At its 97th annual convention in Anchorage, Alaska, the American Association of Port Authorities presented awards to successful entries in the association's facilities engineering, communications and environmental improvement programs. While award-winning submissions for outstanding environmental efforts were detailed in the Fall 2008 issue of AAPA Seaports Magazine ["Awards Report," pages 34-39], recipients of 2008 Awards of Excellence in the fields of facilities engineering and communications are acknowledged below.
FACILITIES ENGINEERING AWARD
Jacksonville Port Authority
For the past six years, AAPA has recognized excellence, innovation and performance by port engineering professionals in its annual Facilities Engineering Awards program. Entries are judged on engineering innovation, means of contracting, speed of construction, budget success and other measures as appropriate. This year, the Jacksonville Port Authority, also known as JAXPORT, was chosen the winner from among seven eligible entries. While the judges stressed the professionalism exemplified in all the entries, they said that demonstrated by JAXPORT was especially exemplary.
Titled "Jacksonville Port Authority Rebuild of Berth 3 -- Talleyrand Marine Terminal," JAXPORT's entry noted that, in 2004, as a result of some large storms and the appearance of a series of sinkholes in the pavement at its Talleyrand Marine Terminal Berth 3, a significant safety risk threatened a client's automobile import operation. Working with its tenant and its consultants, JAXPORT was able to completely rehabilitate the berth while allowing the tenant to continue its automobile-handling operations, avoiding complete demolition of the 40-year-old structure.
Alternating ship ramp locations were key to the planning. The solution maximized use of the existing structure, thus reducing the project's cost and minimizing disruption of daily tenant operations. According to the port, "this project used innovative design, careful consideration of construction sequence, staff cooperation and the trust of a valued tenant" to maximize success.
COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS
The 2008 Communications Awards competition attracted 156 entries from 33 ports in the United States and Canada. An independent panel of Public Relations Society of America judges scored 68 entries for various levels of recognition, including 16 for Award of Excellence honors, the highest recognition AAPA bestows in any given award classification.
To acknowledge the most outstanding performer in the communications competition, AAPA annually honors the port that earns the most award points with its Dan Maynard Communications Award for Overall Excellence. The 2008 recipient of that award was the Port of Los Angeles, which garnered three Awards of Excellence and five Awards of Merit, plus two Honorable Mention honors. [See separate article on page 30 of this issue.]
Following are brief summaries of each of the 16 Award of Excellence winners' submissions, listed in alphabetical order by port authority.
Canaveral Port Authority
Video: "Welcome to Port Canaveral" -- This is a silent film featuring a pantomime using gestures and colorful video footage to point out to passengers waiting in line to board their cruise ship of the many wonderful things to do in and around the port. The video shuns audio to avoid competing with cruise line and public safety announcements over the public address system. Judges cited the submission as being imaginative and inspired, with one saying it was "a very creative solution for a challenging setting!"
Georgia Ports Authority
Annual Report: "GPA's Annual Report FY 2007: Gateway to American Commerce" -- This well-written and nicely illustrated annual report was developed for and distributed to GPA's customers, staff, board of directors, local and federal legislative officials and business and community leaders to highlight the port authority's achievements for fiscal 2007 and communicate the importance of Georgia's deepwater port facilities to these important audiences.
Overall Campaign: "GPA's Statewide Outreach Campaign" -- With the ultimate goal of converting previously unreached Georgia constituencies into supporters and potential customers into clients, GPA's outreach campaign utilized the theme, "Gateway to American Commerce." It relied heavily upon PowerPoint presentations and speeches to targeted community groups, such as civic organizations, schools and associations, emphasizing past and future port growth, market trends and economic forecasts. One judge said, "I really feel [the port] took the time for careful [audience] evaluation, when evaluation is typically the 'weak link' in the awards [submissions]."
Ports of Indiana
Web Site: www.portsofindiana.com -- The goal of Ports of Indiana's award-winning Web site is to serve as the primary "portal," or entry point, for the authority's system of port facilities, which are as many as two hours driving distance from its headquarters in Indianapolis. The Web site, which incorporates moving maps, masthead pictures and animation features that change automatically or with every visit or refresh, helps "bring together" the diverse and geographically distant elements of the port.
Port of Long Beach
Miscellaneous Entry: "Port of Long Beach Brand Identity System" -- As a means to redefine the port authority to its employees and surrounding community, the Port of Long Beach needed a single, identifiable brand to convey a clear, consistent and recognizable identity that reflects its core values. To that end, it developed an image and identity system that supports the organization's mission, vision and strategic goals. The program includes a new port logo, to express its promise of vibrancy and leadership to the community, and new design standards to promote consistency in its public relations and marketing materials, as well as to help create a more attractive harbor district.
Special Event: "Green Port Fest" -- The port's highly successful "Green Port Fest 2007" gave residents of the Long Beach area a close-up, hands-on view of port operations from top to bottom. Held each October since adoption of its groundbreaking Green Port Policy in 2005, the event has become a major part of the port's community outreach effort, showcasing its promise to protect the environment. According to the port, Green Port Fest 2007 also gave the public "a close look at port operations, security measures, port railroad activity, community engagement efforts and port-related careers."
