ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA - March 6, 2013. A Kick-Off Event for the 2014 PIANC World Congress was held in San Francisco last month and drew a stellar crowd! The purpose of the event was to bring together local professionals in all aspects of navigation, ports, waterways and the environment from the private sector, government and academia to raise awareness and build support for the 2014 World Congress (which the U.S. Section of PIANC will host in June of 2014, in San Francisco). Congress Co-Chairs, the Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), and Mr. John Headland of Moffatt & Nichol, spoke briefly, introducing PIANC and inviting all those present to get involved in organizing and participating in the 2014 Congress.
Over 60 people attended the fun and informative evening. The event was held on the 39th floor of the Marriott Marquis, the Congress hotel. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers showed tremendous enthusiasm and support, especially with the attendance of Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick, U.S. Army Chief of Engineers and Commanding General; Major General Michael Walsh, Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations (DCG-CEO); and BG Michael Wehr, South Pacific Division Commander. Several local USACE division and district employees were present, as well as local officials from the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Oakland and Port of San Francisco.
On the following day, PIANC Commissioners met to further develop an organizational structure and detailed plans for the 2014 Congress. The overarching theme for the Congress is “Navigating the New Millennium.” Technical program themes and topics will include global navigation Issues of the 21st Century such as: climate change impacts and adaptation; life cycle asset management - coping with aging infrastructure; innovative investment in infrastructure; advances in information and communication technology such as e-navigation; safety, security and risk management in today's world; and turning competitive water uses into integrated multi-purpose water resource systems (transport, energy, recreation, ecosystems). There will also be technical topics under the more specific themes of Ports and Maritime Navigation, Inland Waterway Systems, Environmental Issues, Dredging, and Urban and Recreational Waterfronts.
At the Commissioners' Meeting, Chairs were selected for several key subcommittees:
- Technical Program Committee - Edward Schmeltz, AECOM
- Pre-Conference Workshops/Short Courses - James McCarville, Port of Pittsburgh Commission
- Exhibits and Sponsorships - Robert Engler, Moffatt & Nichol
- Accompanying Persons Program - Mr. Joseph Mantey, PIANC USA Treasurer
- Young Professionals Program - Jessica McIntyre, Moffatt & Nichol
- Local Events - Kelly Barnes and Anne Cann, PIANC USA
If you would like to serve on any of these subcommittees, please contact pianc@usace.army.mil.
The Call for Abstracts will be announced in May 2013. Until then, check out the Congress website for more updates.
The 33rd PIANC World Congress is a “must attend” conference for professionals involved in all aspects of navigation, ports, waterways and the environment, especially engineers, economists, operators, planners and policy-makers from private firms, government agencies and universities in the U.S. and all over the world.
33rd PIANC WORLD CONGRESS
San Francisco, California, USA
June 1 - 5, 2014
http://2014congress.pianc.us