Gladstein, Neandross & Associates

Long Beach, CA (February 2007): GNA produced event Faster Freight - Cleaner Air 2007 (FFCA 2007), held at the Long Beach Convention Center on February 26-28, 2007, was hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach.  Over 800 attendees from all over the world received the latest information about technologies and programs working to reduce emissions and move freight faster through ports and transportation corridors.  The three-day conference and expo brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss solutions available to address the issues of growth and congestion relating to goods movement and the impact on air quality. The breakout sessions featured industry experts covering five tracks:  Marine, Rail, On-Road/Trucking, Off-Road and Air Freight.

Highlighted speakers at FFCA 2007 included:

• Mayor Bob Foster, City of Long Beach
• S. David Freeman, President, Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners
• James Hankla, President, Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners
• Stephen L. Johnson,, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Senator Alan Lowenthal, California State Senate, 27th District
• Secretary Mary Peters, U.S. Department of Transportation
• Mayor Miguel Pulido, City of Santa Ana and South Coast AQMD Governing Board Member
• Robert Sawyer, Ph.D., Chair, California Air Resources Board
• Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City of Los Angeles
• James R. Young, Chairman, President and CEO, Union Pacific Corporation

One of the most popular general sessions was entitled "Sea Change: Green Leases and Environmental Programs at North American Ports" and featured port directors from four of the nation's largest ports including the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, Port Authority of New York/New Jersey and Port of Seattle (see Post-event Survey Results).

The attendee base included representatives from all sectors of the goods movement industry, including labor unions, government agencies, community groups, transportation planners, technology providers, public health researchers and students.  Due to outreach efforts via the American Association of Port Authorities, FFCA 2007 attracted attendees from several ports, including: Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles, Port of Oakland, Port Freeport, Port of Houston Authority, Port of San Diego, Maryland Port Administration, South Carolina State Port Authority, Vancouver BC Port Authority, Port of Portland, Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Charleston, Port Authority of NY/NJ, Georgia Ports Authority and Detroit Port Authority.  More than 50% of the attendees were from the goods movement industry (ports, trucking, rail, marine, etc.).

The exhibit hall featured 60 booths, a variety of vehicle displays, a lounge for catered receptions and an information booth with resources for attendees.

For more information, please visit FFCA 2007 online at www.ffca2007.com.