Port and Maritime Security Issues Draw 2500 International Delegates to New York Conference and Exposition

Bethesda, MD, November 25, 2003 - U.S. Maritime Security Conference and Exposition, now considered the world's leading event of its type, attracted more than 2500 participants, representing the highest levels of government and industry from around the world. They gathered in New York recently at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for the Second Annual Exposition – the largest event of its kind – to focus on how to best protect busy ports and the global maritime infrastructure from terrorist attacks.

"This event truly fused homeland security policy with execution and, I believe, enabled everyone involved to better deal with the global challenges of maritime security as one of the key components of U.S. homeland security," said Michael Rosenberg, Vice President, Homeland Security Division, E.J. Krause and Associates, the event organizer.

Delegates heard from such distinguished speakers as Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Designate James Loy, Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security Asa Hutchinson, Canadian Minister of Transport David Collenette, Deputy Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Douglas Browning, and U.S. Coast Guard Director Port Security Rear Admiral Larry Hereth.

"These types of conferences and expositions are absolutely essential to building sound relationships between government and the private sector and I was glad to be a participant," said Under Secretary Hutchinson.

More than 200 exhibitors displayed the latest technologies and methodologies designed to enhance security in ports and onboard vessels of all types as well as cutting-edge equipment, systems, and tools for use by first responders and other front-line elements of the war against terrorism.

"The U.S. Maritime Security Expo was an excellent venue that brought key decision makers from government and industry together to identify issues and explore possible solutions in a public-private partnership," commented Stephen Makrinos, Chief Scientist, CACI International.

According to Thomas Thune Andersen, President and CEO of Maersk, Inc., "Securing cargo flows and seaports is an enormous task, involving private and government entities worldwide. No single government or agency can solve the problem on their own. Every commercial party involved in transportation has a role to play. Only through working partnerships can we refine security procedures and succeed together. Conferences like this one clearly advance the dialogue and the education necessary for continued collaboration."

The U.S. Maritime Security Conference and Exposition was sponsored by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. It was produced in cooperation with The Hudson Institute and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and in association with The Homeland Security Industries Association (HSIA) and Lloyd's Marine Intelligence Unit.

According to Bruce Aitken, President of HSIA, "I attended last year's conference and expo and can honestly say that it was the best homeland security event I attended all year. This year's event – with double the number of exhibitors and participants – is clearly the largest event of its type in the world, and I believe that next year's conference will exceed even the performance of the past two."

With corporate sponsors that included Lockheed Martin Systems Management, The Boeing Company, Unisys Corporation, Northrop Grumman, CACI, BearingPoint, Cisco and Rapiscan, the Conference and Expo also provided an active networking opportunity for public and private sector attendees.

Maritime Security USA 2004 is scheduled for September 14-15, 2004 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, USA. Maritime Security 2004 Europe is planned for November 1-3, 2004 at The World Trade Center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

For complete show information, please visit the show's web site at: http://www.maritimesecurityexpo.com.

Founded in 1984, E.J. Krause & Associates, Inc. (EJK) (http://www.ejkrause.com) is one of the largest privately owned exhibition management companies in the United States. EJK is recognized worldwide as a major organizer of exhibitions and conferences. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC, EJK has 14 offices across four continents. EJK's offices include Mexico City, Beijing, Hong Kong, Dusseldorf, Paris, Tokyo, Rome, Moscow, Seoul, Buenos Aires, Madrid, São Paulo, St. Petersburg and Washington, DC. As a worldwide trade show and conference organizer, EJK produces over 60 events in 16 different industries such as security, telecommunications, IT, paper and forestry, environmental, manufacturing, food and beverage, sports, construction, petroleum and power transmission.

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