2025 Annual Conference
August 14 – August 15 / Chicago, IL
Host Hotel
Loews Chicago Hotel will host the AGLPA 2025 Annual Conference. This contemporary, 400-room property sits near the junction of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. The hotel is steps from Navy Pier attractions, Michigan Avenue shopping, and is surrounded by iconic architecture.
Conference Overview
On August 14th & 15th, the American Great Lakes Ports Association will host its 2025 Annual Conference in downtown Chicago.
Last year, more than 250 people registered for the conference, including seaport managers, terminal operators, shipping company executives, maritime trade associations, educators, state and federal government officials and the many service providers who help ensure the industry’s success.
Featured Topics
Each year, conference presentations include subject matter experts from government and industry who addressed current port challenges such as:
- infrastructure modernization
- automation and AI
- navigation safety
- shipyard development
- decarbonization
- PFAS and ports
- funding opportunities
- federal regulation
See Who Attended!
2024 Presenters
Adam Tindall-Schlicht
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp.
Presentation
Adam Tindall-Schlicht is the Administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. He will discuss the agency's work to develop trade on the Seaway system and establish the Great Lakes Green Shipping Corridor Network.
Cary Davis
American Association of Port Authorities
Presentation
Cary Davis is President and CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities. Mr. Davis will discuss AAPA's federal advocacy work on behalf of the nation's seaports.
David Cummins
Blue Sky Maritime Coalition
Presentation
David Cummins is President of the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition, a non-profit, strategic alliance formed to accelerate the transition of waterborne transportation in Canada and the United States toward net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Mr. Cummins will discuss the coalition's mission, members and activities.
Jean Fahmy
Canada Steamship Lines
Presentation
Jean Fahmy is Vice President, Digital, for Canada Steamship Lines. Mr. Fahmy will discuss automation in the maritime industry, including the use of data and AI to improve economic and environmental performance.
Jim Athanasiou
St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
Presentation
Jim Athanasiou is the incoming President of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, which overseas Canadian sections of the Seaway. Mr. Athanasiou will discuss efforts to maintain reliable infrastructure and grow commerce on the system.
Bill Paape
Maritime Administration
Presentation
Bill Paape is Associate Administrator for Ports & Waterways at the Maritime Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Mr. Paape will lead an expert panel discussing best practices to successfully apply for Port Infrastructure Development Program grants.
![Tunley Headshots (2)[1]](https://www.greatlakesports.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Tunley-Headshots-21-scaled-e1714872304409-qnowhp0rb8x0ucp095tnjjkdioz02lq0eo15emligo.jpg "Tunley Headshots (2)[1]")
Dr. Robert Moorcroft
Tunley Environmental
Presentation
Dr. Robert Moorcroft is a Carbon Reduction Scientist at Tunley Environmental. Dr. Moorcroft will present the final report on the Port of Detroit Decarbonization and Air Quality Improvement Plan.
Mark Schrupp
Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority
Presentation
Mark Schrupp is Executive Director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority. Mr. Schrupp will present the final report on the Port of Detroit Decarbonization and Air Quality Improvement Plan.
Paul C. LaMarre III
Port of Monroe
Presentation
Paul C. LaMarre is Director of the Port of Monroe and a licensed tug captain on the Great Lakes. Capt. LaMarre will be joined by a panel of expert navigators to discuss keys to navigation safety post-Baltimore.
Fredric Andes
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Presentation
Fredric Andes is a partner in the Chicago and Washington, DC offices of Barnes & Thornburg LLP. Mr. Andes will discuss the evolving regulatory landscape related to PFAS contamination and how ports may be impacted.
Kevin McDaniel
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Presentation
Kevin McDaniels is Deputy District Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Detroit District. Mr. McDaniels will provide a construction progress update on the new $3 billion navigation lock at the Soo.
Jack Meloche
St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
Presentation
Jack Meloche is General Manager, Marine Information Systems, for the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. Mr. Meloche will present the new Voyage Information System developed jointly by the U.S. and Canadian Seaway agencies in partnership with the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center.
Nick Zager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Presentation
Nick Zager is Chief, Operations Division at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Detroit District. Mr. Zager will highlight key navigation projects in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Paul Mazzeno
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Presentation
Paul Mazzeno is Chief, Operations and Regulatory Division at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Chicago District. Mr. Mazzeno will highlight key navigation projects in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.
Adam Hamm
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Presentation
Adam Hamm is Chief of Operations at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Buffalo District. Mr. Hamm will highlight key navigation projects in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Patrick Kelly
Fraser Industries LLC
Presentation
Patrick Kelly is Chief Executive Officer of Fraser Industries LLC, which owns and operates Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wisconsin. Mr. Kelly will highlight Fraser's facilities, services and capabilities and discuss new opportunities for the Great Lakes shipbuilding and ship repair sector.
Additional Speakers
Coming Soon!
Presentation
Additional speakers will be announced here. Be sure to come back and check them out!
Thanks to Our 2024 Event Sponsors!
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
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Coming Soon!
Conference registration opens May, 2025
