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Ports of Houston, Corpus Christi, together with AAPA, to host infrastructure forums, port media tours later this month

ALEXANDRIA, Va.  (Aug. 2, 2016) – The Port of Houston Authority and Port Corpus Christi, in conjunction with the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), will hold separate freight industry “Influencers Roundtables” on Aug. 17 (at the Port of Houston Authority) and Aug. 18 (at Port Corpus Christi), followed each day by a tour of that port.

Media are invited to participate in either or both ports’ events.

Titled, “Freight: Keep it Moving,” the two port forums will bring together key thought-leaders throughout the transportation industry to explore critical issues facing U.S. seaports and discuss the increasing strain on the nation’s freight transportation infrastructure. Roundtable participants will be business, port and association executives, supply chain logistics professionals, academics and government officials, who will share their thoughts on the challenges, priorities and possible solutions for making investments in America’s freight transportation network.

In addition to the roundtable discussion and lunch each day, the Port of Houston Authority on Aug. 17, and Port Corpus Christi on Aug. 18, will provide a tour of some of their key marine shipping facilities to help illustrate what was discussed at that day’s “Influencer Roundtable.”

Port of Houston Authority Agenda Port Corpus Christi Agenda

“With manufacturers, policymakers and innovators striving to boost the U.S. economy and create jobs, the role played by America’s ports is more critical than ever,” said AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle. “But today, at a time of increasing trade volumes and global competition, these critical economic engines are under threat by a lack of infrastructure investment. Participants in these two forums are part of an elite group of industry thought-leaders whose insights, ideas and solutions to the infrastructure ‘investment gap’ can help pave the way to providing much-needed solutions.”

The Port of Houston, which is the nation’s second-largest tonnage port and the Gulf Coast’s leading container port, comprises eight public and more than 150 private terminals. It was formed by the state of Texas for the purpose of creating jobs and economic development. The Houston port, continuing to pursue its vision to be “America’s distribution hub for the next generation,” is responsible for 16 percent of the Texas economy while 7 million Texas residents are employed by companies that have a reliance on freight transportation.

Port Corpus Christi is the eighth-largest tonnage port in the United States and expects to see $40 billion in direct investment into Texas’ Coastal Bend Region over the next 10 years. With deep roots in the petrochemical industries, Port Corpus Christi continues to pursue its vision to be “the energy port of the Americas,” as well as the top wind energy port in the nation.

In a recent AAPA survey, Texas ports and their private-sector partners said they are planning nearly $48 billion in capital investments over the next five years to handle the expected cargo volume growth and address freight mobility. Because of this, the ports of Houston and Corpus Christi are the perfect backdrop for a discussion on possible solutions to America’s freight transportation infrastructure needs.

WHO:
Port of Houston Authority, Port Corpus Christi and American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA).

WHAT:
Freight industry “Influencers Roundtable” and port facilities tour at each port.

WHERE/WHEN:        
Port of Houston Authority Board Room, 111 East Loop North Houston, TX; Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for “Influencers Roundtable,” followed by port tour from 12:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Port Corpus Christi’s Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center, 402 Harbor Drive, Corpus Christi, TX; Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. for “Influencers Roundtable,” followed by port tour from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHY:
To bring together key business, port and association executives, supply chain logistics professionals, academics and government officials to share their thoughts on the challenges, priorities and possible solutions for making investments in America’s freight transportation network.

MEDIA:
Credentialed media are encouraged to participate in either the Houston and/or Corpus Christi roundtable forum, and either the Houston or Corpus Christi port tour. Please RSVP by Aug. 10 to Aaron Ellis, Public Affairs Director, AAPA – aellis@aapa-ports.org or (703) 706-4714.

For more information, Contact:

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