American Association of Port Authorities to Hold Its 97th Annual Convention in Anchorage,...

American Association of Port Authorities to Hold Its 97th Annual Convention in
Anchorage, Sept. 21-25
'Flags Of Our Fathers' Author James Bradley To Keynote

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the largest city in
Alaska and home to one of the nation's 19 "strategic" seaports, Anchorage will
be the site of the American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) 97th
Annual Convention and Exhibition, Sept. 21-25. The "North to Alaska"-themed
convention, the first to be held in Anchorage's brand-new downtown Dena'ina
Civic & Convention Center, will attract hundreds of seaport and maritime
transportation leaders, industry experts and service providers to participate
in a business agenda featuring many of the seaport industry's key issues and
top executives.
Serving as the convention's keynote speaker will be James Bradley, noted
author of the New York Times' #1 best-seller, "Flags of Our Fathers," from
which the Clint Eastwood-directed movie of the same name was released in late
2006. The title of Mr. Bradley's inspirational presentation is, "Doing the
Impossible."
Kurt Nagle, AAPA's president and CEO, remarked that the location of this
year's Port of Anchorage-hosted convention conjures up images of an urban
oasis surrounded by rugged wilderness, bountiful wildlife, glacier-fed rivers
and mesmerizing Native Alaskan culture.
"Convention participants," said Mr. Nagle, "are in for a true 'Alaska
experience' while taking part in a comprehensive business program with some of
the seaport industry's top leaders discussing challenges ranging from port
expansion, project financing and freight mobility, to new environmental and
security measures at cruise ports."
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 10 - 11 a.m., Mr. Nagle, together with AAPA's
chairman of the board and chair-elect, will hold an informal media briefing in
the convention center's 2nd floor K'enakatnu Executive Boardroom to discuss
seaport industry issues and answer questions.
The convention will conclude with a members-only annual meeting and
installation of new officers for the Association's upcoming year, including
appointment of Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D.,
as Chairman of the Board for 2008-2009.
Additional information about AAPA's 97th Annual Convention and Exhibition,
including the business program agenda and media registration, is available at
http://www.aapa2008.com.
WHO: American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
WHAT: 97th Annual Convention & Exhibition
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 21 - Thursday, Sept. 25
WHERE: The new Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center in downtown Anchorage
MEDIA: Register for media access to open meetings (Sept. 23-25) at
http://www.aapa2008.com

About AAPA
Founded in 1912, AAPA 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 website at www.aapa-ports.org
SOURCE American Association of Port Authorities

Aaron Ellis, +1-703-706-4714, aellis@aapa-ports.org