IT'S time for the Big Three Oh. But instead of mourning the loss of extended adolescence, the International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) will celebrate the future that lies ahead during its 30th anniversary at the 2010 Annual International Operating Conference and Trade Show in Houston, Texas, from May 24-26.
The celebration will include a gala reception on Tuesday, May 25, from 6-10 pm on the second level of the George R Brown Convention Center. Attendees will enjoy a variety of food and beverages, listen to great music, and catch up with old friends.
Oh, and prepare to laugh, and perhaps even cry. In the months leading up to the event, ILTA solicited stories and pictures, whether they were from the trade show floor, golf tournament, or other ILTA conference events. A sampling of these funny and sentimental stories — involving friendships that were formed or other special memories — and photos will be shared.
A highlight of the week will be the presentation of Safety Awards at the Tuesday networking breakfast. ILTA will recognize selected companies for their outstanding safety performance records in 2009. Winners are selected based on their total reportable incident records as reported to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration and based on their responses to a questionnaire designed by ILTA's Safety Award Program Committee.
ILTA's trade show in the Convention Center's Exhibit Hall E offers virtually unlimited opportunities to learn about the products and services that terminals need to stay competitive. Attendees can evaluate the vendors and find the best solutions at the best price. More than 240 companies will exhibit this year.
Keynote luncheon
Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.) — the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole when it came under a suicide terrorist attack by al-Qaida in the port of Aden, Yemen — will be the keynote speaker on Tuesday, May 25, from 11:30 am-1:15 pm.
During his command, he and his crew distinguished themselves by saving the American war ship from sinking. Through preparation and leadership, Commander Lippold inspired his crew to act decisively in the ultimate crisis situation when terrorists attacked.
Using the theme, “Leadership and Accountability When It Matters,” he will discuss how the privilege and burden of leadership comes with an accountability that many aspire to emulate and anyone can rise up to and achieve. He will describe the events of the morning that the ship was attacked and detail the steps he took to ensure the safety of his crew.
During his presentation, Lippold will identify the key principles of integrity-based leadership and speak about what leadership skills are the most crucial in a time of crisis. He will also discuss how managers can establish ways to empower their team when facing unexpected challenges.
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The opening session features fire-protection expert David White, publisher of Industrial Fire World, who will discuss major storage-tank explosions and fires that have occurred in the past several years.
He will examine the causes that led to each accident and discuss the emergency response actions taken at each site, along with how current regulatory requirements and best practices in the United States might assist terminals in avoiding similar incidents.
After the opening session, conference attendees can choose among three one-hour breakout sessions that continue the theme of incident response. In the operations track, industrial firefighters will address emergency response issues and what terminals can do to prepare for and defend against a tank fire or explosion. In the business issues track, communications experts will offer practical guidance on how to handle the media in a crisis situation. In the EH&S track, an incident response firm will outline how terminals can address the operational challenges that occur when teams of regulators show up to investigate an incident.
Monday sessions
The first morning of the conference features:
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One-hour breakout sessions from 10-11 am that continue the theme of incident response: “Working With the Emergency Responders,” Chauncey Naylor, Williams Fire and Hazard Control; “Effectively Handling the Media,” Terri Ammerman, The Ammerman Experience; and “Cooperating With the Regulators,” Neill Irvin, O'Brien's Response Management.
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Three sessions from 11:05 am-12:05 pm: “The Buncefield Investigation Recommendations: Applying The Lessons Learned,” Frank Van Bekkum, Enraf; “Oil Market Trends and Their Impact on Terminals,” Andy Lipow, Lipow Oil Associates; and “Air Regulation Trends for Storage Tank Degassing, Cleaning and Refilling,” Blake Soyars, Sage Environmental.
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Three sessions from 1:30-2:30 pm: “Tank Foundations and Bottoms: Perspectives on Engineering Design,” with moderator Alan Watson, AR Watson, and panel participants Wardlaw Witherspoon, IMTT; David Clark, Kinder Morgan; Hector Gonzalez, NuStar; and Alan Geis, Colonial Pipeline; “Environmental Due Diligence: Minimizing Risks and Protecting Your Company from Liability,” Gail Corrigan, Corrigan Consulting, Ragna Henrichs, Porter & Hedges, and Pete Buchler, Orion Marine Group; and “360-Degree Safety Leadership,” Britt Howard, Hess Corporation.
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A session from 2:30-3:30 pm: “Reinforcing Hazard Recognition: A Layered Approach,” David Coble, Coble, Taylor & Jones Safety Associates.
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Three sessions from 3:50-4:50 pm: “Selecting the Optimal Meter for your Terminal Application,” Joshua Rose, FMC Technologies; “Strategic Sourcing: Expand Your Buying Power,” Mike Burgett, NuStar Energy LP, and Bart Richards, The Claro Group; and “Terminal Security Regulation: New Issues, More Uncertainties,” Steve Roberts, Roberts Law Group.
Monday also includes a full-day track of sessions in Spanish. Beginning at 10 am, these presentations will focus on a variety of technical issues. This track will be an ideal opportunity for terminal owners and operators from Latin America to meet, network, and discuss operational challenges.
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Tuesday sessions
The second morning of the conference features:
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One-hour breakout sessions from 9:20-10:20 am: “Marine Terminal Maintenance Best Practices,” John Chapman, Ocean and Coastal Consultants, and Jim Osman, IMTT; and “Retaining Key Employees: Creating A Self-Motivating Work Environment,” Thomas Hudgin, Wilmington Quality Associates.
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A session from 9:20-11:25 am: “Air Emissions 2010 Update,” Rob Ferry, The TGB Partnership.
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Two sessions from 10:25-11:25 am: “SPCC Amendments: Tank Integrity Testing Requirements,” Mark Howard, EPA; and “Effective Leadership in Today's Multi-Generational Workplace,” Thomas Hudgin, Wilmington Quality Associates.
Tuesday, the trade show opens at 1:30 pm and continues through 6 pm. It gets underway again Wednesday at 9 am through 2 pm.
Post-conference workshops
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Tuesday, May 25, from 2-5 pm: “Air Emissions-Loading Operations,” Rob Ferry, The TGB Partnership. This workshop will focus on air issues pertaining directly to loading operations. Companies that are modifying loading racks as required for compliance with the new GD GACT rule will not want to miss this.
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Wednesday, May 26, from 8 am-5 pm, and Thursday, May 27, from 8 am-2 pm: “Advanced Tanks-Air Emissions,” Rob Ferry, The TGB Partnership. This course provides a detailed look into air emissions issues relating to the design, construction, and inspection of aboveground storage tanks. It will address regulatory compliance, emissions calculations, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Time will be provided for workshop attendees to visit the ILTA trade show floor on Wednesday. Breakfast and lunch will be provided both days.
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Wednesday, May 26, 8 am-5 pm: Facility Security Officer Training, Neill Irvin and Ric Walters, O'Brien's Response Management. This workshop is a comprehensive security training course that enables terminal owners and operators to fully comply with the Coast Guard Maritime Security training requirements in 33 CFR 105. The course will provide in-depth instruction on current regulations, security threats, access controls, and countermeasures relevant to maritime facilities. It is an ideal course for newly hired Facility Security Officers (FSO) and is an excellent review of security issues for all facility security personnel. Previously trained FSOs will benefit from attending to reinforce the information provided during prior training as well as learn about current security topics. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
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