Alaska’s cruise industry is poised for record growth in 2019, with additional ships planned for 2020 and beyond. What role does Seattle play in this growth? What are the infrastructure needs of ports and cruise lines preparing to accommodate not only more passengers, but larger ships?
Join us to hear from the Port of Seattle and Holland America Cruises on this dynamic and growing relationship between Seattle and Alaska.
Speakers:
Charlie Ball
As Executive Vice President of Land Operations and Customer Service for the Holland America Group, Charlie Ball oversees a number of operational departments including; customer service, worldwide cruisetour operations, supply chain, travel services, and community and government relations for Alaska and the Northwest. His responsibilities run across the group, serving Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and P&O Australia. An active member of a number of travel industry associations, Ball is presently Vice Chair of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) and past Chair of The Alaska Travel Industry Association.
Steve Metruck
As executive director of the Port of Seattle, Steve Metruck leads a county-wide special purpose government responsible for providing world-class trade, travel, and logistics services to one of the nation’s most dynamic and fastest growing regions. The Port manages operations for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – one of the nation’s busiest passenger airports – as well as cruise, commercial fishing, grain terminals, recreational marinas, and other real estate activities. The Port also operates one of North America’s largest maritime cargo shipping gateways through the Northwest Seaport Alliance, a joint effort with the Port of Tacoma. Metruck came to the Port of Seattle following a 34-year career with the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring as a Rear Admiral.
Carl Uchytil
Carl Uchytil, P.E. assumed the role as Port Director for the City and Borough of Juneau in 2011 and oversees four municipal harbors serving commercial fishermen, recreational boaters and charter vessels. He is responsible for developing and maintaining infrastructure supporting 1.3 million cruise ship passengers visiting Juneau each year. Carl is President of the Alaska Association of Harbormasters & Port Administrators (AAHPA), Past President of the Alaska Section of American Society of Civil Engineers and serves on the Governor’s Alaska Civilian-Armed Services Team. He was recognized as the 2017 ASCE Juneau Branch Engineer-of-the-Year.
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