Another Successful AAPA Security Seminar

AAPA’s Port Security Seminar & Expo, July 22-24 in Arlington (VA) was a marvelous success in every respect, thanks to excellent speakers and presentations, spirited audience participation, and the hard work of the AAPA Security Committee and its chairman, Joe Lawless of the Massachusetts Port Authority.

Attendance was strong, totaling 129 registrants, some from as far away as Argentina, Belgium, Latvia, and the Cayman Islands. Equally gratifying was the support of the companies that sponsored meals and receptions and purchased exhibit space to display their products and services.

Cyber security was a major and recurrent theme throughout the seminar. Other topics included terrorist organizations, particularly Al Qaida and ISIS, security-related energy issues, facility security officer training, a GPS-based system known as VirtualPort, unmanned aircraft systems, maritime safety incident investigations, TWIC issues and challenges, port security grants, seafarer access to port facilities, and Safety Act implementation. Vendors’ presentations made valuable contribution throughout the two-day program.

A major seminar highlight was a national perspective on homeland security offered by Congressman Scott Harvey Peters (D-CA).

View downloads of the seminar presentations.

U.S. Congressman Scott Harvey Peters (D-CA) speaking at the AAPA Security Seminar

Photo/Aaron Ellis, AAPA