pellets and biomass. Additional featured presenters covered economic and environmental opportunities in these and other energy areas of interest to ports.
In a highly-anticipated session titled, “Increasing Project Success Through Coordination and Collaboration,” Port of Pensacola Port Director Amy Miller led a panel of presenters on the benefits to ports of forming strategic alliances with their community leaders and stakeholders, as well as with other ports, communities and regions to toward the goal of obtaining a “social license to operate.” Following that, a host of energy industry experts offered sage advice on what ports can do to finance and maximize success of their energy projects.
Amidst a drenching rain storm that pelted ice and snow on cities to the west and north of Pensacola, seminar attendees braved the elements to tour a GE wind generator manufacturing and assembly plant which imports and exports materials through the Port of Pensacola. The bus tour concluded with a stop at a new offshore flexible pipe manufacturing plant, which is under construction at the port.
Click here to download the presentations from the seminar, as well as to download the notes and presentations from the MED Committee meeting held in conjunction with the seminar.
2014 AAPA Annual Convention MED Committee Meeting - Nov. 10, 2014
The Maritime Economic Development Committee meeting at AAPA's 103rd Annual Convention in Houston was held on Monday, Nov. 10, from 8:00am - 9:30am. There were no formal presentations made at this meeting, although committee members took turns discussing various economic development activities at their ports. Also, committee leadership and participants offered ideas on how to create better member engagement in the MEDC work groups, including ensuring the work groups effectively represent the key interests and priorities of the committee's membership. Click here for a copy of the meeting agenda.
2014 AAPA Spring Conference MED Committee Meeting - March 24, 2014
AAPA's 2014 Spring Conference Maritime Economic Development Committee meeting was held on Monday, March 24, from 10:30am - noon in Washington, D.C. Click here for a copy of the meeting agenda. There were no formal presentations made at this meeting, although attendees took turns citing current economic development activities taking place at, or planned for, their ports. Discussions also focused on reviewing and updating previously-approved AAPA resolutions recommended by the committee; reviewing feedback from the 2014 AAPA Maritime Economic Development Workshop held in San Diego in February (see below); and discussing committee priorities, goals and objectives for the year ahead.
2014 AAPA MED Workshop
AAPA's 2014 Maritime Economic Development Workshop explored the intracacies, challenges and possible solutions for transportation infrastructure development and goods movement projects, with a particular emphasis on the intermodal connections that link ports with freeways, mainline railroads and deep-draft water highways. Participants engaged with presenters in developing solutions for major economic development challenges, shared various examples of export initiatives, and discussed infrastructure funding and policy reform efforts that are being developed and implemented by Western Hemisphere port authorities, municipalities, and state/provincial and federal governments. The workshop also addressed methods to connect with potential new investment partners, create jobs and win over community residents and advocacy groups who might be opposed to port development. To review the various speakers' presentations from this workshop, click here.
AAPA MED Committee Meeting - February 19, 2014
To view the formal presentations made during the Feb. 19, 2014 Maritime Economic Development Committee meeting in San Diego, Calif., click on the following embedded links:
AAPA Leadership Summit - November 21, 2013
2013 AAPA MED Workshop
AAPA's 2013 Maritime Economic Development Workshop explored the dynamics and inter-relationships between transportation infrastructure and goods movement, with a particular focus on the intermodal connections that link ports with freeways, mainline railroads and deep-draft water highways. Participants heard about compelling new economic development opportunities, export initiatives and infrastructure funding and policy reform efforts that are being developed and implemented by Western Hemisphere port authorities, municipalities, and state/provincial and federal governments. The workshop also addressed methods to connect with potential new investment partners, create jobs and win over community residents and groups who may be dubious about plans to acquire new and/or develop existing port property. To review the various speakers' presentations from this workshop, click here.
2012 MED Workshop
AAPA's 2012 Maritime Economic Development Workshop, June 5-6, in New Bedford, Mass., explored the dynamics and inter-relationships between transportation infrastructure and goods movement, with a particular focus on the intermodal connections that link ports with freeways, mainline railroads and deep-draft water highways. Participants heard about compelling new economic development opportunities, export initiatives and infrastructure funding and policy reform efforts that are being developed and implemented by Western Hemisphere port authorities, municipalities, and state/provincial and federal governments. The workshop focused particularly on implications and opportunities surrounding short-sea shipping (a.k.a., America's Marine Highways initiative), the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Export Initiative, and port real estate best practices. To review the various speakers' presentations from this workshop, click here.
2011 AAPA Annual Convention MED Committee Meeting
To view the formal presentation made during the networking session of the Sept. 12, 2011, Maritime Economic Development Committee meeting in Seattle, Wash., click on the following embedded link:
