The Virginia Maritime Association (VMA)’s International Trade Symposium will be held on May 13, 2010at the Marriott Hotel-Norfolk Waterside. If you need to understand the “new normal” in global maritime shipping, then you need to attend this event. Over 350 executives and business leaders from across the country who are involved in international shipping will be there. The pinnacle activity of the day is the Annual Maritime Banquet starting at 6:00 pm. This year’s keynote is Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and will be another sell-out capacity dinner for VMA and the shipping community.
The program promises to be packed with exclusive maritime information:
8:00am “Opening and Welcome Remarks” by Homer “Butch” Crane, Jr., Chairman, Virginia Maritime Association’s International Trade Symposium Committee
8:15am ” Virginia’s Once and Future Role in the International Marketplace” by Hugh Keogh, President & CEO, Virginia Chamber of Commerece
8:30am “Export Expectations” - As the global economy shows signs of recovery many look for exports to rebound quicker than imports. Exporters and their service providers will discuss the challenges faced by shippers and strategies being employed to successfully grow exports.
- Bill Ralph, President, R. K. Johns 7 Associates, (Panel Moderator)
- Russ Adise, International Trade Specialist, U. S. Department of Commerce
- Kevin Bulman, Sr. Sourcing Manager, Ocean Transportation, MeadWestvaco
- Gary Collins, Senior Vice President, Global Trade and Supply Chain Solutions, Bank of America
- Mark Sagrans, Corporate Counsel Export Controls, Dupont
10:20am “Seeing Green” – The ability to decrease environmental impacts of goods movement is driving more of the decision making for many businesses. Leaders from across the supply chain will discuss “greening” strategies and what they mean to their businesses.
- Jerry Bridges, Executive Director, Virginia Port Authority, (Panel Moderator)
- Joel Haka, Chief Operating Officer, CMA CGM America
- Victor LaRosa, President, Total Transportation Services, Inc.
- Kevin Mack, Vice President Business Development, Columbia Coastal Transport
- Brian McDonald, Vice President of Intermodal, Union Pacific Railroad
- Chris Thomas, Team Leader Region 3 Ports Team, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
12:00pm “Fixing Ocean Carrier Liner Policy” by Luncheon keynoter Peter Keller, Principal of Peter I. Keller and Associates, and until recently Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NYK Group America, will discuss the roller coaster that is the liner business and lay out some ideas going forward to create a more viable Liner Industry for the long term.
1:30pm “Reaching New Horizons” - The Panama Canal expansion, port improvements, terminal capacity and efficiencies, and rail connections are key factors in the routing of cargo and deciding where to locate manufacturing and warehousing operations. Much is changing that sets Virginia apart now and in the future. The discussion will highlight Virginia’s strategic advantages.
- Tom Capozzi, Sr. Managing Director, Global Sales, Virginia International Terminals, (Panel Moderator)
- Jeffrey Heller, Group VP International Intermodal, Norfolk Southern
- James Hertwig, President, CSX Intermodal
- Rodolfo Sabonge, VP Market Research and Analysis, Panama Canal Authority
- Mark Schweitzer, Manging Director of Intermodal and International Container Freight, Archer Daniels Midland
To Register, visit www.VAMaritime.com or Click Banner Below
