Join us for the exciting inaugural year of the Houston International Maritime Conference hosted by Port Houston.
Enjoy networking and informational sessions on topics like import and export container trade, high wide and heavy cargo, sustainability, warehousing / distribution, Foreign Trade Zone, and workforce development. Attend alongside decision makers from BCOs, ocean carriers, NVOCCs, freight forwarders, trucking companies and more, and learn about current trends and the future of the maritime industry.
Brian Fielkow
Strategic Advisor and Board Member
Shareen Larmond
President
David Cummins
President & CEO
Lee Kindberg
Head of Environment & Sustainability, North America
Trae Campble
Director, Environmental Affairs
B.J. Simon
President/CEO
Andrew Young
Logistics Manager
Robert Jacquet
Vice President of Commercial
Nadia Scornaienchi
Director of North American International Trade Operations
Michael Symonanis
Director, Strategic Network
Giancarlo Morgera
Executive Vice President, Export Liner Services
Melissa Contrevo
Director of International Logistics
Kim Vaccaro
Director of Global Operations
Jonathan Gold
Vice President, Supply Chain & Customs Policy
Dominic Sun
Director of Trade Development
Alan Robb
President of South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District
Patrick Jankowski
Senior Vice President of Research
Adriana Cruz
Executive Director, Economic Development & Tourism
Maria Aguirre
Director, Community Relations
Lori Brownell
Director, Channel Improvement
Jeff Davis
Chief Port Operations Officer
Rich Byrnes
Chief Port Infrastructure Officer
Rina Lawrence
Manager, Economic Development
Ricardo Arias
Manager, Trade Development
Ty Reasonover
Senior Manager, Trade Development
HIMC Agenda
Monday, October 24th:
*All times in Central Standard Time. All sessions will be hosted at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston, except for the closing reception. Registration includes access to all sessions and closing reception.
7:00 AM – Registration opens
7:15 AM – Breakfast
8:00 AM – Opening remarks by Roger Guenther, Executive Director, Port Houston
8:15 AM – Session 1 – State of the Economy
Speaker – Patrick Jankowski, Senior Vice President of Research, Greater Houston Partnership
Description: Global, national, and regional economic outlook. Hear from one of our region’s experts, whose analysis has appeared in Forbes, CNN Money, The Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post.
9:00 AM – Session 2 – Navigating our Port Future (Panel Discussion)
Moderator & Panelist – Lori Brownell, Director of Channel Improvement, Port Houston
Panelist – Jeff Davis, Chief Port Operations Officer, Port Houston
Panelist – Rich Byrnes, Chief Infrastructure Officer, Port Houston
Description: Hear how we are using a multi-disciplinary approach at Port Houston for operational excellence via upland and maritime advancement. Panelist Jeff Davis will talk about minimizing supply chain issues through strategic growth and innovation. Panelist Rich Byrnes will talk about resilience through diversification and sustainable infrastructure. Moderator and Panelist will talk about advancing the marine highway.
9:45 AM – Networking Break
10:00 AM – Session 3 – Ask the experts: Changing the Outlook of the Import Market (Panel Discussion)
Moderator – Dominic Sun, Director of Trade Development, Port Houston
Panelist – Jonathan Gold, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy, National Retail Federation
Panelist – Kim Vaccaro, Director of Global Operations, The Home Depot
Panelist – Melissa Contrevo, Director of International Logistics, Five Below
Description – Open and transparent discussions with leaders from various segments of the import supply chain. In conversation they will offer a broad perspective on shifting demand and sourcing, along with insights on dealing with the potential of future supply chain disruptions.
10:45 AM – Session 4 – Keeping America Competitive: Container export flow in Houston (Panel Discussion)
Moderator – Ty Reasonover, Trade Development Manager, Port Houston
Panelist – Giancarlo Morgera, Executive Vice President of Export Liner Services, MSC USA
Panelist – Michael Symonanis, Director of Strategic Network, Louis Dreyfus Company
Panelist – Nadia Scornaienchi, Director of North American International Trade Operations, Dow Chemical
Description – What are best practices for shippers and ocean carriers to expedite the flow of exports to global markets? What has the Houston region done well with, and what can be improved? Hear about this and more.