Overall Campaign: "Let's Talk Port" -- To redefine itself to the local community and effectively communicate its core values of economic development, environmental stewardship and community engagement, the Port of Long Beach developed its first-ever outreach campaign designed to engage local residents in their own neighborhoods. "Let's Talk Port" is a series of community forums created to educate and inform local stakeholders about the significance of Long Beach's port operations, providing the community with an informal way to meet port authority officials and discuss seaport-related topics that influence their community.
Port of Los Angeles
Miscellaneous Entry: "Port of Los Angeles -- An Illustrated History 1850-1945" -- Published as part of the Port of Los Angeles' Centennial Celebration, this hardbound coffee table book relies on succinct copy and 275 vintage images to commemorate the port's history as well as the city's development from a pueblo to a major metropolis. Targeted to port staff and the general public, particularly students and those interested in maritime history, the book provides a proud history of the port from its founding to the outbreak of World War II. It celebrates and educates readers about the port's evolvement from a primitive mudflat and trading center for furs and hides to a premier international trading hub.
Special Event: "Clean Future Fair" -- This blue/green-colored, kite-themed event was designed to carry the port's "green growth" and clean air goals to the general public, port employees and members of the seaport industry. In a fun, family format, the event exhibited various consumer and industry programs. Special attractions for children asked them to pledge their own commitments to an improved environment. Additionally, free boat tours with environmentally focused narrations and 500 giveaway trees highlighted the event, which featured exhibits ranging from new energy technologies to alternative-fuel vehicles to a high-tech locomotive.
Special Event: "100th Birthday Party" -- To culminate its 12-month centennial celebration, the port hosted a once-in-alifetime light, sound and fireworks show for the community at the end of its festive 100th birthday party on Dec. 9, 2007. Targeted to families in the community, the daytime portion of the event was held at a new cruise ship luggage-handling facility along the port's main navigation channel, while the fireworks were set off that evening from a barge in the main channel. According to feedback from participants and visiting media, the event was described as "the best show ever."
Port of Portland
Miscellaneous Entry: "The Possibilities Guide" -- Developed as a corporate brand book, the port's objective with this printed brochure is to introduce the Port of Portland and its competitive advantages to Oregon's key influencers and business leaders and the port's current and prospective clients, while conveying a sense of the port's personality and core values. The guide's key messages include identifying the port's premier location and customer service, its leadership in handling automobiles, sports apparel and wheat, and its spirit of cooperation. The guide also has a pocket to add customized or tailored project overviews and a "Port Fast Facts" booklet.
Special Event: "Seaport Celebration" -- This fun and colorful family-oriented event was developed to help community residents, port stakeholders and the owners and employees of neighboring businesses gain a better understanding of the Port of Portland's importance to their everyday lives. The theme was repeated throughout the daylong event, with displays and activities to help participants appreciate that what they eat, drink, wear or drive may come through the port. Judges were particularly impressed with the detailed event research, planning, promotion (including advertising and earned media) and analysis of attendee feedback provided with the entry.
South Carolina State Ports Authority
Special Event: "Groundbreaking for New Terminal Unites Community" -- This groundbreaking event for the Charleston port's new 280-acre container terminal was held to bring together stakeholders involved in the permitting process and to spread the message that the port authority's expansion is moving forward, reinforcing its value statewide as an economic engine, good neighbor and environmental steward.
Port of Stockton
Annual Report: "California's Heartland Port" -- Used primarily as a marketing tool at trade shows, customer functions and general port business gatherings, the Port of Stockton's 2007 annual report is being used to illustrate the important role the port plays in the economic development of California's Central Valley. The report helps the port showcase how it has successfully balanced business development with responsibility to protect the environment. The port received a 73 percent response from the feedback form it provided to customers and tenants who received the annual report. Judges said they were impressed, citing the report's layout, charts and photography as "beautifully done."
Port of Vancouver USA
Miscellaneous Entry: "Happy Holidays from the Port of Vancouver" -- This animated electronic holiday greeting card was developed for and distributed to port customers, clients, tenants, business partners, elected and appointed government officials, neighborhood associations and community contacts in December 2007 with the goal of showing each of the port's "pride points" -- river, road and rail connections; its new mobile harbor crane; its productive longshore labor; and its warehousing capabilities. The port retained and analyzed the feedback it received from its holiday card distribution, noting "feedback was overwhelmingly positive and fun."
Virginia Port Authority
Periodicals: "The Virginia Maritimer" -- Winning the only Award of Excellence in AAPA's highly competitive Periodicals classification, the Virginia Port Authority's bimonthly magazine addresses local, national and international users of the Port of Virginia, as well as potential customers and general public with maritime interests. The magazine's goal is two-fold: To keep readers current on what is happening at the port and serve as a public relations piece to underscore the message that the Port of Virginia is a progressive seaport and a good place to do business. According to VPA officials, the magazine's printed and electronic circulation -- reaching readers in all 50 U.S. states and 53 foreign countries -- increased 2 percent over the past year, with the "most notable" foreign readership increase occurring in India.
The complete list of current and historical AAPA awards and
award programs is available online under the "Programs &
Events" tab at www.aapa-ports.org
