This panel will introduce the regional market, the major players and the factors that impact new projects in the region. It will introduce two relevant case studies and address the importance of "branding" island destinations. It will also address product development and sustainability.
SPEAKERS
Ms. Barbara Bryant Regional Director (North America), Pacific Asia Travel Association bio | presentation
Dr. Juanita Liu Interim Dean, School of Travel Industry Management, University of Hawaii bio | presentation
Tourism Development Opportunities in the Territories and Freely AssociatedStates Located as they are in some of the most beautiful spots on the planet, many of these areas are already well-known resort destinations for American and Asian tourists. There is, however, still plenty of room for growth. Opportunities for a variety of large-scale projects abound. This session will highlight some of the many opportunities throughout the insular areas.
SPEAKERS
Mr. Perry Tenorio Managing Director, Marianas Visitors Authority bio | presentation
Mr. D. Jerry Garcia Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority bio
Mr. William Weza General Manager, Marshall Islands Resort; Board Member, Marshall Islands Visitors Authority bio
Mr. W. Nicholas Captain President, The Captain Company, Captain Realty Advisors bio | presentation
Doing Business with the Defense Commissary Agency The Defense Commissary Agency is one of the biggest purchasers/retailers of consumer goods in the U.S., serving locations around the world. The demand for business in the region is likely to jump with the expansion on Guam.
SPEAKERS
Mr. Judge Mays Contracting Officer, Defense Commissary Agency bio
Ms. Janet Lawrence Category Buyer, Defense Commissary Agency
What's New with the Guam Build-up
One of the biggest developments of the last decade in the U.S.-affiliated insular areas has been the decision by the U.S. Marine Corps to transfer large portions of the units stationed in Okinawa to Guam. This move will lead to the largest construction project in the region since the end of the Vietnam War, on a very aggressive timetable. This session will provide background on the planned move and accompanying construction, and other initiatives that are under way to support this effort.
SPEAKERS
Lieutenant General Walllace "Chip" Gregson, USMC (Ret) (Panel Moderator)
WCG & Associates, International; Past Commander, Marine Forces Pacific bio
Major General David Bice, USMC (Ret) Executive Director, Joint Guam Program Office Agency bio
Mr. Gary Kuwabara Western Regional Office Acting Director, Office of Economic Adjustment, U.S. Department of Defense bio | presentation | video
The Guam Build-up on the Ground
Though the scale of the build-up on Guam is exciting, actually pursuing some of the opportunities it creates may be daunting. This session will introduce participants to the programs and organizations in place on Guam that they would be working with should they choose to pursue opportunities connected with the build-up.
SPEAKERS
Mr. Tom Bussanich (Panel Moderator), Director of Budget and Grants Management, U.S. Department of the Interior - Office of Insular Affairs
Ms. Vera Topasna Director, Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center bio | presentation
Mr. Simon Sanchez Chairman, Consolidated Commission on Utilities (CCU) overseeing Guam Power (GPA) and Waterworks Authorities (GWA)
bio | presentation
Other Upcoming Infrastructure Developments in the Islands
The speakers in this panel will describe the many opportunities that do and will exist for heavy infrastructure work in the Pacific insular areas. Each of these areas will be undertaking heavy infrastructure work over the next ten years, both upgrading and replacing their existing power, water, and telecommunications systems, as well as commissioning many other projects. This essential work presents some of the largest and most promising opportunities in all of the islands.
SPEAKERS
Mr. Tom Bussanich Director of Budget and Grants Management, U.S. Department of the Interior - Office of Insular Affairs
Mr. David Zumwalt Executive Director, University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park bio | presentation
Mr. Iupati "Pat" Tervola Chief Procurement Officer, Office of Procurement, American Samoa Government bio
Mr. Ron Simpson Manager, Honolulu Airports District Office, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration bio | presentation
Mr. Robert "Rob" A. Westerfield III Contracting Officer's Representative, FSM Department of Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure
bio | presentation
Financing Options for Large Scale Projects
Finding financing is a challenge for businesses and governments alike, but it also presents an area of opportunity. All four territories and all three freely associated states have a wide variety of large-scale infrastructure projects on the drawing boards. Speakers on this panel will discuss the various tools available and the opportunities they offer.
SPEAKERS
Mr. Tom Bussanich (Panel Moderator) Director of Budget and Grants Management, U.S. Department of the Interior - Office of Insular Affairs
Mr. James Wilson Executive Vice President, Merchant Capital
Ms. Lynn Tabernacki Senior Manager, Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance, U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) bio
Mr. Tim O'Connell Rural Energy Coordinator, U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development bio
Crisis is an Invitation to Innovation: Energy Challenges in the Insular Areas
The insular areas all face the challenges unique to smaller energy markets, and all are aggressively seeking technologies and sources of financing for long-term investments aimed at reducing their consumption of fossil fuels and lowering energy costs overall. This panel will introduce the challenges faced by the insular areas.
SPEAKERS
Mr. Tony Neil Executive Director, Pacific Power Association bio | presentation
Mr. Antonio S. Muna Executive Director, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation bio | presentation
Mr. Mike Keyser Chief Executive Officer, American Samoa Power Authority bio | presentation
Mr. Hugo Hodge Jr. Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority bio
Successful ModelIsland Programs: Examples of What Works in the Islands
There have been a range of renewable energy projects that have already been undertaken across the Pacific and Caribbean. This session will highlight some of these projects and models.
SPEAKERS
Mr. Theodore Peck Hawaii Renewable Energy Director, Strategic Industries Division, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism bio | presentation
Mr. Richard Hawke Manager, Energy and the Environment Group, Energy and Communications Branch, New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development bio | presentation
Mr. Larry Bruton General Manager and Owner, Bruton Enterprises, Appropriate Technology Store, Founding Member, Renewable Energy Association of Micronesia bio | presentation
Financing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects: What Project Developers are Looking For
Approaching the new renewable and efficient technologies can be daunting for both businesses and utilities, but there are successful models for financing the development and spread of these systems. The panelists will discuss their experiences and their successes in this exciting new industr.
SPEAKERS
Ms. Lynn Tabernacki Senior Manager, Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance, U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) bio | presentation
Mr. Tim O'Connell Rural Energy Coordinator, U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development bio | presentation
Into the Future: Proposed Solutions for the Energy Needs of the Islands
Many solutions have been proposed for the unique energy needs of the U.S.-affiliated insular areas. This session will highlight examples of these proposals.
SPEAKERS
Ms. Mary Werner Integrated Deployment Manager, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy bio
The Honorable Robert Underwood President, University of Guam bio | presentation
Dr. James Quick Associate Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies, Southern Methodist University bio | presentation
