Home » Home » 1,500 NEW JOBS ANNOUNCED FOR PORT CANAVERAL

1,500 NEW JOBS ANNOUNCED FOR PORT CANAVERAL

By  //  October 16, 2013

GOV. SCOTT ANNOUNCES NEW JOBS DURING American Association of Port Authority's convention

ABOVE VIDEO: Port Canaveral CEO John Walsh talks about the 1,500 new “good paying” jobs that was announced today by Florida Gov. Rick Scott during the American Association of Port Authority’s annual convention.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Today’s American Association of Port Authority’s (AAPA) annual convention guest speaker was Florida Gov. Rick Scott who talked about the importance of investing in the state’s seaports – and announced 1,500 new jobs for Port Canaveral.

Since 2011, we’ve invested over 640 million dollars in our ports,” Scott said. “At our recent cabinet meeting, we approved $150 million dollars in port projects that will go to funding work on port infrastructure. I’m going to recommend to the legislature that Port Canaveral, your host here today, will receive $9.7 million for development of a container yard.”

Scott talked about the importance of investing in ports and port-related infrastructure during a luncheon presentation at the AAPA convention.


ABOVE VIDEO: Gov. Scott speaks with Space Coast Daily about the Panama Canal Expansion & the future of Port Canaveral.

ABOVE VIDEO: Gov. Scott announces plans for $9.7 million in funding toward Port Canaveral Shipping Container Yard Expansion Project.

Gov. Scott is a strong proponent for ports, particularly Florida’s 15 deepwater seaports. In his 2013 State of the State address in March, he emphasized the need for strategic infrastructure investments to grow Florida’s economy, including recommending $288 million in seaport improvements this year.

In June, Gov. Scott signed legislation for two bills that facilitate economic development opportunities by prioritizing Florida’s investment in vital transportation projects, including improvements to the state’s deepwater ports.

PORT CANAVERAL CENTER STAGE

For the first time in its 60-year history, the Canaveral Port Authority is serving as co-host of the AAPA annual convention, which started Sunday and will conclude tomorrow.

John Walsh
John Walsh

For the first time in AAPA’s 102-year history, the business meetings for its international conference was split between two locations – Port Canaveral one of the world’s busiest cruise ports with growing cargo and Orlando one of the busiest American cities for conferences and conventions.

The seaport facilities at Port Canaveral are Orlando’s “gateway to the world” for both cruise passenger visits (more than 4 million per year and growing) and for important cargoes ranging from petroleum, salt and other bulk commodities, to refrigerated freight like juice concentrates and other perishables, to building materials, boats and heavy equipment.

FUTURE OF PUBLIC PORT AUTHORITIES

As part of the convention’s informative business program, a host of presenters from both the private and government sectors are discussing topics ranging from global and economic trade recovery to perspectives on the future of public port authorities.

John Porcari,
John Porcari

Keynoting the program is U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari, as well as Canadian Ambassador to the United States Gary Doer and Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz.

“We’re delighted to have the Canaveral Port Authority host our 102nd AAPA Annual Convention and Expo,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO.

CARGO GATEWAY FOR THE WORLD

“As Florida’s second-busiest cruise passenger port, and the cargo gateway for world-renowned locations such as Orlando and the Space Coast, Port Canaveral —with its new CEO John E. Walsh — has its eye on the future as it expands and diversifies its business model for affordable, efficient transportation for both people and cargo.”

“We boast a maritime history rich in tradition and innovation, providing our region with thriving cruise and cargo operations as well as more recreational access than all of Florida’s other ports combined. We look forward to showcasing Port Canaveral and our region’s unique blend of business and leisure opportunities.”

Kurt Nagle
Kurt Nagle

Nagle noted that, in addition to the topics and keynote speakers mentioned above, convention attendees will hear from a pair of international environmental leaders who will discuss environmental certification programs of interest to ports; a crisis communications specialist who will lead an interactive session on effective strategic communications planning; and the winners of AAPA’s awards competitions for communications, environmental improvement, information technology and facilities engineering, who will discuss their 2013 award-winning projects.

Port Canaveral, which provided $2 billion in economic impact for the central Florida region last year, will host AAPA’s convention and exhibition activities at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Hotel in Orlando.

$2 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT 

In addition to programs in Orlando and Port Canaveral, the agenda included a reception at the Kennedy Space Center, hosted by the Port of Houston Authority, next year’s AAPA Annual Convention host.

Although others who came after like to take credit for the idea of a Disney-Port Canaveral collaboration, it was in 1967 that new Commissioner Malcolm “Mac” McLouth proposed that the authority make a pitch to Central Florida’s brand new Walt Disney World as its “outlet to the sea” for both goods and people. (Disney image)
With nearly 4 million revenue cruise passengers annually traveling through its terminals, Port Canaveral is the second busiest cruise port in the world, with home-ported and port of call ships from the world’s top cruise lines. (Disney image)

“As Orlando’s port, we’re thrilled to host AAPA’s 102nd Annual Convention and Expo in central Florida this year,” said Walsh.

“We boast a maritime history rich in tradition and innovation, providing our region with thriving cruise and cargo operations as well as more recreational access than all of Florida’s other ports combined. We are pleased to showcasing Port Canaveral and our region’s unique blend of business and leisure opportunities.”

The convention will conclude with a members-only annual meeting and election of new officers and directors for the association’s upcoming activity year, including the installation of Tay Yoshitani, CEO of the Port of Seattle, as AAPA’s 2014 chairman of the board.

Additional information about AAPA’s 102nd Annual Convention and Exhibition, including its business program’s agenda, exhibitors and sponsors, is available at AAPA.GetRegistered.net

ABOUT THE PORT CANAVERAL AUTHORITY

With nearly 4 million revenue cruise passengers annually traveling through its terminals, Port Canaveral is the second busiest cruise port in the world, with home-ported and port of call ships from the world’s top cruise lines.

With nearly 4 million revenue cruise passengers annually traveling through its terminals, Port Canaveral is the second busiest cruise port in the world, with home-ported and port of call ships from the world’s top cruise lines. Port Canaveral also is a growing cargo port centrally located to service all of Florida and the Southeastern United States, annually handling million of tons of bulk, break bulk and project cargo.

Along with its parks, marinas, beach, restaurants and other entertainment options, Port Canaveral boasts a new 7-story attraction and generates more than 13,000 jobs for the region with an estimated economic impact of more than $2 billion.

For more information log on to PortCanaveral.com

HISTORY OF PORT CANAVERAL

CLICK HERE FOR PART I: Port Canaveral A Long Awaited Dream
CLICK HERE FOR PART II: McLouth Leads Port Canaveral
CLICK HERE FOR PART III: A Growing Port For a Growth Market