AAPA Seaports
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SEPTEMBER 26-29
#aapaaustin2021
This special centerspread feature is dedicated to the 2021 AAPA 110th Annual Convention & Expo, September 26-29, in Austin, Texas. If you are not able to attend in person this year, then tune in to social media and follow along from your home, office or wherever you are. We hope you will discover the benefit of attending the Annual Convention and plan to join us next year in Orlando, Florida.
Health & Safety Measures
AAPA and JW Marriott are making your health and safety their number one priority. In addition to verifying proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Austin, AAPA will be handing out green, yellow or red wristbands at the registration desk, depending on an attendee’s comfort level in engaging with other delegates. Hand sanitizing stations and face masks will be available. JW Marriott is also taking extraordinary measures to strengthen its cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
Convention Agenda
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
11:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Hyatt Wolfdancer Golf Club Golf Tournament (buses depart JW Marriott at 10:30 a.m.)
2:00-6:00 p.m. Lone Star Foyer Registration Desk Open
6:00-8:00 p.m. Congress Avenue Terrace Welcome Reception
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Lone Star Foyer Registration Desk Open
9:00-10:00 a.m. Room 203-204 Commissioners Session – Members of Governing Boards Only
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Room 303-304 Port CEO’s/Executive Directors Session – Port CEOs and Executive Directors Only
12:00-1:30 p.m. Lunch on Your Own
12:00-6:00 p.m. Austin City Tours
1:30-3:00 p.m. Room 303-304 AAPA Board of Directors Meeting
3:15-4:45 p.m. Room 205 U.S. Legislative Policy Council (LPC) – U.S. Port CEOs Only
5:00-7:00 p.m. Griffin Hall Exhibit Hall Reception – Grand Opening of Exhibit Hall
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Lone Star Foyer Registration Desk Open
7:30-8:30 a.m. Griffin Hall Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall
8:30-10:15 a.m. Lone Star Salon E-H Opening Ceremonies and Presentation of AAPA Awards
10:15-10:45 a.m. Griffin Hall Break in the Exhibit Hall
10:45-11:45 a.m. Lone Star Salon E-H General Session: A Conversation with Thomas B. Crowley, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Crowley Maritime Corp.
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Griffin Hall Exhibitor Appointments
12:30-2:00 p.m. Griffin Hall Open Networking Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
2:00-3:00 p.m. Lone Star Salon E-H AAPA Speaker Series: Emmitt Smith (sponsored by Port Corpus Christi)
3:00-3:30 p.m. Griffin Hall Break in the Exhibit Hall
3:30-5:00 p.m. Rooms 201, 202 & 203 Facilitated Networking Salons: Offshore Wind; Climate Adaptation/Engineering Resiliency; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
5:00 p.m. Free Night – Enjoy Austin!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Lone Star Foyer Registration Desk Open
7:30-8:30 a.m. Griffin Hall Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall
8:30-9:30 a.m. Lone Star Salon E-H General Session: TBD
9:30-10:00 a.m. Griffin Hall Exhibitor Appointments
10:00-10:45 a.m. Lone Star Salon E-H Professional Port Manager (PPM®) Graduation Ceremony
10:45-11:15 a.m. Griffin Hall Break in the Exhibit Hall
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Lone Star Salon E-H General Session: Christopher Smith, Senior Vice President, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Cheniere LNG
12:15-1:30 p.m. Griffin Hall Open Networking Lunch
1:30 p.m. Griffin Hall Exhibit Hall Closes
1:30-2:00 p.m. Lone Star Salon E-H AAPA Annual Membership Meeting & Chairman’s Address
2:00-3:00 p.m. Lone Star Salon E-H General Session: Michael Lichte, Vice President, Milk Optimization and Customer Relations, Dairy Farmers of America
3:00-3:15 p.m. Coffee Break
3:15-4:30 p.m. Rooms 303, 304 & 308 Facilitated Networking Salons: Workforce Development, Technology/Digitization, Supply Chain Disruption Solutions
5:30-8:30 p.m. Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater Closing Event
Speakers
Mario Cordero
Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero is AAPA’s 2020-2022 chairman of the Board. He previously served as an AAPA Executive Board member on the Latin American delegation. Since joining the Port of Long Beach in May 2017, Cordero has spearheaded the development of the pioneering Green Port Policy, which outlines a sustainable environmental ethic for all port operations. He reports to the Board and leads the port’s Harbor Department staff of more than 500 with an annual budget of $982 million. Cordero is a California native and has practiced law for more than 30 years, specializing in workers’ compensation cases.
