Conference Program

Watch this page for updates on our agenda.

August 13, 2023 7:00 am - 1:00 pm Off-site

Watch this page for updates on our agenda.

August 13, 2023 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Off-site

Special Field Trip! La Brea Tar Pits

Sponsored by the Port of Umatilla As a special treat and thanks to the sponsorship of the Port of Umatilla, we’re organizing a trip to La Brea Tar Pits! Guests will first enjoy the Titans of the Ice Age — a 3D adventure film, narrated by Christopher Plummer, that takes guests on a tour of […]

August 13, 2023 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Registration

Sign in and collect your delegate bag as well as a special welcome gift bag from the Port of Long Beach.

August 13, 2023 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Luna Solstice Room

Executive Committee Meeting

Association business.

August 13, 2023 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Off-site

Welcome Reception: Harbor Sunset Tour

Departing from the Hotel Maya dock, APP Conference guests will enjoy water-side views of Long Beach Harbor — the first opportunity to see Port of Long Beach operations in action. Boarding begins at 5:45 pm. The cruise lasts for two hours.

August 14, 2023 7:30 am - 9:00 am Jardin de Palmeras

Monday Breakfast

August 14, 2023 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

Registration Desk

Open early and staffed for the duration of the conference to assist attendees.

August 14, 2023 9:00 am - 9:10 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Welcome Remarks

August 14, 2023 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Off-site

Companion Program: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Guests will be picked up at the lobby of the Hotel Maya at 9:00 am and chauffeured to Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles for a visit to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Upon arrival, you’ll get the “Oscar Experience”! where guests will win an Oscar and make a speech (and all guests receive a clip […]

August 14, 2023 9:10 am - 9:30 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Keynote Speaker

August 14, 2023 9:30 am - 10:40 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #1: MARAD Town Hall

Setting the stage for the next three days, Mr. Hein will lead a panel discussion to identify and discuss the most pressing issues for ports around the Pacific.

Gus Hein Gateway Director, Mid-Pacific Region / U.S. Maritime Administration
August 14, 2023 10:40 am - 11:00 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Networking / Refreshment Break #2

August 14, 2023 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #2: Port Member Updates

Traditionally held during the APP Annual General Meeting, we’ve moved this session to the first day so that activities and issues raised can resonate throughout the entire conference. Port Members should be ready to provide a five-minute update for their jurisdiction.

August 14, 2023 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Jardin de Palmeras

Monday Lunch

August 14, 2023 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #3: M5 Marine Highway

Spanning from northern Washington to southern California, the M5 Marine Highway provides an alternative to land-side transportation services to reduce congestion and greenhouse gases. Transporting goods by barge or ship along the navigable waters of the U.S. west coast is proving to be eight times more efficient than tractor-trailers and double what is achievable by […]

Gus Hein Gateway Director, Mid-Pacific Region / U.S. Maritime Administration
S. Greg Borossay Principal, Maritime Business Line / Port of San Diego
August 14, 2023 1:45 pm - 2:10 pm Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Networking / Refreshment Break #2

August 14, 2023 2:10 pm - 2:55 pm Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #4: Taiwan's Offshore Wind Power Business and Sustainable Development

Presentation led by Mr. Stanley Yang, Senior Deputy Director, Taiwan International Port Corporation

Stanley Yang Senior Deputy Director / Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd.
August 14, 2023 2:55 pm - 3:30 pm Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Cost Effective Digitization for Small Ports: The Fiji Experience

This presentation focuses on the transformative journey of Fiji ports, highlighting the successful embrace of digitalization to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. It explores the challenges faced by small ports, such as limited resources and the need to balance technology with sustainable growth. The presentation outlines practical and cost-effective digitalization initiatives undertaken by Fiji ports, including […]

Vajira Piyasena Chief Executive Officer / Fiji Ports Corporation Limited
August 14, 2023 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Jardin de Palmeras

Business-to-Business Networking Reception

Polish off your two-minute elevator speech! This “speed-dating-style” reception provides a fun way for Port Members to meet Associate Members and learn about the products and services they represent.

August 15, 2023 7:00 am - 8:30 am Jardin de Palmeras

Tuesday Breakfast

August 15, 2023 8:30 am - 9:30 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #5: Educating Youth and Advancing a Skilled Workforce

Learn about the Port of Long Beach’s education outreach programs and events as well as partnerships, workforce pipeline, and training center.

Dana Friez Workforce Development / Long Beach City College
Eleanor Torres Director of Government Relations / Port of Long Beach, California
Jay Camerino Assistant Superintendent of High Schools / Long Beach Unified School District
Kerry Gerot Director of Communications and Community Relations / Port of Long Beach, California
August 15, 2023 9:30 am - 10:15 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #6: Securing the Port of Tomorrow

A review of Port of Long Beach’s security efforts under water, on water, on land, and in the sky. The session will include cybersecurity in addition to drone technology to provide air-visual security.

Casey Hehr Director of the Security Division / Port of Long Beach, California
Michael J. Goldschmidt Assistant Director of Security / Port of Long Beach, California
August 15, 2023 10:15 am - 10:30 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Networking / Refreshments #3

August 15, 2023 10:30 am - 11:30 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #7: Port of Long Beach Environmental Initiatives

The Port of Long Beach focus continues with a look at how the Port supports efforts to protect and sustain its environment, including community grant programs, microgrid development, and biodiversity studies.

