APP 2025 Winter Conference Recap and Presentations

February 7, 2025 — Despite a “mini-hurricane” that forced the APP dinner indoors, the APP’s 2025 Winter Conference received high marks for an agenda that struck a good balance between presentations and networking. Held at the Kahala Resort & Hotel — January 29 to 31, 2025, the Conference again saw a high turnout from members from both sides of the Pacific.

First and foremost, we recognize the support from our amazing sponsors: Port of Long Beach | Port of Umatilla | Matson | The Pasha Group | Young Brothers | Commonwealth Ports Authority | Port of Redwood City | Port of Stockton | Liebherr |SSA Marine | Don Young Port of Alaska | Burns & McDonnell | GHD | Lynker | Vector Corrosion Technologies. In addition to financial support, many sponsors were active in assisting with excursions and agenda items. Special thanks go out to Lek Friel, Matson, for organizing the golf game at the O’ahu Country Club (an exclusive, members-only club), and Sophie Sylvestri with The Pasha Group who was instrumental in getting attendees a tour of the Kapalama Container Terminal.

Highlights from this year’s conference included a keynote presentation from Mario Cordero, CEO, Port of Long Beach, as well as a state-of-the-industry address from MARAD Associate Administrator, William Paape. Additional sessions covering a diverse range of topics relevant for all sizes of ports were engaging and informative as indicated by survey responses. Presentations covering different geographical regions — e.g., the Pacific Islands Round Table and a panel on Changes to Federal Policies Under a New Presidential Administration — provided great perspective not only for representatives of Pacific Islands and the U.S., but for attendees from all jurisdictions. And presentations that focused on specific sectors of the port industry — e.g., The Past, Present and Future of Recreational Marinas by Scott Grindy (Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers) and The Changing Dynamics of Agriculture in the PNW with Jason Middleton, United Grain — offered insights that could be applied to a wider range of disciplines.

Complimenting the strong presentations were the networking opportunities. From the Welcome Reception which afforded the first chance for attendees to greet each other — friends and peers catching up as well as establishing new relationships that would carry on over the next few days — to the buffet dinner which included traditional Hawaiian musicians and dancers (and some brave souls who got into the action, taking lessons from the dancers!).

To view photos of the conference: Click here.

Available presentations (pdf format):

1. Keynote Speaker — Mario Cordero, CEO, Port of Long Beach

2. Pacific Islands Round Table — Moderated by Gus Hein (Mid-Pacific Gateway Director / U.S. Maritime Administration) with panel members: DreanaLee Kalili (Deputy Director / Hawaii Department of Transportation), Rory Respicio (General Manager / Port Authority of Guam) and Mika Aga (Senior Engineer, American Samoa Ports Authority).

3. The Past, Present and Future of Recreational Marinas — Scott Grindy (President / Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers)

4. Disaster Resilience and Recovery – Port to Final Destination — Michael Legler (Transportation Planner / Federal Emergency Management Agency)

5. U.S. Maritime Administration Address — William Paape (Associate Administrator for Ports & Waterways / U.S. Maritime Administration)

6. Changes to Federal policies and programs under a new Presidential Administration — Moderated by Derek Chow (Business Development Manager, / Burns & McDonnell) with panel members: Jeannie Beckett (Principal / The Beckett Group), Michael Legler (Transportation Planner / Federal Emergency Management Agency) and Jeff Wingfield (Deputy Port Director of Regulatory and Public Affairs / Port of Stockton).

7. Infrastructure Maintenance with Vector Corrosion Technologies — Jason Chodachek (South East Territory Manager / Vector Corrosion Technologies)

8. Facilitation of International Trade: The Importance of Ports — Jason Middleton (PNW Regional Manager / United Grain)

9. Unrealistic Regulations Coming to a Port Near You! — Ryan Pessah (Director of Government Relations / Western Wood Preservers Institute)

Thanks to all our sponsors!