Welcome to Nanaimo: the Harbour City
Nanaimo is a vibrant urban centre found on the east side of beautiful Vancouver Island where an abundance of recreation and cultural opportunities give residents a lifestyle second to none for living, working and playing. APP Conference attendees will be delighted by an agenda that highlights Nanaimo's working harbour against a backdrop or natural beauty. Watch this site for updates!
Port of Nanaimo Preview
The link below provides excellent information about getting to and around Nanaimo. From travel information to airports and useful tips, this site will answer most of your questions.
Visit Tourism NanaimoAgenda
Informative and engaging sessions balanced with networking and fun! Please note: as we finalize our agenda, some changes in times may be necessary. Please check back often!APP Executive Committee Meeting
Association business.
Your first stop! Get your name tag and delegate bag filled with sponsor goodies. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and assist you with getting familiar with the conference venue.
Nanaimo Golf Club is a spectacular 18-hole semi-private course, with full practice facilities and Pro Shop. At 6,700 yards from its championship tees, the course is a test for low handicap golfers to produce long, straight drives to reach the greens in regulation. At the same time, the five other sets of tees on each […]
Kicking off the APP’s 11th Annual Conference, your first opportunity to meet new acquaintances, catch up with friends, and enjoy the view of Nanaimo Harbour with refreshments and appetizers.
Your first stop! Get your name tag and delegate bag filled with sponsor goodies. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and assist you with getting familiar with the conference venue.
Session #1: Terminals: Innovations and Efficiencies
Networking / Refreshment Break #1
The tradition continues! This session is continually given the highest marks from attendees as port representatives provide updates within their jurisdictions. Learn about major projects, business trends, and issues faced. The topics raised during this session can then be discussed directly amongst colleagues during meals and networking sessions over the duration of the conference.
The tradition continues! This session is continually given the highest marks from attendees as port representatives provide updates within their jurisdictions. Learn about major projects, business trends, and issues faced. The topics raised during this session can then be discussed directly amongst colleagues during meals and networking sessions over the duration of the conference.
Session #4: Developing a Vibrant Cruise Industry
Focusing on what it takes to build a successful cruise industry, Donna Spalding, representing Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is joined by representatives from top cruise destinations to discuss trends in the industry and what it takes to build a successful cruise business for your port.
Session #5: Commercial Shipping on the West Coast
Moderated by Jamie Marshall, National Sector Lead – Ports and Marine, Colliers Project Leaders, two of the leading marine-policy advocacy organizations on the West Coast of North America join together to highlight commonalities, differences, issues and opportunities for the interface between port, marine terminals and shippers.
Monday Dinner: Saysutshun Salmon Bake
O si:em siye’yu, nuw’ilum (Honoured friends, welcome) to Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) Marine Provincial Park. Known as Saysutshun by the Snuneymuxw, this family friendly park is accessible only by foot passenger ferry or boat. With breathtaking views of the Coastal Mountains and the Harbour City, the island offers a unique natural, historical and cultural experience for visitors. […]
Session #7: Host Port Spotlight
Session #8: Host Port Spotlight
Networking / Refreshment Break #2
Session #9: Host Port Spotlight
Session #10: Transport Canada's National Supply Chain Office
Session #11: Oil Spill Response - Ready Today, Prepared for Tomorrow
As Canada’s West Coast marine response organization for almost 50 years, Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (originally known as Burrard Clean Operations) is internationally renowned for their knowledge and expertise in spill response strategies. Senior Communications Manager Michael Lowry describes the growth of the organization and the plans in place for prevention, preparedness and response […]
Session #12: Emergency Management and Resiliency
Representative Paul Evans, Oregon State Legislature leans on a 30-plus-year career spanning military, National Guard, firefighting and emergency services to share insights into emergency preparedness and resiliency for the transportation sector.
Networking / Refreshment Break #3
Session #13: Associate Member Updates
Practice your two-minute elevator pitch! An open forum for APP’s Associate Members to introduce themselves and explain their products and services that are invaluable to the port community.
Port of Nanaimo Waterfront Operations Tour & Dinner Cruise
A guided tour of the Port of Nanaimo’s waterfront operations followed by dinner and entertainment on board the Magic Spirit, a three-level yacht with panoramic windows, a spacious wraparound deck and a beautiful top sundeck where guests will soak in the beauty of Nanaimo’s surrounding waterfront.
The Association of Pacific Ports Annual General Meeting — all are welcome!
Session #14: One Waterway, Two Legal Systems
American Maritime Lawyer Alan Goldstein and Canadian Maritime Lawyer (TBC) discuss where Canada and the U.S. agree, disagree, cooperate and conflict on major maritime issues.
Session # 15: Looking to the Future: Vessel Traffic and Port Infrastructure Needs
Clear Seas looks at increased vessel traffic numbers and talks about investment options that could apply to the ports in the Pacific region for proposed projects. Clear Seas is a Canadian not-for-profit organization that provides independent fact-based information to enable governments, industry, and the public to make informed decisions on marine shipping issues.
Networking / Refreshment Break #4
Session #16: Governance, Executive Recruitment, and Retention
Shey-Harding Executive Search’s Managing Partner Susan Dvonch is joined by Katie Miller, Deputy Port Director, Administration, Port of Stockton, to enlighten attendees on the keys to building an effective team. Both speakers are renown for their successful recruitment strategies.
Session #17: The Elephant in the Room – Ship Dismantling and Recycling
Alex Rueben, Executive Director for the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI) and Catherine Hofmann, Principal, Catherine Hofmann Law, highlight the issues and implications of regulations covering ship recycling and the resulting implications for ports.
Session #18: Harboring Sustainability: Port Partnerships for Marine Waste
A big part of a port’s responsibility is to handle waste from its vessels. For the Port of Newport in Oregon, that is everything from engine waste to commercial fishing nets. Handling waste properly is incredibly important and something we should all be concerned about; the proximity to the ocean means that anything mismanaged has […]
Session #20: Inspect and Detect to Protect
Konrad Mech highlights the features of Cellula Robotics and its use in underwater security and critical infrastructure inspection.
Session #21: Coastal Intelligence for Marine Safety and Climate Resilience
CEO Scott Beatty described how MarineLabs harnesses the power of their continuously expanding sensor network to provide the highest-resolution data, enhancing safety, streamlining marine operations, and building climate-resilient coastlines.
Details to follow…
Closing Ceremony: Preview of 112th Annual Conference
Final remarks plus a preview of the APP’s 112th Annual Conference location: Guam! Hosted by the Port Authority of Guam.
Meet our amazing speakers
The Venue...
Vancouver Island Conference Centre
Nanaimo, British Columbia CanadaThe Vancouver Island Conference Centre is an award-winning event venue conveniently located in vibrant downtown Nanaimo. A short walk from either of two hotels booked to accommodate conference attendees, the VICC is located in the heart of Nanaimo with easy access to many sites and experiences.
Testimonials from past conferences

Rob Marshy
Chief Technical Officer, GSTSGreat conference! Super glad to have been there.

Kevin Ware
Commissioner, Port of Skagit…one of the best organized APP conferences I have attended…

Philip Bird
Executive Manager - Operations, Marine and Civil MaintenanceTerrific conference. An engaging and collaborative atmosphere. Lots of Ports which was great to see, and we took a lot out of it.