Terminal Operators' Conference 2005 Americas

Now in its fifth year, TOC Americas will make its New Orleans debut. Organizer Informa Maritime & Transport Plc is pleased to announce that the event will take place at The Hyatt Regency Hotel, New Orleans, from November 29 to December 1, 2005.

It is only fitting that TOC2005 Americas, which provides a regular meeting place for all parties involved in the terminal operations' industry, should be hosted in a city that is of great importance to the entire US shipping industry. New Orleans is situated on the mouth of the Mississippi River and is home to one of the continent's leading ports.

The Port is the only deep water port in the US to be served by six class one railroads offering great transport links to a wide range of destinations right across the US. Annually, the Port of New Orleans sees 6,000 vessels travel up and down the Mississippi River of which 2,000 make calls at the Port itself. The organizer of TOC Americas is pleased to have support from the Port of New Orleans and P&O Ports.

The TOC2005 Americas conference will feature top-tier management and directors from the port, terminal and shipping sectors ready to share their industry expertise and experience. The agenda will focus on the hot topic of congestion and will explore how to optimize existing capacity, not just at the port and terminal level, but across the entire transport chain.

Detailed conference themes are now under development with the assistance of a steering committee made up of senior industry representatives and consultants, including: Charles Baker, Hutchison Westports; Jim Brennan, Norbridge Inc; Keith Diercks, Embarcadero Systems Corp/Marine Terminals Corp; Arno Dimmling, consultant, formerly CSX World Terminals; Gary LaGrange, Port of New Orleans; Peter Keller, NYK Line (NA); and Carlos Urriola, Manzanillo International Container Terminal.

Following its move to South America last year and its biggest attendance to date, the TOC Americas exhibition is now seen as an important platform for participating companies to develop business relationships with other attending companies from the ports, terminals and shipping communities. Exhibitors are recognising the value and benefit of attending TOC Americas. Ricardo Schlechter, Commercial Director, the Port Authority of San Antonio, Chile, expresses his thoughts:

"Participating at TOC Americas is always an attractive experience, not only because it is a fantastic chance for us to express our own knowledge of port planning, but it is also a great opportunity to learn from others. It is the perfect place to establish new contacts with peers from other ports."

Some of the leading manufacturers and service providers of terminal and port equipment to include KCI Konecranes, Gottwald Port Technologies, Cavotec and Navis, have already reserved floor space at the exhibition.

Informa Maritime & Transport Plc is offering delegates and exhibitors the chance to attend a pre-event golf day which will provide participants with an opportunity to network and relax with peers. Attendees to TOC2005 Americas interested in this one-off opportunity should contact Paul Holloway via email: [email protected].

Information concerning TOC2005 Americas can be found on the organiser's website at www.toc-events.com where full details of how to register as a delegate, exhibitor or visitor can also be found. The site is regularly updated with the latest event news and announcements.