Schedule of Events

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28TH

EXHIBITOR SETUP AND EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION 12 NOON - 4 PM

• Pre-function Area (outside Grand Ballroom)

VIP SPONSORS RECEPTION 5:00 - 7:00 PM*

• Ship Island Ballroom

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29TH

GRAND BALLROOM DOORS & EXHIBITS OPEN 7:30 AM

• All American breakfast buffet open in pre-function area outside Grand Ballroom

WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS 8:00-8:30AM

• Paul Gavin, Executive Director, Gulf Regional Planning Commission
• MDOT Commissioner Tom King, Southern District

FIRST PANEL DISCUSSION 8:30-9:45AM

• TRANSPORTATION AS A COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DRIVER
• Moderator: Ashley Edwards, Gulf Coast Business Council
• 8:30 - 9:00 / Mayor Mick Cornett, Oklahoma City, OK
• 9:00 - 9:15 / Janel Carothers - CDO, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission
• 9:15 - 9:30 / Mayor Billy Hewes – City of Gulfport, MS
• 9:30 - 9:45 / Panel Discussion, Q&A Interaction and stakeholder input

REMARKS & KEY NOTE ADDRESS 10:15 - 10:45AM

REMARKS BY SENATOR CINDY HYDE-SMITH (R-MS)
REMARKS & INTRODUCTION BY SENATOR ROGER WICKER (R-MS)
U. S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION ELAINE L. CHAO

SECOND PANEL DISCUSSION 11:00AM - 12:15PM

FUTURE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS ON THE COAST
Moderator: Keith Bucklew, HDR, Inc.

• 11:00 - 11:15 / Dr. Clay Walden - MSU CAVS – Automated Vehicles
• 11:15 - 11:30 / Ronald Weinberger –NAVAIR – Defense Logistics
• 11:30 - 11:45 / Dr. Paula Dowell – Freight on the Coast
• 11:45 - 12:00 / Kevin Coggin, CTA – Future Mobility needs
• 12:00 - 12:15 / Panel Discussion, Q&A Interaction and stakeholder input

CASUAL LUNCH & EXHIBITS 12:15 NOON - 1:00PM (Exhibits close at 2PM)

Pre-function area and Grand Ballroom

JOINT LAND USE STATEWIDE FORUM 1:00 - 3:30PM - Ship Island Ballroom

Moderator: Andy Kilgore, Director, MS Defense Diversification Initiative, USM

• 1:00 - 1:05 / INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: CONGRESSMAN STEVEN PALAZZO (R-MS)
• 1:05 - 1:20 / Capt. William Witmire, Naval Construction Battalion Center
• 1:20 - 1:40 / Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, City of Biloxi
• 1:40 - 2:00 / Tasha Golson, Keesler Air Force Base
• 2:00 - 2:20 / Raymond Greer, Stantec, National Perspective
• 2:20 - 2:40 / Matthew Borron, COO, National Association of Defense Communities
• 2:40 - 3:00 / Patrick Scheuermann, Strategic Advisor to Governor for MS Space Initiative
• 3:00 - 3:15 / Panel Discussion, Q&A Interaction and stakeholder input

3:15 - 3:30 - SUMMARY AND CLOSING REMARKS - GRPC

* Must be a sponsor to attend the VIP reception.
No individual tickets sold to VIP reception.