AMERICAN ASSN OF PORT AUTHORITIES INC

MEMBER SERVICES - THE ASSOCIATION PERFORMS VARIOUS MEMBER SERVICES ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING: SEMINARS AND SPRING CONFERENCE: THE ASSOCIATION PERFORMS 10-12 MARITIME INDUSTRY TRAINING PROGRAMS EACH YEAR INCLUDING SUCH TOPICS AS SHIFTING TRADE, PUBLIC RELATIONS, SMART PORTS AND CAPITAL PROJECTS.PROFESSIONAL PORT MANAGER ("PPM") PROGRAM: THE PPM IS AN UNPARALLELED INDUSTRY CREDENTIAL DESIGNED TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF PORT LEADERSHIP AND ENHANCE PORT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALISM. THE INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED PORT CERTIFICATE WILL HELP ENHANCE THE CAREERS OF LOW TO MID LEVEL PORT EMPLOYEES/MARITIME PROFESSIONALS AS WELL AS THOSE NEW TO THE INDUSTRY.TOOLKIT: THE ASSOCIATION HAS SIGNED A COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. MARITIME ADMINISTRATION TO WORK TOGETHER ON A PORT PLANNING AND INVESTMENT TOOLKIT. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP TOOLS THAT WILL ASSIST PORTS IN OBTAINING FUNDING IN A VARIETY OF WAYS: (1) IMPROVE THE CHANCES OF GETTING PORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN MPO AND STATE TRANSPORTATION PLANS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FORMULA FUNDING; (2) BETTER POSITION PORT PROJECTS FOR FEDERAL FUNDING SUCH AS BILLED GRANTS; AND (3) ASSIST PORTS IN OBTAINING PRIVATE SECTOR FUNDING.

ADVOCACY - THE ASSOCIATION INFLUENCES PUBLIC POLICY AS THE PORTS' RECOGNIZED VOICE IN WASHINGTON. THE ASSOCIATION'S HIGHEST PRIORITY IS THE ADVANCEMENT OF PORT AND FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION POLICIES THAT SUPPORT THE MEMBERSHIP'S ROLE IN DELIVERING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY. THE ASSOCIATION AND ITS MEMBERSHIP HAVE ALSO EMBARKED ON A STRATEGIC AWARENESS INITIATIVE CALLED SEAPORTS DELIVER PROSPERITY, TO GARNER ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR SEAPORTS AND INDUSTRY ISSUES BY HEIGHTENING THE AWARENESS OF THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF PORTS.