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!

4
Days
Over 14
Networking Opportunities
22
Presentations
Exciting
Companion Program

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 Nanaimo

Agenda

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!
9:00 am - 5:00 pm Off-site

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Douglas Rispin Room

Association business.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Mt. Benson Ballroom A

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.  

1:30 pm - 4:30 pm Off-site

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.  

7:00 am - 9:00 am Mt. Benson Ballroom A

7:30 am - 3:30 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.  

8:30 am - 8:45 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

8:45 am - 9:15 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

9:15 am - 10:15 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

The goal of this session is to highlight best practices in terminal operations to achieve greater efficiencies and sustainability. Panel members will represent cruise and break bulk, container, and liquid bulk terminals.

Joe Carrillo Regional Vice President
SSA Pacific
10:15 am - 10:35 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

10:35 am - 12:00 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Mt. Benson Ballroom A

1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.

1:45 pm - 2:30 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.

Donna Spalding Government Affairs & Community Relations Advisor
Cruise Lines International Association
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.

Bonnie Gee President
Chamber of Shipping
Jamie Marshall National Sector Lead -- Ports and Marine
Colliers Project Leaders
Mike Jacob President
Pacific Merchant Shipping Association
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Off-site

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. […]

7:00 am - 9:00 am Mt. Benson Ballroom A

9:00 am - 9:40 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

9:40 am - 10:20 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

10:20 am - 10:40 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

10:40 am - 11:20 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

11:20 am - 12:00 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Mt. Benson Ballroom A

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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 […]

Michael Lowry Senior Communications Manager
Western Canada Marine Response Corporation
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.

Paul Evans Oregon House Representative
District 20, Oregon State Legislature
2:00 pm - 2:20 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

2:20 pm - 3:30 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Off-site

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.

7:00 am - 9:00 am Mt. Benson Ballroom A

8:30 am - 9:00 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

The Association of Pacific Ports Annual General Meeting — all are welcome!

9:00 am - 9:40 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.

9:40 am - 10:10 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.

10:10 am - 10:30 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

10:30 am - 11:15 am Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.

Katie Miller Deputy Port Director, Administration
Port of Stockton
Susan Dvonch Managing Partner
Shey-Harding Executive Search
11:15 am - 12:00 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.

Alex Rueben Executive Director
Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI)
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Mt. Benson Ballroom A

1:00 pm - 1:15 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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 […]

1:15 pm - 1:30 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

1:30 pm - 1:45 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

Konrad Mech highlights the features of Cellula Robotics and its use in underwater security and critical infrastructure inspection.

1:45 pm - 2:00 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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.

2:00 pm - 2:15 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

Details to follow…

2:15 pm - 2:30 pm Nanaimo River Rooms A/B

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

Nicole Baker
Owner Net Your Problem LLC
Scott Beatty
CEO MarineLabs Data Systems
Joe Carrillo
Regional Vice President SSA Pacific
Susan Dvonch
Managing Partner Shey-Harding Executive Search
Paul Evans
Oregon House Representative District 20, Oregon State Legislature
Alan K. Goldstein
Principal Law Office of Alan K. Goldstein
Bonnie Gee
President Chamber of Shipping
Mike Jacob
President Pacific Merchant Shipping Association
Michael Lowry
Senior Communications Manager Western Canada Marine Response Corporation
Jamie Marshall
National Sector Lead -- Ports and Marine Colliers Project Leaders
Konrad Mech, CD, P.Eng., PMP, BEng, BA, MBA
Director of Sales Cellula Robotics Ltd.
Katie Miller
Deputy Port Director, Administration Port of Stockton
Alex Rueben
Executive Director Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI)
Donna Spalding
Government Affairs & Community Relations Advisor Cruise Lines International Association

The Venue...

Vancouver Island Conference Centre

Nanaimo, British Columbia Canada

The 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