ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 15, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Seven years after 9/11, continually strengthening port security to thwart terrorism remains a top priority among public seaports. The American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) 12th Port Security Seminar and Exhibition, to be held in Houston, Tex., July 16-18, will address these concerns, focusing on the security and safety challenges confronting public seaport agencies and marine terminal operators throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The seminar will also feature a day-long exhibition on July 17 to showcase the latest security trends, technologies and products in the seaport industry.
"Port security continues to be one of the highest priorities for our member ports, both here in the U.S. and throughout the hemisphere," said Kurt Nagle, AAPA's president and CEO. "This seminar will bring together top government officials, port leaders, terminal operators and private-sector security experts to share their knowledge and discuss best industry practices with their colleagues."
Some of the key topics to be discussed include implementing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program (including the devices that will eventually "read" the embedded biometrics in TWIC identification cards); working with federal port security program initiatives such as Operation Safe Port and the new "100 percent" cargo screening mandates; and planning for disaster recovery and continuity of business after a terrorist incident.
Other presentations and speaker panels will cover port security surveys, cruise terminal security, security at special events, counter-terrorism strategies, waterside security, cargo theft deterrence and railroad security at seaports.
Among the featured speakers will be Dr. Chuck Gallaway, deputy director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who will be the July 16 luncheon speaker, and Todd Owen, U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Cargo and Conveyance Security executive director, who will provide a presentation on Operation Safe Port, radiation portals and other federal port security program initiatives.
Hosting the seminar with AAPA will be the Port of Houston Authority. Corporate sponsors include SecurePort, Lockheed Martin Corporation and ICx Technologies.
More information about AAPA's Port Security Seminar and Exposition is available at www.aapa-ports.org (click on the "Programs & Events" tab) or by calling AAPA's Ed O'Connell at 703-684-5700.
WHO: American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
WHAT: Seminar covering key security and safety challenges
confronting public seaports
WHEN: Wednesday-Friday, July 16-18, 2008 (Day 1, 8:30am-7:30pm; Day
2, 8:45am-6pm; Day 3, 8:00am-12:30pm)
WHERE: Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel, 1600 Lamar, Houston, TX 77010
Tel: (713) 739-8000
MEDIA: Credentialed journalists interested in covering the seminar
for media purposes are asked to contact Aaron Ellis,
aellis@aapa-ports.org, to obtain a media pass.
AAPA was founded in 1912 and today represents 160 of the leading public port authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, the Association represents more than 300 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest in the seaports of the Western Hemisphere. AAPA port members are public entities mandated by law to serve public purposes. They facilitate waterborne commerce and contribute to local, regional and national economic growth. These ports are gateways to world trade and are critical components to their nation's economic health, national defense and growing cruise industry. In 2007, commercial seaport and marine cargo operations in the U.S. generated $3.2 trillion of total economic activity and provided jobs for 13.3 million Americans, whose earnings and consumption totaled nearly $650 billion.
This release can also be found on AAPA's Web site at www.aapa-ports.org