Stamford Set For Shipping 2002

Stamford, Conn, will once again serve as host to a conference and exhibition that arguably attracts the highest concentration of quality attendees of any North American show. Connecticut Maritime Association's Annual Trade Show and Conference — Shipping 2002 — is set for March 18-20, 2002. Shipping 2002 is set to break all of the events former attendance records by a wide margin. The show, which boasts exhibits by major shipping industry companies worldwide, is sold out for this coming March. "There is Posidonia and Norshipping on the international shipping industry exhibition scene, and then for the United States there is the CMA.

People come here to do business. Our Connecticut community is incredibly active in the international shipping and trade business so the world needs little incentive to come here anyway, but the show just puts an exclamation mark on the business that is here to do." relates Don Frost, the president of CMA.

The Association serves as a center for the mind and management of the international shipping industry in North America. Owners and operators, brokers and charterers, financiers and advisors have flocked to the attractive surrounding of the Connecticut shoreline.

Major international trade associations, like INTERTANKO and the International Shipmanagers Association (ISMA) have organized Annual meetings at the show making the event a dynamic thriving bazaar, where new ideas and deals are done.

If it is possible 2002 will be even larger, with new product demonstrations, nations like Panama, Marshall Islands and Liberia sponsoring major events within the show and . But it is the special seminar sessions that distinguish the 2002 show even before it has started. "For more than ten years we have had the priveledge of working with the industry's leaders — the heads of INTERTANKO or the IMO on our program, so it really reflects what the industry is grappling with. It means that the entire event from seminar sessions to the very important networking time are all about doing business," said show administrator Jim Lawrence, president of International Marketing Strategies, the shows long time producer.

When Ships Get too Big for their Ditches - a panel of leaders including Coast Guard Admiral Paul Pluta and Brig General Robert Griffin will be joined by major shipowners in a farreaching and practical discussion of dredging issues.

The Gas Market - A powerful gathering of the leaders in Gas will be in Stamford to discuss this vital commodity post ENRON. Included will be several of the most informed corporate players in the world: British Gas, BP, Golar LNG, Leif Hoegh and others led by Poten and Partners Michael Tusiani.

Sessions will be held on frightening new Legal Liabilities, with speakers like Pierre Olney of LeBoeuf Lamb, and Brian Starer of Haight Gardner; the U.S. Marine Transportation System (MTS), with MTS Chairman Chuck Raymond leading the charge; newly appointed MarAd director Bill Schubert will be there, as will several former MarAd heads and CG Admirals working the crowd.

A mid event charity reception will be held on the Tuesday evening, benefiting the Seamen's Church, and is sponsored by international ship managers V.Ships, and shipowners Ravenscroft and van Ommeren. The event concludes with a Gala dinner and the presentation of the Association's Commodore Award, which will be presented to Frank Tsao, Chairman of the IMC Group of Companies in Hong Kong. For more information contact: Debra Wood at tel: 203 406 0106; fax 203 406 0110; or email at [email protected] or simply visit the CMA website at www.cmaconnect.com