ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The benefits and challenges of port concessions, port privatization and strategic alliances are among the critical issues that will be addressed at the American Association of Port Authorities’ 2013 Latin American and Caribbean Executive Management Conference.

This semi-annual, three-day conference typically draws more than 100 port and maritime professionals from all over the Western Hemisphere, especially ports in the Caribbean and Central and South America.

“While port executives throughout the hemisphere are faced with many of the same challenges, such as developing their infrastructure, enhancing their security, dealing with larger ships and growing their trade volumes, this program addresses the timely issues of most relevance to ports in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO.  “This conference will provide Latin American and Caribbean port executives with the information they need to lead and manage their ports in the competitive business environment in which they must operate.”

Among the featured speakers at this year’s conference, hosted by the Port of Progreso, are:

• Rodolfo Sabonge, vice president, market research and analysis, Panamá Canal Authority, Miami, Fla.
• Victor Humaran Castellanos, general manager, Administración Portuaria Integral de Progreso
• Carlos  Urriola, general manager, Manzanillo International Terminal, Colón, Panamá
• Juan Carlos Jairala Reyes, general manager, Autoridad Portuaria de Guayaquil, Ecuador
• Juan Jose Giammattei, executive director, Autoridad Marítima Portuaria de El Salvador, San Salvador
• Juan Kuryla, deputy port director, PortMiami, Miami, Fla.
• Franc J. Pigna, managing director, Aegir LLC Port Property Advisers, Miami Beach, Fla.