Port Leaders To Focus on Trade and Security at Convention

Port authority leaders from across the Western Hemisphere will gather from September 22 - 26, 2002, at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, to address issues such as trade trends, maritime security, financing requirements at ports, and cruise operations. The 91st Annual Convention of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is expected to attract up to 800 delegates and guests to Palm Beach. The Port of Palm Beach will serve as host and plans a number of social events to highlight the region. The Palm Beach Annual Convention will begin with a reception on Sunday evening, September 22. Technical and policy committees will meet on Monday, September 23. The business program will officially begin with opening ceremonies on Tuesday, September 24, and conclude following lunch on Thursday, September 26. The Annual Chairman's Gala Dinner will be the final Convention event on Thursday evening, September 26.

Also during the AAPA Annual Convention, members will install Agustin Díaz as Chairman of the Board. Díaz is currently deputy general manager of the Curaçao Ports Authority, Inc. Díaz was elected Chairman of the Board-Elect by AAPA's Board of Directors during its March Spring Conference meeting, from the Latin American Delegation. He will succeed current Chairman of the Board Dick Steinke, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach. Before joining the Curaçao Ports Authority, Mr. Díaz was the commissioner of the island government in charge of ports. He has served as a senator in the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles and been a member of the Island Council of Curaçao. Díaz has also worked as an educator and been the chief editor of the daily "La Prensa." He holds a degree in teaching the Dutch language and a law degree from the University of the Netherlands Antilles.