Maritime Security Expo at Javits Center, New York

More than 3000 attendees and 200 exhibitors will use the fourth annual U.S. Maritime Security Exposition and Conference (MSE) to concentrate on what it takes to implement maritime security policy in the U.S. and around the world, according to Michael Rosenberg, Vice President, Security Division of E.J. Krause, the event's organizer. Mr. Rosenberg says the two-day event, which has grown to one of the largest of its kind in the world, will begin on September 20 at New York's Jacob Javits Convention Center. Mr. Rosenberg expects "attendees, exhibitors, and speakers from 50 countries, who are ready to take the next steps in protecting maritime commerce, ports and the associated transportation infrastructure from terrorism." "Shippers, carriers, and manufacturers are making significant progress in working with the public sector to secure maritime commerce worldwide, and we at E.J. Krause believe that the international forum this event has provided for the past three years has played a key role in fostering that progress. We have designed this year's conference agenda and exhibition to contribute to everyone's achieving even more measurable advances," Mr. Rosenberg said. In addition to an impressive list of invited speakers from the senior ranks of government and industry, Mr. Rosenberg says MSE will serve as a networking opportunity for a growing number of coalitions with missions targeted towards facilitating how and where government homeland security funding is distributed. Groups such as State Assemblies for Emergency Response (SAFE) and the Hazardous Incident Response Equipment (HIRE) multi-state purchasing cooperative, are schedule to have representatives at the event to introduce their organizations to the maritime and homeland security community. SAFE, a not for profit organization founded by four state legislators, serves as a voice for the first responder community across the U.S. The group says it will promote model legislation and case studies for states to share as they establish their homeland security needs and will act as a liaison between state and federal government agencies in homeland security funding issues. "SAFE is one of the most important coalitions in the homeland security area. It will transform 'we must do something' into 'we have done a lot' to empower first responders so they can effectively strengthen the front line in the war on terror here in the US," said New Jersey Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, one of SAFE's founding board members. Launched in June, SAFE boasts a growing membership, including homeland security directors from nine states, state fire marshals from 17 states, and legislators from seven states. Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA) is the group's honorary chair. SAFE will outline its 2006 priorities at a member breakfast at MSE on Sept 21. HIRE is a joint initiative of The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) and the New York State Office of General Services. Under HIRE contracts, the state governments of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington will be able to use the multi-vendor provisions of a HIRE contract to purchase their homeland security goods and services with grant funds received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at significant discounts. Mr. Rosenberg says MSE attendees will receive a "special report on how HIRE will benefit local governments, public school districts, fire departments, libraries, and other private and nonprofit organizations as well as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey." "For the homeland security vendor community, the HIRE centralized contract represents a nation-wide, state-level homeland security market, potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Under a HIRE contract, winning vendors will be able to reach into 15 different states without having to develop 15 different marketing plans," he explained. "We are delighted to have these kinds of action-oriented groups participating in the U.S. Maritime Security Expo and Conference, and we are confident that their successes will significantly enhance the efficiency of the homeland security funding process. That can only mean faster, safer, and better protection for all Americans," Mr. Rosenberg concluded. For further information, go to http://www.maritimesecurityexpo.com. E.J. Krause is pleased to offer the news media complimentary registration at http://www.pacificdialogue.com/pd2002_preg.htm.