As part of the American Association of Port Authorities’ 94th Annual Convention here next week (port executives from three of the worst-hit seaports in the Gulf Coast after hurricanes Katrina and Rita will gather on Oct. 27, together with a Caribbean port executive whose facilities were ravaged by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. Their goals are to compare notes, detail the challenges they faced (and may still be facing), and assess opportunities for improving preparedness and response to similar crises in the future. The “Hurricane Preparation and Recovery” panel comprises Gary LaGrange, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans…