Global Industry Leader Provides Concluding Keynote on Day One of the Gulf Coast Industry Forum

DEER PARK, Texas - Aug. 19, 2016 - PRLog -- ExxonMobil Senior Vice President of Global Operations Bruce March will provide the keynote to conclude day one of the two-day Economic Alliance Gulf Coast Industry Forum (GCIF) on Wednesday, August 24 at the Pasadena Convention Center. March, who is scheduled to speak at 3:45 p.m., will discuss the current state and future outlook of the chemical industry on a global scale.

ExxonMobil is one of eight gold sponsors of the Gulf Coast Industry Forum (GCIF), formerly known as the Petrochemical & Maritime Outlook Conference (PMOC). The forum shifts to a two-day format for the first time. The event begins Wednesday, August 24 at 1:00 p.m. with Port of Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther's opening keynote and concludes with an afternoon closing keynote by General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush on Thursday, August 25.

"Bruce March is an outstanding addition to the Gulf Coast Industry Forum. Bruce brings global experience and a valued perspective from an industry leader, ExxonMobil," said Chad Burke, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. "I look forward to ending the first day of the forum by giving the audience a chance to learn from Bruce and gain a greater understanding of the global chemicals industry," added Burke.

Keeping with the chemical theme, opening the day on Thursday at 9:15 a.m. will be a panel of petrochemical plant managers. Robert Armstrong with Kuraray America, Dale Friedrichs with LyondellBasell and Dave King with Ineos will examine and forecast the state of the petrochemical industry. Texas Chemical Council President Hector Rivero will follow the plant managers with an update on industry regulations and policy impacting the chemical industry.

The Port Authority of Houston is serving as presenting sponsor of the Gulf Coast Industry Forum. JV Driver is a platinum sponsor, while ExxonMobil, Shell, Infinity Group, Rail Logix, Lee College, San Jacinto College, Houston Business Journal, and Bay Group Media are gold sponsors. More than 30 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 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

About the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region Region

The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, a non-profit organization createdin 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.

Media Event Contact: Dennis Winkler, Winkler Public Relations, 713.259.0195, Dennis@WinklerPR.com