T&T hosts Caribbean shipping and logistics interests for major conference

Some of the largest and most influential supply chain stakeholders across this hemisphere, comprising shipping lines, ship's agents, customs and maritime authorities, agencies, ports, and terminals meet in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, next week for one of the Caribbean region's premier shipping conferences.

The Shipping Association of Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) will play host to the Caribbean Shipping Association's (CSA) 46th Annual General Meeting, Conference & Exhibition from October 17-19. The CSA's AGM will be juxtaposed with its international maritime executives' conference and a business exposition to provide exceptional networking opportunities for delegates who hail from not only the Caribbean, but North, Central, and South America, as well as Europe.

The three-day event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Port-of-Spain hotel, where CSA president David Jean Marie will welcome delegates.

As required by its constitution, the CSA will tend to the business of the organisation at its annual general meeting on the first day. Immediately following the opening ceremony, which involves government officials, the CSA's delegates will get down to making key decisions concerning its leadership and operations. A special highlight of the day's activities will be a presentation by the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad & Tobago Ltd.

The second and third days of the T&T conference will focus on presentations by international and regional maritime sector leaders that will allow delegates a chance to hear the most up-to-date information on various industry trends, including developments in Cuban cruise shipping, port and cyber security, port privatisation, technology, and US election campaign issues' potential impact on the Caribbean maritime space. A port tour by sea will follow.

NETWORKING ACTIVITIES

A robust and engaging agenda, including a spouses programme and nightly social activities are the hallmark of any CSA conference, and this year promises to be no different. Time has been set aside throughout the three-day event for networking activities thereby allowing participants to meet to discuss business matters and to initiate contact with potential partners. The participants, comprising CSA members, industry suppliers, and service providers, along with observers, are expected from more than 20 countries in the Americas and Europe.

The 46th Annual General Meeting, Conference and Exhibition will end with the CSA's annual Gala Banquet and Awards. This stellar event will be highlighted by the announcement of the winners of the annual Caribbean Port Awards, including Port of the Year.

The CSA, the voice of the Caribbean shipping industry, is headquartered in Kingston at the offices of the Shipping Association of Jamaica. It was established in 1971 to facilitate development of an efficient, viable Caribbean shipping industry.

To register for the conference, please visit https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1860074, or visit the CSA's website at: http://caribbeanshipping.org/.