Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush Delivers Keynote to Close 2016 Gulf Coast Industry Forum

DEER PARK, Texas - July 21, 2016 - PRLog -- Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush will close the show at the seventh annual Gulf Coast Industry Forum (GCIF) on Thursday, August 25 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Bush delivers the closing keynote address at the economic forum which will focus on the gulf coast industry's role within the global economy, launching the theme, "Globalization of the Gulf Coast: Positioning to Reach the World."

The event, formerly known as the Petrochemical Maritime Outlook Conference (PMOC), will shift to a two-day format for the first time. The event begins Wednesday, August 24 at 1:00 p.m. A full-day agenda concludes on Thursday, August 25 with Bush's keynote address at 2 p.m.

Bush, elected as Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office (GLO) in 2014, is expected to address hurricane surge protection and its potential effect on the petrochemical industry and the workforce that supports the Houston Ship Channel. Commissioner Bush understands the importance of Texas industry to the state and to the U.S. economy, as well as to national security. The Texas GLO manages state lands that produce oil and gas that is helping make America energy-independent, engages in conservation of Texas lands and oversees land investments that earn billions of dollars for public education. The Texas GLO also watches over the Alamo and preserves historic archives. Commissioner Bush is the grandson of President George H.W. Bush, son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and nephew of President George W. Bush.

         "It is timely to have Commissioner George P. Bush close the two-day Gulf Coast Industry Forum," said Chad Burke, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. "Since the GLO manages Texas lands that produce oil and natural gas, and accessible, affordable and abundant natural gas is sparking a petrochemical renaissance in Texas, it will be enlightening to get Commissioner Bush's perspective on energy growth in Texas, its impact on globalization and the need to protect these critical assets and workers in the community."

         Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton will deliver the luncheon keynote address on Thursday, providing a Texas and national perspective on the oil and gas industry. The Texas Railroad Commission regulates the exploration, production and transportation of oil and natural gas in Texas.

Thursday's agenda also includes a spotlight on regulations with presentations from Dr. Bryan Shaw, Chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Hector Rivero, president of the Texas Chemical Council. A petrochemical plant managers panel will discuss progress and challenges of plant expansions and impacts on the Texas and U.S. economies.

On Wednesday, August 24, Port of Houston Authority Executive Director Roger Guenther will deliver an opening keynote regarding Port Authority projects and activities. Guenther's keynote will be followed by an energy export panel discussion. Congressman Gene Green (TX-29) and Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) will deliver a Congressional update which will be followed by Wednesday's closing keynote. ExxonMobil Senior Vice President Bruce March will provide a global perspective of the chemical industry and how the Gulf Coast is poised to play a major role over the next decade during his closing keynote address.

The Port Authority of Houston once again is the Gulf Coast Industry Forum presenting sponsor. JV Driver is a platinum sponsor, while Shell, ExxonMobil, Infinity Group, Rail Logix, Lee College, San Jacinto College, Houston Business Journal, and Bay Group Media are gold sponsors. More than 20 companies have already committed to being silver and bronze sponsors. People wanting to attend or sponsor the conference can contact Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, www.allianceportregion.com

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 visitwww.portofhouston.com.

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

About the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region

The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, 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 have 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

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