IMX 2019 Education Sessions Explore Critical Industry Topics
This year’s Inland Marine Expo will feature a rich lineup of robust education panels and general sessions.
IMX 2019, the sixth annual event, will be held May 20–22 at The Dome @ America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo.
The event will kick off with a “State of the Industry” general session May 21 presented by Ken Eriksen, senior vice president of Informa Economics IEG. Always one of the most popular speakers at IMX, Eriksen will discuss the latest towboat and barge fleet developments, economic indicators and political factors.
The other general session at this year’s IMX will be the May 22 National Maritime Day Recognition and Awards Ceremony. During this busy session, IMX will recognize National Maritime Day with Seamen’s Church Institute’s Rev. David Rider; the annual IMX Awards Ceremony will be held, honoring the winners of the “40 Under 40” and IMX Achievement awards (See WJ, April 22); and the keynote address will be given by Mark Knoy, president and CEO of American Commercial Barge Line.
Both general sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will include continental breakfast.
In addition to the two general sessions, there will be six education sessions during IMX 2019.
“Government Partners: Growth and Reliability of our Inland Waterways” will include discussions of efforts to modernize the nation’s waterways infrastructure and improve intermodal connections. Speakers will include Mike Toohey, president and CEO of Waterways Council Inc.; Chad Dorsey, director, Inland Waterways Gateway-Paducah for the U.S. Maritime Administration; and Ben McCall, deputy director of America’s Central Port. The session will be moderated by Mary Lamie, executive director of St. Louis Regional Freightway.
“Cyber Security: Get Ready!” will include industry experts from a variety of fields and contain valuable information companies can use to update their cyber security planning. Moderated by Marc Hebert of the Jones Walker Law Firm, the panel will include Dean Shoultz, chief technology officer of Marine CFO; Matt Hahne, vice president of USI Insurance Services; and Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Mochen, Office of Port & Facility Compliance for the U.S. Coast Guard.
“EPA Tier 4 Emissions and DEF/Urea Supply Chain” will look at selective catalytic reduction technology and diesel emissions fluid supply readiness for Tier 4 emissions standards. The panel will be moderated by Jerry West, product manager for EMD Progress Rail, with panelists Jason Spear, marine product strategy manager for Caterpillar Marine; David Hirt, director of new product development for the Marine Division of Cummins Inc.; Tony Odak, chief operating officer of John W. Stone Oil Distributor; Trace Laborde, marine manager for Laborde Products; and David Reynolds, vice president of Economy Boat Store.
“Containers on the Inland Waterways” will look at current efforts and strategies to develop container-on-barge and container-on-vessel growth on the inland waterways. Mary Lamie of St. Louis Regional Freightway will also moderate this session, with panelists Ken Eriksen of Informa Economics IEG; Sal Latrico, CEO of American Patriot Container Transport LLC; Scott Sigman, transportation and export infrastructure lead, Illinois Soybean Association; Ben McCall of America’s Central Port; and Richard Teubner, vice president of SEACOR Holdings.
“Safety and Compliance (Sub M and Beyond Q&A)” will be the final education session of IMX 2019. As companies adapt to the new Subchapter M regulations, this panel of experts from industry, the Coast Guard and third-party organizations will be ready to answer questions about the new regulatory regime. Moderated by Capt. David Hammond, president of Inland Marine Service, the panel will include Chris Parsonage, president of the Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau; Robert Keister, vice president of Sabine Surveyors; and Paul Hite, operations coordinator for ABS.
For more information on the Inland Marine Expo or to register, visit www.inlandmarineexpo.com.
