AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PORT AUTHORITIES,
FLORIDA-CARIBBEAN CRUISE ASSOCIATION
ANNOUNCE COOPERATIVE EFFORT
The American Association of Port
Authorities (AAPA) and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) today jointly announced
that the two organizations will work cooperatively to best serve the
port and cruise industries.
The agreement was announced at a meeting of leaders of AAPA and FCCA
at the offices of the Tampa Port Authority.
"AAPA is pleased to formalize its close working relationship with
FCCA," said
George T. Williamson, port director and chief executive officer of the
Tampa Port Authority, who serves as chairman of the AAPA Cruise Committee. "We
share many common interests and issues and believe that, through cooperation,
we can further enhance fulfilling the needs of those we serve."
Michele M. Paige, President of FCCA, commented, "One of the FCCA's
mandates is to foster a better understanding of the cruise industry;
therefore, the Memorandum Of Understanding with the AAPA is a meaningful
mechanism to further the FCCA's goals ."
Stephen A. Nielsen, Vice-President, Caribbean & Atlantic Shore Operations,
of Princess Cruises, who serves as chairman of the FCCA Security Operations
Committee, added, "It's long overdue that the AAPA and the FCCA
work more closely in dealing with issues which affect the members of
both associations. We are delighted at this opportunity to strengthen
the relations between our two organizations and to work cooperatively
in addressing the many issues which face us."
Today's agreement expands existing links between the two organizations,
according to Kurt J. Nagle, president of AAPA.
"Many of AAPA's major cruise ports are also members of FCCA," Nagle
noted. "At the same time, leaders of the cruise lines that make
up FCCA's membership have longstanding, favorable working relationships
with AAPA members. Further enhancing the relationship between AAPA and
FCCA benefits both organizations."
AAPA, based in Alexandria, Va., and FCCA, with headquarters in Pembroke
Pines, Florida, will coordinate event schedules to encourage maximum
participation on the part of members of the two organizations and will
explore opportunities
for joint programming, according to Nagle and Paige.
The American Association of Port Authorities was founded in 1912 and
today represents 150 public port authorities in the United States, Canada,
Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, the association represents
300 sustaining and associate members, firms and individuals with an interest
in the seaports of the Western Hemisphere. AAPA port members are public
entities mandated by law to serve public purposes. Port authorities facilitate
waterborne commerce and contribute to local, regional and national economic
growth.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association is a trade association composed
of 13 member cruise lines, which operate almost 100 vessels in Florida,
Caribbean and Mexican waters. It was created in 1972 in order to discuss
and exchange views on issues relating to legislation, tourism development,
ports, safety, security, economic research and other cruise industry
issues.
This release can also be found on AAPA's Web site at www.aapa-ports.org
Lori A. Baer - (703) 706-4714 - lbaer@aapa-ports.org
Michele M. Paige - (954) 441-8881 - mpaige@f-cca.com