Conference Agenda Released for Upcoming "Rebuilding America & Creating Jobs: A Maritime Forum"

The Maritime Executive will host a national maritime forum, "Rebuilding America and Creating Jobs," in Baltimore on October 12 & 13, 2011, the beginning of a national campaign to jumpstart the American economy that will continue throughout 2012 and right up to Election Day in November. Today, the Jones Act generates $100 billion in economic activity while providing employment for more than 500,000 Americans. While this is a good start, much more can be done through the Jones Act to rebuild America's industrial base and generate hundreds of thousands of desperately needed new jobs.

America's marine highways have been underutilized for decades due to failed federal policies and inadequate funding mechanisms. Today, while the infrastructure is in place, U.S. vessel operators, shipbuilders, training institutions and port authorities have been overlooked as vital assets in the U.S. economic recovery plan. The Maritime Executive, with your support, aims to change that perspective in Congress and, most importantly, among the American people through a media campaign titled Strong Ships for America and a series of strategic maritime conferences.

Rebuilding America & Creating Jobs – A Maritime Forum will be a 2 day forum with four panels of discussion:

Master of Ceremonies: John Graykowski, Principal, Maritime Industry Consultants, & former Deputy & Acting Administrator of MARAD

Wednesday, October 12th

Day 1 Kickoff (9:00)

Requirements & Realities: Do we have the resources to make America’s Marine Highway a reality? What are the major challenges? (9:30 - 11:45)

Moderator: Charlie Papavizas, Partner, Winston and Strawn LLP

· Percy Pyne, Chairman & Founding Partner, American Feeder Lines
· Roger Bohnert, Deputy Associate Administrator, Intermodal System Development, MARAD
· Eric Deans, Director of Shipping and Policy Research, Maritime Authority of Jamaica

Lunch (12:00 - 1:30): Speaker- Joseph Cox, President & CEO, Chamber of Shipping of America

Fleet & Infrastructure: Who will build the next generation of Jones Act vessels and related infrastructure? Where will the funding come from? (2:00 - 4:30)

Moderator: Michael Roberts, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Crowley Maritime Corporation

· Tom Allegretti, President & CEO, The American Waterways Operators
· Mike Toohey, Chairman & President, Waterways Council, Inc.
· Matt Paxton, President, Shipbuilders Council of America
· Richard Marler, CEO, Signal International

Dinner & Reception (6:00 - 9:00)

Thursday, October 13th

Day 2 Kickoff (9:00)

Opportunities & Feasibility: Why Short Sea Shipping Makes Sense Now. (9:30 - 11:45)

Moderator: H. Clay Cook Jr., Counsel, Seward & Kissel LLP

· Jonathan Kaskin, Director, Strategic Mobility and Combat, Logistics Division, US Navy
· John Reeve, President, Reeve & Associates
· Marygrace Parker, Freight, Mobility, Safety & Security Coordinator, I-95 Corridor Coalition
· Henry Marcus, Professor, Mechanical Engineering - Marine Systems, MIT

Lunch (12:00 - 1:30): Speaker- Mark Ruge, Partner, K & L Gates and Counsel, American Maritime Partnership

Public Opinion, Government Policy & Maritime Education: Public/private partnerships are the key to nurturing job creation and economic renewal. (1:45 - 4:00)

Moderator: Jack O’Connell, Senior Editor, The Maritime Executive Magazine

· Cheron Wicker, Director of Strategic Communications, MARAD
· John Cullather, Former Staff Director, House Subcommittee on USCG & Maritime Transportation
· Glen Paine, Executive Director, MITAGS
· Mike Jewel, President, M.E.B.A.

Closing remarks (4:00- 4:30)

*Schedule is subject to change. Please click HERE to register for this event now.

**Note: The final agenda is not completed and will be updated in accordance to speaker schedules and topics