Growth and Innovation in Shipping and Trade – Port Days 2011

Port Days – the Halifax Port Authority’s (HPA) annual business conference – is back again, taking place this year on Wednesday, Sept. 14 and Thursday, Sept. 15.

Port Days offers a great way to bring stakeholders from all areas of the industry together to share ideas and discuss current issues. Our industry has rebounded well from the recession and we need to keep discussing opportunities for growth and innovation to facilitate future development.

The theme for Port Days 2011 is ‘Growth and Innovation’ featuring a variety of business sessions and networking opportunities for individuals and organizations involved in shipping and trade.

On Thursday afternoon, keynote speaker Andy Ellis, Senior Vice-President of Supply Chain and Logistics for Wal-Mart Canada Corp., will speak on the increasingly important topic of environmental sustainability in the retail industry.

Kicking things off Thursday morning are two discussion panel business sessions.

The first business session – moderated by HPA Business Development Manager Patrick Bohan – will look at intriguing cargo growth developments involving technology, infrastructure and entrepreneurship. Panelists include Gordon Neal, Chief Executive Officer of Aqualife North America Inc.; Pat d’Entremont, Partner at Nicom IT Solutions Inc.; and Jeff Brownlie, Finance and Administration Manager, Halifax Grain Elevator Limited.

The second session will examine trends and interrelationships in the industry that may determine what’s to come for containerized cargo long term. HPA Vice-President, Commercial Paul DuVoisin, will moderate the discussion with panelists Paul Waite, Vice-President Intermodal, CN;  Tim Harrington,  Vice-President, Sales,  NYK Line (Canada) Inc.’s; and Brad Doell, Vice-President, Supply Chain & Procurement, Nova Scotia Liquor Corp.

With a noteworthy roster of speakers and panelists at this year’s Port Days, this will be an invaluable opportunity to learn, make connections and do some meaningful business.

To learn more or to register go to https://secure.portdays.com/PortDays/Default.aspx.

 

Port Days 2011

 Wednesday September 14, 2011

• Port Days Golf Tournament & BBQ – 7:00 a.m. registration, 8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start at Glen Arbour Golf Course, followed by BBQ Lunch
• Opening Reception – 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Cunard Centre
• Trade Show – takes place Wednesday during Opening Reception and Thursday during Breakfast and Business Sessions at the Cunard Centre

Thursday September 15, 2011

• Chairman’s Breakfast, 7:00-8:45 a.m., Cunard Centre. Guest speaker is The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans as well as The Atlantic Gateway. Remarks from Mark MacDonald, Chair, Halifax Port Authority.

• Business Sessions, 9:00 – 11:45 a.m., Cunard Centre

  • Business Session One:  Cargo Innovation Panel, 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

  • Business Session Two:  Future of Containerization, 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

• Keynote Luncheon – Speaker: Andy Ellis, Wal-Mart Canada Corp.  Luncheon begins at 12:00 p.m.,  Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Heritage Hall, Halifax, NS

• Terminal Operators’ & Stevedores’ Reception, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Cunard Centre

• Lobster Feast Dinner, 7:00 p.m. following Terminal Operators’ & Stevedores’ Reception

 

Michele Peveril is the Senior Manager, Strategic Relations at the Halifax Port Authority.