AAPA’s 2017 ‘Shifting Trade Routes’ Conference in Tampa Focused on Planning

From the first program held in 2008 until last year, AAPA’s annual winter conference has been called "Shifting International Trade Routes." For its 10th iteration in Tampa (Feb. 2-3), the focus ‘shifted’ to planning, with the sessions reflecting the breadth and depth of what ports must do to remain relevant and globally competitive.

Hosted by Port Tampa Bay and co-sponsored by the Transportation Research Board in partnership with the American Planning Association’s Florida Chapter and in cooperation with USDOT’s Maritime Administration, AAPA’s 2017 "Planning for Shifting Trade" conference drew an international audience of about 120. This included attendees and speakers from Canada, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Panama, and the United States.

Keynoter Clarence Gooden, president of CSX Corporation, offered a rail-focused perspective on ports and trade. Following Mr. Gooden’s remarks, a group of ocean carrier and marine terminal executives, representing ZIM USA, Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA), Ports America and Ceres Terminals Inc., provided a frank, animated and sometimes eyebrow-raising assessment of the challenges they face, ranging from vessel overcapacity, slower trade and plummeting freight rates, to new alliances, mergers and acquisitions. These challenges are increasing pressures on ports and terminals to improve infrastructure and reduce costs.

A first for this year’s "Shifting" conference was a series of three strategic planning-focused sessions  "Best Practices in Master Planning, Research and Technology Tools," "Regional Planning and Port Cooperation," and "Growth Strategies – Maximizing Land Use, Property Acquisition and Using Inland Terminals." AAPA offered certification maintenance credits to eligible attendees who are members of the American Institute of Certified Planners. 

The conference proceedings are available on the AAPA Website.

Port Tampa Bay Commissioner Sandy Murman receives plaque from AAPA President Kurt Nagel honoring the host of this year’s AAPA Shifting Trade conference.
Photo/AAPA