Maritime Day in Olympia, 2015 - A Coordinated Vioce for Maritime Progress January 16 ,2015
Olympia, WA - Washington Maritime Federation’s members will meet in Olympia on Tuesday, January 20 to voice their united vision for the future of the maritime industry. More than 100 industry leaders and stakeholders are expected and will be meeting with over 40 Legislators to present the Federation and advocate for shared maritime interests.
“We are one of the State’s largest industry sectors but we are yet to speak with one voice- until now”, said Steve Sewell, the Washington State Maritime Sector Lead appointed last year by Governor Inslee. “The Washington Maritime Federation gives us an opportunity to successfully do just that,” Sewell said.
According to the 2013 Maritime Economic Impact Study, the maritime sector is one of the key industries of our region accounting for 57,000 direct jobs in Washington State and another 90,000 indirect and induced jobs. “As a key industry supporting living wages, workforce development and trade, it has become clear that the growing maritime industry will have an increased voice in Olympia,” said Joshua Berger, the Federation’s recently hired coordinator.
The Federation’s Maritime Day was initiated as an opportunity for each maritime interest to bring forward issues that effect their sub-‐sector and relate to the larger goal of supporting a diverse, economically sustainable maritime industry. Policy focus areas for Tuesday’s scheduled meetings and hearings include: workforce development, education and training; economic development opportunities, including recapitalizing the fishing fleet and the Marine Tourism Bill; a transportation package that supports maritime corridors, freight and rail; and balanced environmental regulation.
The Governor and State Department of Commerce have incorporated maritime into its sector based approach to economic development and the legislature has formed the Joint Task Force on Economic Resilience of Maritime and Manufacturing. Those attending Maritime Day will have the chance to meet with Task Force members and hear from the Governor. A successful Maritime Day in Olympia initiates a strong message of support for a thriving, resilient and sustainable maritime industry in Washington State.
John Lockwood, Senior Advisor at Vigor Industrial and President of the Seattle Marine Business Coalition shares his enthusiasm for the direction of the Federation, "Report after report proves the importance of the maritime industry for our state's economy and continued job growth with an eye towards resilience. We now have the structure in place to insure that support and coordination continues.”
What:
Maritime Day in Olympia, 2015: Leading Maritime Industry Organizations and Employers Unite to Support Legislative Priorities for the Maritime Industry.
When:
January 20th, 2015
Morning Breakfast Meeting, 8:00am
Committee Hearings and Legislator Meetings, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Luncheon Speakers, 12:00pm
Committee Hearings and Legislator Meetings, 1:00pm–5:00pm
Evening Reception, 5:00pm
Where:
Morning Breakfast Meeting & Luncheon Speakers, General Administration Auditorium
210 11th Ave. SW Olympia WA, 98501
Evening Reception, Olympia Yacht Club
201 Simmons St. NW Olympia WA, 98501
Luncheon Remarks:
Hon. Jay Inslee, Governor, Washington State
Sen. Christine Rolfes (D), Democratic Floor Leader, 23rd District – Washington State
Rep. Gael Tarleton (D), Deputy Majority Floor Leader, 36th District – Washington State
Rep. Norma Smith (R), 10th District – Washington State
About the Washington Maritime Federation
The Washington Maritime Federation is an association of associations, comprised of maritime organizations and business organizations who have come together to support the industry. The maritime industry is diverse with subsectors in shipbuilding, fishing, water transportation, logistics and shipping and more. There are good organizations supporting these subsectors but no overreaching entity supporting the industry as a whole. The Federation also includes general business organizations such as chambers and economic development councils. The goal is to have the general business community support the maritime sector like it does for other important industries in Washington State such as aerospace, information communications technology and the life sciences sectors.