Thomas B. Crowley, Jr.
Thomas B. Crowley Jr. has served as chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of Directors since 1994, succeeding his father and grandfather in such roles dating back to the company’s founding in 1892. Today, Crowley Maritime Corporation is a global, $2.5 billion-a-year marine solutions, energy and logistics services company for the commercial and government sectors. Under Crowley’s leadership, the U.S.-based company has advanced its industry-leading assets and solutions into areas of opportunity such as commercial and government supply chain services, fuels transportation and distribution, ship management, naval architecture and engineering, project management and energy services. Recent advances provide total value chain solutions in new energy, such as offshore wind, and technology.
Michael Lichte
In his current role as vice president of milk optimization and customer relations, Michael Lichte works within Dairy Farmers of America’s (DFA) supply chain to maximize the value of milk picked up daily from the cooperative’s dairy farmer-owners and delivered to more than 50 countries. For more than 17 years, Lichte has worked with DFA, a dairy cooperative with operations across all lower 48 states that is owned and governed by more than 12,500 American family dairy farmers. He previously worked in a variety of roles including economics, sales and marketing, supply chain, global business development and general management.
Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith joined Cheniere LNG in November 2017 as senior vice president for policy, government and public affairs. Prior to joining Cheniere, he was the assistant secretary for fossil energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. During that time, he also served as the designated federal official for the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. Smith also served in managerial and analytical positions at Chevron and Texaco, focused primarily on upstream business development and LNG trading. He began his career as an officer in the U.S. Army and served tours in Korea and Hawaii. He subsequently worked for Citibank and JPMorgan. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering management from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from Cambridge University.
Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith is a professional football icon. In his 15 seasons as a running back in the National Football League, Smith amassed many records that still stand today, including most career rushing yards and most career rushing touchdowns. Smith’s impressive resume includes three Super Bowl championship rings, his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 and, most recently in 2019, his selection to the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Special Events
See You on the Green!
Sunday, September 26
AAPA is holding its inaugural golf tournament at this year’s Annual Convention. Pack your competitive spirit, and philanthropic attitude as we play to benefit the Foundation for Seaports of the Americas. Golfers of all levels are invited to join us at the Wolfdancer Golf Club.
Welcome Reception
Sunday, September 26
The JW Marriott will be the site of the 110th AAPA Annual Convention, where we’ll excitedly come together for the first time in a long time.
Exhibit Hall Reception/Grand Opening of Exhibits
Monday, September 27
Network with friends and colleagues, and learn what our great exhibitors have to offer your team.
Lighthouse Awards
Tuesday, September 28
AAPA Chairman of the Board Mario Cordero and AAPA President and CEO Chris Connor will present the annual Lighthouse Awards, recognizing Awards of Excellence in AAPA’s communications, environmental improvement, facilities engineering and information technology awards programs.
Exhibitors
As of Sept. 2, 2021
Austin City Tours
Monday, September 27
Experience the rich sights and sounds of Austin on a complimentary city tour, conveniently departing from the hotel lobby.
PPM® Class of 2021 to Graduate
Wednesday, September 29
AAPA will be hosting a ceremony for the 2021 graduating class of the Professional Port Manager (PPM®) certification program at the 110th AAPA Annual Convention. Join us as we celebrate these port leaders and highlight their achievements.
Closing Event
Wednesday, September 29
Close out the 110th AAPA Annual Convention at Austin City Limits Live in the Moody Theater, one of country music’s most iconic venues.
Sponsors
As of Sept. 1
DIAMOND
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
