THE International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) will hold its 31st International Operating Conference and Trade Show in Houston, Texas, from June 6-8 at the Hilton Americas and George R Brown Convention Center.
During this year's ILTA conference, experts from the terminal industry will share their perspectives, strategies, tools, and tips for increasing operational effectiveness, managing business issues, and improving safety and environmental performance. This year's conference features more than 30 speakers, 25 sessions, and three workshops.
ILTA's trade show 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 280 companies will exhibit this year.
One of the highlights of the annual conference is the presentation of Safety Awards at the Tuesday networking breakfast. ILTA will recognize selected companies for their outstanding safety performance records in 2010. Winners are chosen based on their total reportable incident records as reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and based on their responses to a questionnaire designed by ILTA's Safety Award Program Committee.
Keynote luncheon
Former Blue Angels pilot John Foley will be the keynote speaker on Tuesday, June 7, from 11:30 am-1:15 pm. As the lead solo pilot for the Blue Angels, the US Navy's elite precision exhibition flying team, Foley became an expert on teamwork in intense, high-stakes environments. He knows what it takes to optimize teams for maximum personal and professional success.
Attendees will learn why the Blue Angels are in the top 1/10th of 1/10th of 1% of all pilots - how they get there, how they stay there, and how you and your teams can translate those secrets into your organization by: reaching alignment on critical visions, goals, and objectives; focusing like a Blue Angel; building teams that commit to action and act on commitments; fostering trust and accountability; and developing a culture of gratitude — for each other, for work, for opportunities to excel.
Foley, a top-rated motivational speaker, will use captivating film clips to illustrate his strong message, which applies directly to many of the workplace challenges facing the storage and terminaling industry.
Foley logged thousands of hours in the cockpit of F/18s and other jets when he was an aircraft carrier pilot, a Naval instructor pilot for the Marines and a member of the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron. He has logged thousands more hours traveling the world as a keynote speaker.
He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and a former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels. He holds master's degrees in business management, from the Stanford Graduate School of Business (as a Sloan Fellow); in international policy studies, from Stanford University; and in strategic studies, from the Naval War College. Before launching his speaking career and training businesses, he worked with a venture capital team in California. In addition to delivering 60 to 100 keynote presentations each year, he also runs his own company and a foundation. He is the founder and president of CenterPoint Companies, which provide business performance training to Fortune 500 corporations, professional associations, and educational organizations around the world. And his Glad To Be Here Foundation funds charitable works all across the globe.
Opening session
The opening session of the ILTA conference will feature Bryan Shaw, chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
He will discuss the fight between Texas and the federal government over regulation of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. He will also speak about TCEQ's use of flexible permits for industrial facilities and EPA's long-standing concerns with the program.
Shaw was appointed to the TCEQ in 2007. The Texas Senate confirmed his appointment in 2009, and he was appointed chairman in 2010.
Monday sessions
The first morning of the conference features:
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One-hour breakout sessions: “Understanding the New Integrity Standards for Terminal Piping, API 2611,” Scott Olson, Shell; “The Increasing Challenge of Keeping the Nation's Waterways Navigable,” Michael Fallon, US Army Corps of Engineers; “Partnership: The Key to a Successful Culture Change and Behavioral Safety, Health and Environmental Improvement Process,” David Chalson, Sunoco Logistics Partners, and Michael Topf, Topf Initiatives.
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Three sessions from 11:05 am-12:05 pm: “Tank Design: Optimizing Emission Control Options and Safety Factors,” Mike Doxey, HMT Inc; “A Practical Approach to Managing Contracts with Terminal Suppliers,” Chuck Travelstead, Brown-Minneapolis Tank Co; “The Federal Regulatory Landscape: Agency Actions and Industry Impacts,” Peter Weaver, ILTA, and Jeff McGill, Sunoco Logistics Partners.
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Three sessions from 1:25-2:25 pm: “Avoiding Hydrostatic Testing and Tank Repairs Using Fitness-for-Service Assessments,” Brian Rose, Quest Integrity Group; “Three Employee Relations Issues: Flexible Workweeks, ‘Independent’ Contractors, and the Facebook Hazard,” Barham Lewis, Ogletree Deakins; “EPA Facility Response Plan Inspections: How Prepared is Your Facility?” Donielle Dziedzic, Compliance Management International.
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Three sessions from 2:30-3:30 pm: “Microbial Contamination and the Impact on Tanks,” Ed English, Fuel Quality Services Inc; “Criminal Enforcement of Environmental Rules: A New Level of Business Risk,” Gail Corrigan, Corrigan Consulting, and William Graham, Jackson, Gilmour & Dobbs, PC: “Houston Ship Channel Security: A Unique Collaborative Approach,” Robin Riley, ExxonMobil.
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Three sessions from 3:50-4:50: “Securing Railcars for Transit: What Terminals Need to Do,” William Schoonover, Federal Railroad Administration; “Dealing with Difficult People in the Workplace,” Brad English, Baker Communications; “Rescue Capability and Confined Spaces: Meeting the OSHA Standard,” Michael Roop, MRE Consulting and Training.
Tuesday sessions
The second morning of the conference features:
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One-hour breakout sessions from 9:20-10:20 am: “Three Approaches to Combating Tank Fires: What Terminals Need to Know,” Dwight Williams, Williams Fire and Hazard Control; “Recent Terminal Sales: Key Trends and Valuation Factors,” Gregg Manzione, Nationwide Consulting Company.
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A session from 9:20-11:25 am: “Air Emissions 2011 Update,” Rob Ferry, The TGB Partnership.
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Two sessions from 10:25-11:25 am: “A Comprehensive Approach to Tank Overfill Protection,” Michael Erickson, Antea Group; “Worldwide Petroleum Product Flows, Projections and Looming Uncertainties,” Jim Peters and Ben Holt, Wood Mackenzie.
Post-conference workshops
Tuesday, June 7, from 2-5 pm: “Air Emissions-Loading Operations,” Rob Ferry, The TGB Partnership. This half-day workshop will focus on air issues pertaining directly to loading operations.
Wednesday, June 8, 8 am-5 pm and Thursday, June 9, from 8 am-2 pm: “Advanced Tanks-Air Emissions,” Ferry.
This course provides a detailed look into air emissions issues relating to the design, construction, and inspection of above-ground 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.
