Annual Meeting 2026
September 24 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Ballard Elks Lodge, 6411 Seaview Ave NW, Seattle
Join us for the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound’s Annual Meeting — an opportunity to gather with fellow members and maritime professionals for an engaging afternoon of updates, insight, & looking ahead. We’ll kick off at 11:15 AM with a presentation from our Executive Director on the state of the Marine Exchange, this year’s highlights, and what’s in store for the year ahead.
We will also be welcoming Washington State Senator Derek Stanford who will offer remarks and participate in a private Q&A session with attendees.
Registration Includes
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Entry to the full program (11:00–1:00)
Private Q&A session with Senator Derek Stanford, Vice Chair, Senate Ways & Means Committee
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Networking with maritime professionals from across the industry
-
Boxed lunch (please note any dietary restrictions when you register)
-
Free parking on-site at Ballard Elks Lodge
Join us for the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound’s Annual Meeting — an opportunity to gather with fellow members and maritime professionals for an engaging afternoon of updates, insight, & looking ahead. We’ll kick off at 11:15 AM with a presentation from our Executive Director on the state of the Marine Exchange, this year’s highlights, and what’s in store for the year ahead.
Registration Includes
Entry to the full program (11:00–1:00)
Networking with maritime professionals from across the industry
Boxed lunch (please note any dietary restrictions when you register)
Free parking on-site at Ballard Elks Lodge
Program
Remarks and Private Q&A with Senator Derek Stanford
Senator Stanford has represented Washington’s 1st Legislative District in the State Senate since 2019, where he serves as Vice Chair of the Ways & Means Committee and sits on the Business, Financial Services & Trade and Labor & Commerce committees. Outside the Legislature, he leads software development and analytics projects at Boeing and holds a PhD in Statistics from the University of Washington.
USCG Vessel Traffic Service COOP
An overview of the new Memorandum of Agreement naming the Marine Exchange as backup Continuity of Operations (COOP) location for Vessel Traffic Service, from Captain Michael Hunt, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound.
Marine Exchange of Puget Sound Annual Update
Data, ship count, trends, introduction to our new API and more from Patrick Gallagher, Marine Exchange Executive Director.
PortLink Digital Maritime Information Exchange
A first look at the deployment of PortLink in Puget Sound – a unified digital maritime information exchange platform – across Puget Sound and the Pacific Northwest from Vesa Koivumaa, Wärtsilä Head of Strategic Growth.
Member Legislative Update
An update on maritime issues in Olympia, wins for the year, and more from Trent Matson, Pinnacle Government Affairs, LLC.
Communications & Outreach Update
John Ventjeer Youth Maritime Scholarship winners, the 2027 fundraiser, and the new Pacific Northwest Ports Directory from Sara Zeman, Marine Exchange Communications Director.
Remarks and Private Q&A with Senator Derek Stanford
Senator Stanford has represented Washington’s 1st Legislative District in the State Senate since 2019, where he serves as Vice Chair of the Ways & Means Committee and sits on the Business, Financial Services & Trade and Labor & Commerce committees. Outside the Legislature, he leads software development and analytics projects at Boeing and holds a PhD in Statistics from the University of Washington.
USCG Vessel Traffic Service COOP
An overview of the new Memorandum of Agreement naming the Marine Exchange as backup Continuity of Operations (COOP) location for Vessel Traffic Service, from Captain Michael Hunt, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound.
Marine Exchange of Puget Sound Annual Update
Data, ship count, trends, introduction to our new API and more from Patrick Gallagher, Marine Exchange Executive Director.
PortLink Digital Maritime Information Exchange
A first look at the deployment of PortLink in Puget Sound – a unified digital maritime information exchange platform – across Puget Sound and the Pacific Northwest from Vesa Koivumaa, Wärtsilä Head of Strategic Growth.
Member Legislative Update
An update on maritime issues in Olympia, wins for the year, and more from Trent Matson, Pinnacle Government Affairs, LLC.
Communications & Outreach Update
John Ventjeer Youth Maritime Scholarship winners, the 2027 fundraiser, and the new Pacific Northwest Ports Directory from Sara Zeman, Marine Exchange Communications Director.
