Recap: APP 2024 Winter Conference

January 30, 2024 — The APP’s 2024 Winter Conference — January 24 to 26, 2024 at the Turtle Bay Resort on O’ahu — is receiving high marks by attendees for the balance between networking opportunities and interesting and engaging presentations. Early responses to the APP’s survey of the 2024 Winter Conference have provided some great feedback that will help with planning for both the 110th Annual Conference — August 11 to 14, 2024 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan — and next year’s Winter Conference in Hawaii, the central meeting point for members on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.

In a first for any APP Conference, the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives has granted eight Continuing Education credits to any attendee who would like to receive them. Attendees can email Eric Gilmore, Director of Business Development, IAMPE, directly to process the certificates. “This is a testament to the relevance of APP Conferences,” said APP Executive Director Jane McIvor. “Hawaii provides the perfect setting as a half-way meeting point to allow attendees from both sides of the Pacific Ocean to come together for the purposes of learning from each other, building relationships, and demonstrating leadership within the port community.”

Highlights of this year’s conference include a keynote speech from DreanaLee Kalili, Deputy Director for the Hawaii Department of Transportation, which received high marks and praise. “Very interesting opening remarks and very relevant to the subject matter at hand,” said one respondent to the APP’s survey. Ms. Kalili also participated in two other panel sessions with both sessions receiving some of the highest marks of the conference.

In terms of learning about best practices, the Port Update Session and the Port of San Diego’s presentation (Environmental Champion and Economic Powerhouse) were complimented by a presentation from the Port of Stockton’s Jeff Wingfield and SSA Marine’s Joe Carrillo which not only outlined the strategy that has seen the Port’s success in moving toward electrification and zero emissions but emphasized the importance of partnerships in attaining progress. And keeping on the “partnership” theme, Captain Jamie Marshall’s presentation, All Aboard! Navigating the Complex and Changing Future of Port Developments Together encouraged attendees to put their heads together to come up with solutions to issues that all ports face.

From a networking perspective, 100 percent of respondents to the survey felt the balance struck for this year’s conference between providing opportunities to develop relationships with the educational content of the conference’s agenda was well done. Scoring a perfect five out of five, the APP Dinner on the Beach was a memorable affair for all as was the field trip to the Dole Plantation where attendees learned about supply chain logistics to ensure pineapples arrived at their destinations in the freshest condition possible.

While Turtle Bay as a venue received extraordinarily high marks for service, food and hospitality, none could escape the transportation challenges in getting from the Honolulu Airport to the location. Despite this however, 60 percent would recommend holding the conference there again.

To view photos of the conference: Click here.

Presentations (pdfs):

January 25, 2024: