2025 Annual Meeting Agenda
Annual Meeting
New Commissioner Seminar
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminar
Marriott Tacoma Downtown
1538 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402
253.294.9200
Tuesday, November 18
CLE Seminar | 1:00 – 5:00 pm
The CLE Seminar is a separate cost from the Annual Meeting. You can register by clicking on the “registration” tab at the top of this page.
CLE Agenda
New Commissioner Seminar | 12:00 – 5:00 pm
The New Commissioner Seminar welcomes newly elected and seasoned commissioners, as well as port staff and executives who are trying to get up to speed on all things Washington ports. This program is offered separately from the Annual Meeting and requires its own registration. To sign up, click the “Registration” tab at the top of this page.
New Commissioner Seminar Agenda
New Commissioner Seminar Reception | 5:30 – 7:00 pm
We warmly welcome spouses to join us for this special evening!
Wednesday, November 19
WPPA Registration Desk is open 7:00 AM – 4:00 Pm
New Commissioner Seminar Continues | 9:00 – 11:30 am
Committee Meetings | 8:30 – 11:45
8:30 – 11:30 am
- Legal
8:30 – 10:00 am
- Trade & Transportation – View agenda here
- Marina – View agenda here
10:15 – 11:45
- Economic Development/Environment – View agenda here
- Aviation – View agenda here
10:15 – 11:15
- Communications – View Agenda Here
Luncheon | 12:00 – 1:30 | Chambers Bay I & II, Marriott, 3rd Floor
The Annual Meeting officially begins with a luncheon at 12:00 pm
Keynote Speaker: Derek Sandison, Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture
Update on Washington’s Agricultural Industry
General Session | 2:00 – 4:00 pm | Convention Center Ballroom CD
2:00 – 3:00 – Communicating Washington’s Maritime History
Jennifer Ott, Editor in Chief, HistoryLink
Alex Gradwohl, Program Director, Maritime Washington National Heritage Area
3:00 – 4:00 – WA Budget Revenue and Tax Update
Emily Makings, WA Research Council
Grant Forsyth, Avista
Associate Member Reception | 4:00 – 6:00 pm | Chambers Bay Pre-Function Area, 3rd floor
Join us for a relaxing and welcoming afternoon of connection and conversation! All attendees and spouses are invited to enjoy delicious appetizers and refreshing beverages while mingling with our Associate Members. Whether you’re looking for expert insights, curious about industry trends, or just want to put faces to names, this is the perfect chance to engage in casual networking.
Here’s who you’ll find at the tables so far, come say hello!
- Enduris
- Moffatt & Nichol
- PND Engineers
- FMSIB (Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board)
- GRI
- Northwest Cement Council
- AKS Engineering
- Ecological Land Services
- Gibbs & Olson
- Reid Middleton
- Facet
- Integra
- NoaNet
- Dalton, Olmsted & Fuglevand (DOF)
- Haley & Aldrich, Inc.
- MacDonald Miller
- Security Solutions
- KPFF
- MAKERS architecture & urban design
- Washington State Department of Agriculture
Evening: Dinner on your own
Thursday, November 20
Rise-N-Shine Walk!
Optional Walk at 6:15 am with your Executive Director, Eric ffitch! Meet in the main hotel lobby.
WPPA Registration Desk is open from 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
Ports Only Breakfast | 8:00 – 9:00 am | Chambers Bay I & II, 3rd floor
This breakfast is for registered Port Commissioners, Executive Directors, Port staff, and life members only
Legislative Report | 9:00 – 10:00 am | Convention Center Ballroom CD
Diahann Howard, Port of Benton Executive Director & Legislative Committee Chair
WPPA Legislative Staff
General Session | 10:15 am – 12:00 pm | Convention Center Ballroom CD
10:15 – 11:05 – Energy: Gas-Electric Coordination Effort
Dan Kirschner, Chief Executive Officer, NWGA
Steve Taylor, Director of Regulatory and Regional Affairs, Cowlitz PUD
11:10 – 12:00 – Rail – Industry Update WSDOT Rail Plan & Other Rail Issues
Jason Beloso, Freight & Rail Planning Program Manager, WSDOT
Ross Lane, Assistant Vice President, Government Relations, Genesee and Wyoming, Inc.
Darkhan Mussanov, Rail Facility Planning Practice Lead, DB E.C.O North America
Luncheon | 12:00 – 1:30 | Chambers Bay I & II, Marriott, 3rd Floor
Keynote Panel: Industrial Symbiosis
Moderated by Carly Michiels, WPPA
Speakers:
Kyle Gitchell, Circular Economy Development Director, Washington State Department of Commerce
More Speakers Invited
Port Reports | 2:00 – 3:30 pm | Convention Center Ballroom CD
- Port of Skagit, Sara Young
- Port of Brownsville, Robyn Dally
- Port of Kingston, Greg Englin
Roundtable Discussions 2.5 | 3:30 – 4:30 | Marriott Hotel, 2nd floor
This year there are 4 topics to choose from. You have an opportunity to pick 2 topics and engage with each of those tables for 30 minutes. We hope you choose to participate!
- Table 1: RCO Boating Program Resources
Nick Norton, Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office
- Table 2: Supply Chain Federation
Sarah Wiltfong, Chief Public Policy and Advocacy Officer, Supply Chain Federation
- Table 3: Connecting With Your Community Through Port Tours
Leslie Barstow, Port of Tacoma
- Table 4: Invited
President’s Reception & Education Foundation Auction | 6:00 – 9:00 pm | Chambers Bay I& II Marriott, Second Floor
Please join us as we celebrate our 2025 Association President, Glen Bachman.
We are also featuring a live and silent auction to benefit the WPPA Education Foundation which gives away two scholarships a year! Please reach out to Mandy Lill if you’d like more information on how to donate or if you’d like to participate.
This will be a great time to network with your peers while supporting a great cause, and enjoying appetizers, dinner, and drinks.
Spouses are encouraged to attend and enjoy the evening festivities!
Friday, November 21
Reminder: Hotel checkout is 11:00 am, please plan accordingly!
Awards Breakfast | 8:00 am | Chambers Bay I& II, Marriott, 3rd Floor
Please join us for breakfast and our Annual Meeting awards ceremony
- WPPA Winter Scholarship
- Outstanding Service to the Industry
- Lifetime Members
- Port of the Year
Board of Trustees Meeting | Immediately Following Breakfast | Chambers Bay Ballroom, Marriott, Second Floor
Meeting Adjourns by 12:00 pm