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AAPA Updates: Tampa and San Diego Events; 2014 Communications Awards Program

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AAPA's Shifting International Trade Routes workshop brought together a bevy of experts on international trade and investments, while AAPA and the U.S. Maritime Administration will hold an informal "brainstorming session" from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on February 19 in San Diego on its port planning and investment toolkit project. Also, 2014 AAPA Communications Awards Program rules and entry document are now posted to the AAPA website for download. 

Shifting Trade Routes Program Recap 

AAPA’s Shifting International Trade Routes workshop, held in Tampa on January 23-24, examined the effect of the world economic outlook on investment decisions, cargo movements and international trade in general. Industry experts addressed the international economic outlook and shifts in global trade, gave an update on the planned expansion of the Panama Canal, and provided international perspectives on shifting trade routes in the Western Hemisphere. New sessions this year focused on trends in the automotive and reefer cargo sector. Participants also heard from carriers, ports, terminal operators, railroads, highway interests, logistics, and warehouse and distribution center investors on how they are planning for the future. Click here to view the workshop proceedings.

Brainstorming Session Set for Feb. 19 on Port Planning and Investment Toolkit

AAPA and the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) will hold an informal "brainstorming session" from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on February 19 to discuss ideas for inclusion in development of a port planning and investment toolkit. Lauren Kotas-Brand, MARAD’s director of the Office of Marine Highways and Passenger Services, will lead the session. The brainstorming session will immediately precede a meeting of AAPA’s Maritime Economic Development Committee, from 4 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. in room Indigo 206 of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel, 1 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA, 92101.

Many ports struggle to attract public and private capital for infrastructure projects, in part because there is no go-to guide detailing how to describe and justify investment needs. To address this, AAPA and MARAD in October signed a cooperation agreement to work together on a port planning and investment toolkit. The goal is to develop tools that will assist ports in obtaining funding in a variety of ways: 1) improve the chances of getting port infrastructure projects in MPO and state transportation plans in order to receive formula funding; 2) better position port projects for federal funding, such as TIGER grants; and 3) assist ports in obtaining private sector funding.

A Request for Technical Assistance seeking volunteers to assist in the project was released in December and attracted more than 50 interested respondents. In addition to working with volunteers, AAPA also will be hiring a contractor, through a separate process, to conduct focus groups and other meetings of these technical experts and to develop the tool kit.

Participants in the brainstorming session are encouraged to register for AAPA’s 2014 Maritime Economic Development Workshop, which is being held in the same hotel on February 20-21. On the afternoon of the first day, Ms. Brand will be facilitating a "problem-solving" workshop on development and financing of port-related infrastructure. Click here for more information. 

2014 AAPA Communications Awards Program Entry Materials Posted


The 2014 AAPA Communications Awards Program rules and entry document are now posted to the AAPA website. Click here to view the Communications Awards Program web page and download the entry materials. In addition to the rules and entry document, you’ll find a link to the required PowerPoint slide template that must be completed and emailed to AAPA for each entry submitted. By scrolling down the web page, you’ll also find links to winning entries from previous years for review and download.

At the end of the rules and entry document, be sure to read "Tips on Scoring High Marks for Evaluation" to get an insider’s perspective on what the contest judges are looking for in terms of winning entries. 

Please note: Thursday, May 1, is the deadline for 2014 AAPA Communications Awards Program entries. Judging will commence shortly thereafter, so late entries may not be accepted. Winning entries will be announced in early June and presented during AAPA’s 103rd Annual Convention and Expo, November 9-13 in Houston. The convention host is the Port of Houston Authority. 
 

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