EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Can’t wait to meet you in person
O
ne month after I took on the role of Executive Director for the Association of Pacific Ports, COVID-19 shut down the world and scuttled a business plan that included visiting ports, attending conferences such as Seatrade in Miami and Clean Pacific in Seattle, and, of course, both our Annual and Winter Conferences. What a year... With vaccines rolling out and light at the end of the tunnel that indicates life will return to “normal” by fall, we’re very excited to be planning the APP Annual Conference — hosted by the Port of San Diego, October 24 to 27, 2021, at the InterContinental Hotel,
located on the downtown waterfront and offering spectacular views of San Diego Bay. Given the challenges we’ve all felt over the past year, especially when it comes to networking and developing relationships, the opportunity to finally meet in person, enjoy a coffee (or a golf game) together, or participate in a discussion that doesn’t start with “turn your mute button off” is one that fills me with great anticipation. Let’s face it — nothing takes the place of direct human contact. And while Pacific Ports Magazine has provided an alternative way for us to share topics of relevance to the three streams of port oversight — governance,
management, and operations — there is so much more that can be imparted through an in-person conference. With this in mind, I invite and encourage you to participate! As we plan our event over the coming months, I’m hoping to hear about your ideas for speakers, panel sessions, and topics that are important to you. Odds are very good that there are other APP Members equally interested in the same subject. Given that this will be the first in-person event many of us will be attending in such a long time, let’s make this conference one for the history books! — Jane McIvor
APP PORT MEMBERS
April 2021 — PACIFIC PORTS — 5