James Vernon Assistant Director / Port of Long Beach Environmental Planning Division
Matt Arms Director of Environmental Planning / Port of Long Beach Environmental Division
Morgan Caswell Manager of Air Quality Practices / Port of Long Beach, California
August 15, 2023 11:30 am - 12:15 pm Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #8: The Green Port of the Future

Port of Long Beach initiatives, such as ZEERO (Zero Emissions, Energy Resilient Operations Program), Pier W and Pier B developments.

Sean Andrew Gamette, P.E. Managing Director of Engineering Bureau / Port of Long Beach, California
Suzanne Plezia, P.E. Senior Director, Program Delivery Group of the Engineering Services Bureau / Port of Long Beach, California
August 15, 2023 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm Jardin de Palmeras

Tuesday Lunch

August 15, 2023 1:15 pm - 4:15 pm Off-site

Port of Long Beach Operations Tour

Following a water-side tour of the Port’s operations and surrounding harbor as part of our Welcome Reception, attendees will get a guided bus tour of the land-side. Landmarks include Pacific Container Terminal, Long Beach Container Terminal, Long Beach International Gateway Bridge, Total Terminals International, Badger Bridge / Alameda Corridor, Pier A, Toyota Logistics, Pier B, […]

Cesar Sanchez Business Development Manager / Port of Long Beach, California
Wendy Fung, M.A., C.P.E. Business Development Manager / Port of Long Beach, California
August 15, 2023 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Off-site

Dinner at the Aquarium of the Pacific

Conference Host Port of Long Beach and Southern California’s largest Aquarium are rolling out the red carpet for APP Conference Guests! What better way to pay homage to the Pacific Ocean than to enjoy dinner at a gathering place that celebrates the diversity of one of the most important oceans on the planet. Guests will […]

August 16, 2023 7:30 am - 9:00 am Jardin de Palmeras

Wednesday Breakfast

August 16, 2023 9:00 am - 9:20 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

APP Annual General Meeting

The Association of Pacific Ports’ Annual General Meeting discusses Association business and elects the incoming Executive Committee. Please note: Typically, the AGM includes Member updates. These have been moved to Monday, August 14 so that the issues and activities of members can filter through the full conference for discussion.

August 16, 2023 9:00 am - 2:30 pm Off-site

Companion Program: Tour of the Queen Mary

Companions should gather in the Hotel Maya lobby no later than 11:00 am for a short walk from the Hotel to the Queen Mary. Guests will be treated to “The Glory Days” Tour: Delve into the ship’s expansive past, including her groundbreaking construction, her time as a troopship during WWII and of course, her glory […]

August 16, 2023 9:20 am - 10:10 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #9: FEMA's Distribution Management Overview and Importance of Pacific Ports

The scope, scale, and pace of disasters since 2017, and our responses to those events, continue to reinforce the fact that the nation has great capabilities and capacities to respond even in the worst circumstances.  The challenge is getting the right capability, to the right place, at the right time with the right enabling information […]

Michael Legler Transportation Planner / Federal Emergency Management Agency
August 16, 2023 10:10 am - 10:30 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Networking / Refreshment Break #4

August 16, 2023 10:30 am - 11:00 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Port of Guam: Recovery Efforts from Typhoon Mawar

Rory J. Respicio, General Manager for the Port of Guam, will provide an in-depth look at the Port’s recovery efforts following Super Typhoon Mawar in late May 2023.

Rory J. Respicio General Manager / Port of Guam
August 16, 2023 11:00 am - 11:15 am Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

IAMPE: Professional Development for the Marine Industry

The International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE) is a non-profit membership association dedicated to developing and maintaining professional standards in the maritime industry. Hear from Mr. Eric Gilmore, Director of Business Development, who will provide an overview of how the IAMPE can benefit your Port.

Eric Gilmore Director of Business Development / International Association of Maritime and Port Executives
August 16, 2023 11:15 am - 12:00 pm Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #10: Next Generation Technologies: Supply Chain Digitization and Green Solutions

Wabtec Corporation presents how future generation technologies are driving cargo throughput, supply chain sustainability and greener applications within the marine port and its ecosystem. Wabtec Advanced Technology group will present real life and recent examples of innovations, showcasing solutions that revolutionize the way the world moves.

Greg Wright Senior Engineer / Wabtec Corporation
Milan Karunaratne Senior Director, AI & Advanced Digital Technologies / Wabtec Corporation
August 16, 2023 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Jardin de Palmeras

Wednesday Lunch

August 16, 2023 1:00 pm - 1:40 pm Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #12: Kongsberg Discovery's BerthWatch

Kongsberg Discovery has developed BerthWatchTM to provide real-time continuous soundings in vessel berths.  Current practice is to conduct periodic hydrographic surveys, then apply a factor of safety for under keel clearance. This provides no information about the rate of siltation or shoaling between surveys – which is economically sub-optimal.  BerthWatch provides all stakeholders real-time data […]

Konrad Mech, CD, P.Eng., PMP, BEng, BA, MBA Sales Director, Coasts, Ports and Inland Waterways / Kongsberg Discovery
August 16, 2023 1:40 pm - 2:20 pm Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Session #13: Weather Awareness

MarineLabs’ CEO, Dr. Scott Beatty, provides an overview of the latest technology available to assist the maritime community in monitoring wind, waves and sea conditions.

Dr. Scott Beatty CEO / MarineLabs
August 16, 2023 2:20 pm - 2:30 pm Cival/Tikal (Salon de Reyes)

Closing Ceremony / Preview of 2024 Annual Conference