Te 2010 Breakbulk Americas Conference and Exhibition held in Houston in October generated nearly $5 million in local revenue, according to a report released by the Port of Houston Authority.
The conference, held Oct 11-15 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, drew more than 4000 shippers, supply-chain managers and industry experts. The conference included a leadership summit of industry executives who reviewed compliance issues and two days of program sessions and keynote speakers addressing industry issues and breaking-out forecasts.
“Breakbulk Americas Conference and Exhibition was a singular success and will return to Houston in 2012,” announced Ricky W. Kunz, Vice President, Origination.
Kunz reported that Houston was the first-time host of this two-day conference that saw record attendance of nearly 4,000 shippers, supply chain providers and industry leaders from around the world. Attendance nearly doubled the highest turnout in the event’s previous 21-year history. Breakbulk Americas 2010 generated more than $4.9 million in direct economic impact on Houston, according to a report from the Port of Houston Authority’s Economic Analysis Division. The analysis considered many factors, including hotel accommodations, transportation, food and beverage services and more during the two-day conference.
These benefits are in addition to the impact of contracts and shipping arrangements put in place as a result of the event, helping continue the leadership of the Port of Houston as the largest Breakbulk port in the U.S. and a leader in steel and project cargo for more than 90 years.
“We are delighted with the record attendance and number of exhibitors set by the conference’s debut in Houston,” said Alli McEntyre, Vice President and Publisher of Breakbulk Magazine and Events. “The Breakbulk Americas event is well-established as a must-attend event for this sector because of the business intelligence and networking opportunities it provides attendees.”
Besides forecasts for capital projects, multipurpose fleets and steel shipping, industry executives discussed important Breakbulk and project cargo issues ranging from trends in the energy market and evolving contract strategies to solutions for U.S. surface transportation project cargo restrictions and the new role of freight forwarders.
On the packed exhibition floor, exhibitors celebrated their latest achievements during the conference. The grand finale of the event was the Port Night Party hosted by the Port of Houston, which drew a crowd of more than 2,500 people at Minute Maid Park.
CSS Group has secured its place at the Breakbulk Americas Transportation Conference & Exhibition to be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA, USA from October 25-27, 2011. Stay Tuned for more details on www.cssgroupsite.com