U.S. Secretary of Transportation to Give Keynote Address at Tiaca Air Cargo Forum in Atlanta
MIAMI, Florida, September 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –
Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, will give the keynote address to air
cargo industry leaders attending The International Air Cargo Association’s (TIACA) 26th
International Air Cargo Forum & Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia on October 2nd 2012.
The world’s premier air cargo event is expected to attract over 5,000 business leaders
from all aspects of the air cargo supply chain, representing over 100 countries, as well
as some 200 exhibitors. The three-day event at the Georgia World Congress Center, hosted
by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, celebrates its 50th anniversary in
2012.
Michael Steen, Chairman of TIACA, said: “We are extremely delighted that Secretary
LaHood is honoring our event as our keynote speaker. His support reflects the growing
recognition of air cargo’s vital role in world trade and economic development. TIACA is
working actively behind the scenes to increase dialogue between our industry, governments
and regulatory bodies, and U.S. government departments have shown a strong willingness to
work with us, most noticeably with plans by the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) to implement 100% screening of all cargo carried onboard passenger flights to the
United States and the dialogue we have started with U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP). We are confident Secretary LaHood’s commitment to address the air cargo industry
will send a strong signal to other international governments of the importance of building
a closer relationship with the global corporations we represent.”
Air cargo is a US$60 billion industry that transports 35% by value of all goods traded
internationally, worth $5 trillion a year. In Atlanta alone, more than 19,000 direct and
indirect jobs in the Atlanta area are related to air cargo operations.
“The U.S. cargo industry plays a vital role in keeping our economy moving,” said
Secretary LaHood. “We need a strong air cargo sector to make sure international trade
continues to grow and contribute to job creation and prosperity in the United States.”
Secretary LaHood became the 16th Secretary of Transportation on January 23, 2009. In
nominating him, President-elect Obama said: “Few understand our infrastructure challenge
better than the outstanding public servant that I’m asking to lead the Department of
Transportation.”
Secretary LaHood’s primary goals in implementing President Obama’s priorities for
transportation include safety across all modes, restoring economic health and creating
jobs, sustainability – shaping the economy of the coming decades by building new
transportation infrastructure, and assuring that transportation policies focus on people
who use the transportation system and their communities. As Secretary of Transportation,
he leads an agency with more than 55,000 employees and a $70 billion budget that oversees
air, maritime and surface transportation missions.
Before becoming Secretary of Transportation, LaHood served for 14 years in the U.S.
House of Representatives from the 18th District of Illinois (from 1995-2009). During that
time he served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and, after that,
on the House Appropriations Committee. Prior to his election to the House, he served as
Chief of Staff to U.S. Congressman Robert Michel, whom he succeeded in representing the
18th District, and as District Administrative Assistant to Congressman Thomas Railsback.
He also served in the Illinois State Legislature.
TIACA’s 26th International Air Cargo Forum & Exposition will include top speakers from
industry, including Richard H. Anderson, CEO of Delta Air Lines, D. Scott Davis, Chairman
and CEO of UPS, William J. Flynn, President and CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, John
Pattullo, CEO of CEVA Logistics, and Karl Ulrich Garnadt, CEO and Chairman of Lufthansa
Cargo. They will be joined by Raymond Benjamin, Secretary General of the International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Contact: Jamie Roche, +44(0)1344-631-883, jamie@jamierochepr.co.uk
SOURCE The International Air Cargo Association
