2024 SPRING MEETING AGENDA

We will post a PDF of the agenda here in the coming weeks

Tuesday, May 14

Spring Meeting attendees:

2:30 - 3:30 pm - Mini Golf Tournament - (Little Eagle 18 at Skamania Lodge)
We are having an unofficial miniature golf tournament at Skamania Lodge on the Little Eagle 18 putting course! There is no extra fee but you must register to play and we have limited spots. Teams will be assembled by WPPA staff as we get closer to the event. Side bets allowed and a year’s worth of bragging rights on the line!

More details to come!

4:00 - 5:30 pm - Informal Open House Hosted by the Port of Skamania (Stevenson Waterfront)
Stop by the Stevenson Waterfront to chat with Port of Skamania commissioners and staff, have some light appetizers, and network with your peers. This is located at the park next to the Port of Skamania offices. We look forward to seeing you there!

Wednesday, May 15

Concurrent Training Modules from 8:30 to 11:30 am

These modules run simultaneously from 8:30 to 11:30 am and are an additional registration and cost to the Spring Meeting. You can sign up for them on this registration page.

Concurrent Training Module #A: Real Estate (Stevenson A)

Learn the basics of real estate and the “pitfalls and speed bumps” to avoid. Hear best practices about how to implement a strategic approach to real estate development and managing your property portfolio. Attendees will come away with better understanding of how their port can use real estate to improve their port’s bottom line and create economic activity in their communities.

Randy Mueller, CEO, Port of Ridgefield
Amy Harding, Commissioner, Port of Olympia
Lindsey Senter, Port of Chehalis
Jennifer Wray-Keene, Port of Woodland
Kyra Lise, Director of Real Estate Development, Port of Seattle

Concurrent Training Module #2: Port Powers (Stevenson B)

Ports are provided with a broad range of powers in Washington State. Those powers have evolved to meet specific needs since the 1911 Ports Act. Learn how ports have found new ways to create economic development. This module will also discuss the roles ports have in promoting development of blighted land. Attendees will receive a primer on the limits and how to stay within the “guardrails” of their powers.

Frank Chmelik, CSD
Sara Young, Port of Skagit
Rob Fix, Port of Bellingham
Jim Kuntz, Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority
Chris Herman, WPPA

Spring Meeting program Officially Begins with Luncheon at 12:00 pm

(Cascade Locks Ballroom)

Keynote Speaker: Seth Abelson, Washington Autonomous Vehicle Cluster (WAV-C)

Futureproofing Public Ports: Embracing Technological Advancements

General Session begins at 2:00 pm

(Stevenson A & B)

2:00 - 2:50 pm - Navigating AI: Empowering Port Operations with Clarity & Insight
Laura LeMire, Schwabe
Sue Boyd, Sue Boyd Law

3:10 - 4:00 pm - Energy Supply & Solutions
Rick Dunn, Benton Public Utility District
Shannon Idso, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Associate Member Reception from 4:15 - 6:00 pm

(Cascade Locks Ballroom)

Please join us and enjoy some appetizers while networking with our Associate Members. You can use this opportunity to ask for free advice or just simply get to know our Associate Members.

Evening: Dinner on Your Own

Please plan ahead for dining out and make reservations when available. If you are looking for some inspiration or other things to do while in Skamania, check out this great visitors guide!

Thursday, May 16

Rise-n-Shine Walk! Optional walk at 6:00 am with Your Executive Director, Eric ffitch!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to check out the beautiful scenery around the lodge. Meet in Hotel Lobby at 6:00 am. Waters and juices will be available!

Ports Only Breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 am

(Cascade Locks Ballroom)

This breakfast is for registered Port Commissioners, Executive Directors, and Port staff only

Committee Meetings from 8:30 to 11:45 am

Committee members - everyone is welcome to attend these committee meetings even if you are not registered for the Spring Meeting. If you intend to stay for lunch or any sessions following the committee meeting, you do need to register as a Spring Meeting attendee. Let Mandy know if you have any questions.

Agenda’s will be posted here as soon as we have them

8:30 – 11:30 am Legal - (Jefferson Room)

8:45 – 11:30 am Joint Trade and Transportation & Economic Development Committees - (Stevenson A)

8:45 – 10:15 am Broadband - (Stevenson C)

9:30 – 11:00 am Marina- (Stevenson D)

10:00 – 11:30 am Environmental (joint environmental policy & technical committee meeting) - (Stevenson B)

10:30 – 11:45 am Aviation - (Stevenson C)

Communications Committee members: There is no committee meeting at the Spring Meeting. Please use this time to attend other committee meetings and bring back information on how we can assist those committees. We will meet shortly after the Spring Meeting to discuss what you found (invitation coming soon).

Luncheon at 12:00 pm

(Cascade Locks Ballroom)

Keynote Speakers: Representative J.T. Wilcox, former House Republican Leader And, Representative Frank Chopp, former Speaker of the House

Bipartisan Retrospective on Leadership in Olympia

Compass Awards at about 1:15 pm

general session begins at 1:30

(Cascade Locks Ballroom)

1:30 - 2:30 pm - Report on the 2024 Legislative Session

Mark Wilson, Executive Director, Port of Kalama, and Legislative Committee Chair presiding
Eric ffitch, Executive Director, WPPA
Chris Herman, Deputy Director, WPPA
Carly Michiels, Senior Director of Environmental Policy, WPPA
James Cockburn, Government Relations Manager, WPPA

2:45 - 4:15 pm - Port Reports

Port of Port Angeles
Port of Pasco
Port of Skamania
Eric ffitch will wrap up this session and share information regarding our Round Table format

4:30 - 5:30 pm - Roundtable Discussions
Please take part in our ever evolving Roundtable discussions! Anyone that attends a Roundtable (up to two) will receive a raffle ticket(s) for a drawing to win WPPA logo wear that you get to pick out!

Foreign Trade Zone (Stevenson A)
John Michener, Port of Bellingham
Legal Considerations for Managing Personal & Port Social Media Accounts (Stevenson C)
Frank Chmelik & Tim Schermetzler, Attorney, CSD Attorneys at Law
Industrial Symbiosis (Stevenson B)
Rhys Roth, Center for Sustainable Infrastructure & Randy Hayden, Port of Pasco
Five Great Ways to Share Your Ports History (Stevenson A)
Rod Koon, Retired Port of Tacoma & Life Member
Innovation Clusters and Economic Development (Stevenson B)
Jason Hartmann, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District & Gorge Tech Alliance
Checking in on WPPA’s 2024 Strategic Planning Process (Stevenson D)
Jim Darling, Leeward Strategies & Eric ffitch, WPPA

President’s Reception at 6:00 pm

(Riverview Pavillion)

Please join us as we celebrate our 2024 Association President, JC Baldwin. This is a great time to network with your peers, and bring your appetite! Spouses are invited and encouraged to attend this event.