EVENT AGENDA
Thursday, May 21, 2026
The Higgins Hotel, New Orleans
8AM | EVENT CHECK IN & COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST
MORNING GENERAL SESSION
ARCADIA BALLROOM
9AM | WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
HSC Chairman Mario Muñoz, Rio Mar Global
CAPT Callaghan, Sector Commander, USCG Sector New Orleans
Colonel Autin, Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District
Terri Edwards, Area Port Director, U.S. Customs & Border Protection New Orleans Tri-Port
10AM | MERCHANT MARINE CREDENTIALING:
UPDATES & THE FUTURE OF MARINER SERVICES
CAPT Pat Drayer, Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center
10:30AM | VTS ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
CAPT Matt Denning (USCG Ret.), President and CEO, Louisiana Maritime Association
LCDR Chris Booth, Director, Vessel Traffic Service LMR
Captain Michael Bopp, President, Crescent River Port Pilots
11:15AM | MODERNIZING VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES
CAPT Matt Denning (USCG Ret.), President and CEO, Louisiana Maritime Association
CAPT Mathew Fine, Chief, U.S. Coast Guard Office of Shore Forces
Patrick McCuen, Deputy, U.S. Coast Guard Office of Shore Forces
12PM | COMPLIMENTARY LUNCH & NETWORKING
AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS
CASABLANCA
CBP OPERATIONAL UPDATE & INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT FORUM
ARCADIA
1PM
POST-INCIDENT DRUG TESTING: COMPLIANCE, CHALLENGES, & EXPECTATIONS
PORT STATE CONTROL:
TRENDS, DEFICIENCIES, & OPERATIONAL READINESS
1:45PM
MTSA CYBERSECURITY REGULATIONS: PREPARING FOR THE NEXT COMPLIANT ENVIRONMENT
AFTERNOON GENERAL SESSION
ARCADIA BALLROOM
2:30PM | PREPARING FOR THE 2026 HURRICANE SEASON: COORDINATION, RESPONSE, & RECOVERY
CAPT Callaghan, Sector Commander, USCG Sector New Orleans
Colonel Autin, Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District
3PM | ALTERNATIVE FUELS IN THE AOR: READINESS, RISK, & MARITIME OPERATIONS
CDR Dan Velez, Chief of Prevention, USCG Sector New Orleans
Anthony Odak, Marine & Energy Consultants, LLC
CLOSING REMARKS
THANK YOU TO OUR
2026 SPONSORS!
PLATINUM SPONSORS
LEGACY SPONSOR
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GOLD SPONSORS
LEGACY SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSORS
