Forum Features National and Regional Forecasts for Refining, Chemical, and Maritime Industries

DEER PARK, Texas - Aug. 21, 2015 - PRLog -- A nationally renowned economist, along with national and regional leaders in the refining, chemical, and maritime industries, share forecasts and details of expansion plans impacting the Houston Port Region economy during the sixth annual Gulf Coast Petrochemical and Maritime Outlook Conference (PMOC) on Thursday, August 27 at the Pasadena Convention Center. The economic forum also provides a preview of regional expansion projects and national outlooks from state and national chemical associations, a national fuels association outlook and logistics industry forecasts and challenges of delivering goods for the maritime and petrochemical industries. Additionally, in light of current workforce needs in these industries, experts share job demand forecasts and potential recent advantages gained by “downstream” industries.

Congressman Gene Green (TX-29) and Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) will make opening comments followed by Port of Houston Authority Executive Director, Roger Guenther, who will deliver comments regarding Port Authority projects and activities. Additional keynote presentations will be delivered by Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton and Kinder Morgan Vice President Matthew Tobin, before noted economist Dr. Loren C. Scott delivers the closing keynote.

Also featured during the conference will be panel discussions lead by refining and chemical plant managers, transportation group executives, and executives from Texas Chemical Council, American Chemistry Council and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. Additionally, a panel discussion will feature leaders from the construction and contractor fields outlining how their industry is filling jobs with skilled workers needed to build record infrastructure along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

The Port Authority is the presenting sponsor. LyondellBasell, Lee College, San Jacinto College, and Bay Group Media are gold sponsors. More than 40 companies are silver and bronze sponsors.

About the Port of Houston Authority [Conference Presenting Sponsor]

For more than 100 years, the Port of Houston Authority has owned/operated the public cargo-handling facilities of the Port of Houston – the nation’s largest port in terms of foreign waterborne tonnage. The port has historically been an economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the nation. The port contributes to the creation of more than one million statewide and more than 2.1 million nationwide jobs and the generation of more than $178.5 billion of statewide and $499 billion of nationwide economic activity. For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com.

The Port of Houston Authority logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=720

PORT OF HOUSTON CONTACT: Lisa Ashley, Director, Media Relations
Office: (713) 670-2644;     Cell:  (832) 247-8179     Email: lashley@poha.com

What: 2016 Gulf Coast Petrochemical and Maritime Outlook Conference

Where: Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, TX 77507

When: Thursday, August 27, 2015, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Who:          Featured Speakers

9:05 a.m. - Port of Houston Authority, Executive Director, Roger Guenther;

10:00 a.m. - Texas Railroad Commissioner, Ryan Sitton;

12:00 p.m. - Kinder Morgan Terminals, Vice President, Mathew T. Tobin;

4:15 p.m. -  Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc., President, Dr. Loren C.  Scott;

Congressional Update – 8:20 a.m.

Gene Green, U.S. Representative & Dr. Brian Babin, U.S. Representative

Petrochemical & Refining Panel – 10:45 a.m.

Chevron Phillips Chemicals, Plant Manager, Mitch Krutilek;

BASF, Senior Vice President, Chris Witte;

Dow, Plant Manager, Monty Heins;

Shell Deer Park, General Manager, Barry Klein

Transportation & Logistics Panel – 1:00 p.m.

Katoen Natie, President, Frank Vingerhoets;

Union Pacific , VP Marketing & Sales for Chemicals, Beth Whited;

Kirby Marine Transportation Group, Christian O’Neil;

Executive VP Houston Pilots, Presiding Officer, Mike Morris

Industrial Workforce Panel – 2:15 p.m.

Zachry Industrial, Inc., Sr. Director, External Affairs, Jeffrey Kuhn;

S&B Engineering, Vice President, J.D. Slaughter;

Infinity Construction Services, LP, Executive Account Manager, Roger Blackburn

Regulatory and Policy Update – 3:00 p.m.

Texas Chemical Council, President, Hector Rivero;

American Chemistry Council, VP of State Affairs, Rudy Underwood;

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, VP, Melissa Hockstad

Interview opportunities are available with speakers prior to and following presentations.

Event Contacts:

Michelle Hundley, Economic Alliance, 281.476.9176, x3, Michelle@allianceportregion.com

Dennis Winkler, Winkler Public Relations, 713.259.0195, Dennis@WinklerPR.com

About the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region

The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region (http://www.allianceportregion.com/), a non-profit organization created in 1985, provides professional economic development services for over 200 members, Harris County, the Port of Houston Authority, 11 chambers of commerce, and 17 communities surrounding the Houston Ship Channel - home to one of the world’s most influential energy corridors and trade ports. Since 2008, the Economic Alliance has supported over 40 successful projects that has facilitated business activities creating over 4,400 new jobs and over $5.5 billion of capital investment to the Houston Port Region.  For more information: www.allianceportregion.com