Early results from the APP’s exit survey for the 2026 Winter Conference (January 29 to 30, 2026 at the Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu, Hawaii) show high marks for every aspect of this year’s agenda, speakers, excursions and venue! Attendees found the balance between presentations and plenary sessions, and networking opportunities to be “perfect” with one respondent noting that the “size of the event allows for the ability to have one on one conversations during breaks and meals”.
While all presenters received top marks for content and relevance to ports, the star of the show was undoubtedly Maripas Jacoba with the Port of Hueneme. “LOVED! She left me with goosebumps and tears in my eyes. Loved every bit of it. The passion, the delivery, the authenticity, and the tangible examples of action, impact, and ambition.” Positive feedback was also noted for the APP’s traditional Port Update Session where each port representative is given the opportunity to update members on activities within their jurisdictions. “This was one of the higher value sessions of the conference,” noted one respondent.
The panel session on Logistic Challenges and Requirements for Military Buildup in the Pacific with moderator Derek Chow, Burns & McDonnell was notable for receiving one of the highest marks of the survey. With panelists from The Pasha Group, Young Brothers, and Burns & McDonnell, the session peaked the interest of many in the audience — so much so that a request was made to continue the discussion during our 112th Annual Conference in Guam (August 3 to 6, 2026).
Highlights of the conference included a five-star (out of five) rating for both the Hoakalei Country Club golf game as well as the Waterfront Tour of Honolulu Harbor onboard the Star of Honolulu. Great feedback was also provided for the Hawaiian dinner, complete with Hawaiian musicians, hula dancers and a fire/knife performer.
Even the venue — the Kahala Hotel & Resort — was commended: “Great Hotel, Wonderful Staff, Good Value!”
Presentation pdfs as well as a link to our FLIKR site with photos are below, but first: a big thanks to all of our sponsors! The conference would not be possible without them.
Thanks to all our sponsors!
We appreciate the support of our sponsors! We encourage you to visit their websites to learn more…
Admiral Sponsors: Port of Long Beach | Matson | Port Authority of Guam | The Pasha Group | Young Brothers
Commodore Sponsors: Liebherr | Port of Hueneme
Captain Sponsors: Port of Redwood City | Port of Stockton | Port of Umatilla | Port of Skagit | Port of San Diego| HDR Inc. | Kongsberg Maritime
Lieutenant Sponsor: SSA Marine
Crew Sponsors: Lynker | Burns & McDonnell | Schrader Co Sales LLC
Visit our FLIKR site for all the photos of the APP 2026 Winter Conference.
Presentations (PDF format)
Thursday, January 29, 2026:
- MARAD Update (Gus Hein, Mid-Pacific Gateway Director, U.S. Maritime Administration)
- Port and Maritime Leadership Insights (Eric Gilmore, Director of Business Development, International Association of Maritime and Port Executives)
- Ports and PFAS (Anya Kwan, Associate, Best Best & Krieger LLP)
- Emission Reductions and Community Efforts (Joe Carrillo, Regional Vice President, Northern California, SSA Marine and Jeff Wingfield, Deputy Port Director of Regulatory and Public Affairs, Port of Stockton)
- Leading with Clarity in an AI-Driven World (Walter Anderson, PortSecure Cybersecurity)
- Turning Vessel Emissions Data into Better Port Decisions (Annfinn Hjelm, Chief Commercial Officer, Environmental Port Index)
- Port of Hueneme’s SPEED Initiative (Maripas Jacoba, Community Outreach Specialist, Port of Hueneme)
Friday, January 30, 2026:
- Update on Green Marine Initiatives (Eleanor Kirtley, Senior Program Manager, Green Marine)
- Ports as Catalysts: Building the Circular Economy from the Shore Up (Blair Tassone, Director of Business Development, and Deanna Woods, Director of People & Product Development, GRT)
- Recession “Proofing” Your Marina (Scott Grindy, President, Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers)
