Posted on May 15, 2024
Port Houston, a top five container port in the U.S., will host its 3rd annual Houston International Maritime Conference (HIMC24) on November 6-8, 2024 at Hilton Americas in Downtown Houston. Building on the success of last year’s sold-out event, HIMC24 will address the key challenges and opportunities that are impacting the global maritime industry today and will showcase how Port Houston is investing in growth and preparing for the future.
This year’s three-day event will focus on how the industry is navigating the current supply chain evolution. HIMC24 will present industry experts to discuss challenges, solutions, obstacles and opportunities that are creating change, driving innovation and shaping the future of the supply chain.
“At Port Houston, we are responding to the shifting dynamics by adapting to the needs of the market, by leveraging proven strategies as well as being open to new and fresh approaches—with the goal of combining evolution with revolution,” said Roger Guenther, Port Houston Executive Director. “HIMC24 will showcase Port Houston’s investment strategy for growth as it prepares for a future that is ripe with opportunities for real change.”
HIMC24 will provide a forum for expert-led discussion on topics that are central to the supply chain evolution. Topics range from addressing the Panama Canal crisis, to hearing from ocean carriers on the evolution of alliances, looking closely at the impact of nearshoring, and delving into the challenges of the beneficial cargo owner (BCO) community with insight from Jonathan Gold of National Retail Federation (NRF).
For the second year, Port Houston is developing the conference in collaboration with its HIMC Advisory Committee, which is a team of hand-selected industry leaders who dedicate their time, expertise and insights to help strengthen the program and develop the panel topics. The Advisory Committee includes:
- Will Connell, President, IMC
- Eloy Cortez, South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Representative, ILA
- Shay Downing, Manager, JS&J Storage
- Anthony Fullbrook, President, OEC Group
- John Hark, Regional Director, Bertling Logistics, Inc.
- Shaun Leone, President/CEO, Sunburst Truck Lines, Inc.
- Dave Morgan, President and CEO, Cooper/Ports America
- Giancarlo Morgera, EVP, Export Liner Services, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA
- John Moseley, Chief Commerical Officer, Port Houston
- JJ Plunkett, COO/Port Agent, Houston Pilots Association
“We appreciate the valuable insights from our HIMC Advisory Committee, which is comprised of key stakeholders in the Port Houston maritime community who are not only committed to the success of HIMC, but to the success of the port as a whole. This group of industry leaders understand that Port Houston has been an advocate for open dialogue and a facilitator of change, making us an ideal host for discussions about forward-looking solutions that are shaping the future of our industry,” said Guenther.
HIMC24 will expand its networking opportunities from previous years to enable meaningful connections between attendees. The goal is to not only offer attendees an opportunity to gain insight from panel discussions but to also provide ample time to engage with colleagues, customers, and new connections from a variety of industry sectors, including BCOs, NVOCCs, ocean carriers, freight forwarders, 3PLs and technology providers as well as trucking, equipment and M&R companies.
For more than a century, Port Houston has served as a strategic leader for the Houston Ship Channel and has played an essential part in the region’s global commerce. It owns, manages, and maintains eight public facilities along the 52-mile Houston Ship Channel, including the region’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the country’s most efficient container terminals. In fact, it is investing in capital improvements to its facilities to accommodate future demand, with $1.7 billion in landside infrastructure investments planned over the next five years. In partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Port Houston is also executing the billion-dollar Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11, to widen the channel from 530’ to 700’ and make other improvements.
“As the industry faces shifting market dynamics, we need collaboration amongst all stakeholders to mitigate risk and leverage opportunities. As a leader in the global trade community, Port Houston is properly positioned to host HIMC24, a thought-provoking conference that will provide local, national and global perspectives on issues that will transform the way we do business,” said Guenther.
HIMC24 tickets and sponsorships are on sale now. Early bird pricing of $395 per ticket is available through September 1, 2024.
