Successful TOC CSC Americas 2011
Figures speak for themselves: the 2011 version of the TOC Container Supply Chain (CSC) Americas Conference was a complete success. More than 500 delegates from the most important companies involved in the container supply chain attended the sessions that were presented between November 15 and 17 in Panama City, marking a historic turn-out record for the TOC conference with over a thousand visitors.
Quality and quantity
It is said that quality and quantity are not necessarily related with one another when it comes to events, but in the case of the 2011 TOC CSC Americas, the high quality speakers had a direct effect on the amount of people present at each of the conferences.
One of the most concurred presentations was the keynote speech delivered by Alberto Alemán Zubieta, CEO Panama Canal Authority, who noted the advances in the Canal's expansion and highlighted the country's importance as a key element in the world commerce chain. "Panama is at the point of turning into the logistics hub of the Americas. With the historical expansion of the hundred-year-old Canal, we are creating a new traffic route that will double its capacity and allow larger scope transit", said Alemán Zubieta.
Another one of the conferences with high attendance was conducted by David T. Matsuda, Administrator, of the US Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD).
Industry tendencies
During the three day conference the presentations were focused on the analysis of economic and market perspectives and transfer ports, along with shipping services strategies to facilitate regional commerce.
The organizing committee thanked the sponsors for allowing this unique opportunity that gathers ship-owners, charterers, port operators, cargo owners and many other participants in the container supply chain, so they may share and learn each other's vision about the intricate logistics process they are all a part of.
Thanks to the wide range of topics by the more than 60 speakers and sponsors and the great in-depth treatment of the issues, the sessions were greeted with enthusiasm among the shipping lines and supply chain experts present.
The participants involved in the container supply chain managed to learn about the latest trends in the industry and got up to speed with an up to date vision of the most recent estimations of maritime transport and port logistics across North, South and Central America.
Added value
Among the additional activities that ran parallel to the presentations was the first time Innovation Forum. There were a total of over a thousand visitors went to the exhibition and attended the seminars, debates and workshops mainly about port operational techniques, from technology to automation, safety and security issues and risk prevention in port operations.
The port tour was another success. The day before the presentations began, on Monday November 14, more than 100 visitors got the chance to see the most important port terminals in Latin America. The tour began on the Pacific coast, with a visit to Panamá Ports Company’s (PPC) Puerto de Balboa, and afterwards, the visitors moved through the Atlantic coast to Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) in Colón.
2012 version
The Panama Canal is the perfect scenario for the TOC CSC Americas conference. That is why the organizing committee has already confirmed that the 2012 version will also be in Panama City, the fourth time the conference will be held there.
So, for those who could not attend this year's conference, you may already begin to program your agendas to be in Panama in November 2012.
By MundoMaritimo