11:30 AM – Networking Break
12:00 PM – Lunch
1:00 PM – Session 5 – Project Cargo – Adapting to the Winds of Change (Panel Discussion)
Moderator – Ricardo Arias, Trade Development Manager, Port Houston
Panelist – Robert Jacquet, Vice President of Commercial, BBC Chartering
Panelist – Andrew Young, Logistics Manager & BDTS, Bechtel Global Logistics
Description – How terminals must get ready for changing cargoes including a potential increase in sustainability project cargo.
1:45 PM – Session 6 – The Texas Economy: A State of Growth (Panel Discussion)
Moderator – Rina Lawrence, Manager of Economic Development, Port Houston
Panelist – BJ Simon, President/CEO, Baytown-West Chambers County Economic Development Foundation
Panelist – Adriana Cruz, Executive Director of Texas Economic Development & Tourism, Office of the Texas Governor
Description – A discussion on what is driving the more than two-year boom on the Texas and Port Houston region. What factors and trends are driving this peak, and will it slow down?
2:30 PM – Networking Break
2:45 PM – Session 7 – Sustainability and Energy Transition (Panel Discussion)
Moderator – Trae Camble, Director of Environmental Affairs, Port Houston
Panelist – Lee Kindberg, Head of Environment & Sustainability, North America, Maersk
Panelist – David Cummins, President & CEO, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition
3:30 PM – Session 8 – The Workforce of the Future (Panel Discussion)
Moderator – Maria Aguirre, Director of Community Relations, Port Houston
Panelist – Shareen Larmond, President, West Gulf Maritime Association
Panelist – Alan Robb, Assistant General Organizer/President of South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District, International Longshoreman’s Association, AFL-CIO
Panelist – Brian Fielkow, Strategic Advisor and Board Member, The GTI Group
Description – A conversation with leaders in the maritime workforce and academic development fields about current workforce needs, predictions of future needs, and what is being done to ensure we are developing the workforce of the future.
4:15 PM – Closing remarks by Roger Guenther, Executive Director, Port Houston
4:30 PM – Adjourn
5:00 PM – Closing reception at Greater Houston Partnership 701 Avenida de las Americas, Suite 900 Houston, TX 77010 (Included in admission)
Thanks to our Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Diamond Sponsor
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Platinum Sponsor
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Gold Sponsor
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Lunch Sponsor
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact [email protected]
Join the Conversation #HIMC2022
Hotels
HIMC 2022 will be hosted at the Four Season Hotel in Downtown Houston. There are no discounted rooms available at the Four Seasons, but there are hotels available within walking distance. Below is a list of recommended hotels:
Hilton Americas – Houston (0.2 miles away)
Le Méridien – Houston Downtown (0.2 miles away)
Marriott Marquis – Houston (0.3 miles away)
Courtyard by Marriott – Houston Downtown (0.3 miles away)
Hampton Inn – Houston Downtown (0.3 miles away)
The Westin – Houston Downtown (0.4 miles away)
JW Marriott – Houston Downtown (0.4 miles away)
Hyatt Regency – Houston (0.5 miles away)
Things to Do in Houston
While attending HIMC 2022, take advantage of exploring the great city of Houston. Whether you’re looking for a solo outing, a night out with the team or you’ve brought the family for an extended stay, H-Town has something for everyone. From outdoor recreations and sporting events to exciting nightlife and delicious dining spots, there’s plenty to do. Below is a list of recommendations:
Restaurants
Bayou & Bottle
The Rustic – Downtown
Hearsay on the Green
Pappasito’s Cantina
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Saltgrass Steakhouse
Lounges/Bars
MKT Bar
The Rustic – Downtown
Reserve 101
Z ON 23 Rooftop Bar
Pitch 25 Beer Garden
Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar
Biggio’s Sports Bar
Family Fun
Minute Maid Park – Houston Astros
PNC Stadium – Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash
Toyota Center – Houston Rockets
Downtown Aquarium – Houston
Bayou Music Center
House of Blues – Houston
Wortham Theatre Center
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Discover Green Park
Sam Houston Park
Museum of Fine Arts – Houston
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Children’s Museum – Houston
Houston Zoo