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For Immediate Release
October 8, 2004
Oakland, Calif. (October 7, 2004 ) - The Port of Oakland received two awards from the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) for communications best practices last week. The Port was recognized with an Award of Excellence and an Award of Merit at the 38th Annual AAPA Convention. This year’s Communications competition attracted 175 entries from 45 ports representing the alliance of the ports of Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the United States.
“We are delighted and honored to be recognized by the AAPA,” said Harold Jones, the Port’s Director of Communications. “We develop different programs throughout the year to reach out and educate the community about what we do at the Port and how it benefits our local area,” he continued.
The Port received the 2004 Award of Excellence in the Miscellaneous category for its Port Curriculum: Our Link to the World. This program was developed by the Port’s Community Relations Department (Communications Division) in partnership with ANG Newspapers Educational Services. The curriculum was used by teachers working with 4th to 12th grades throughout Oakland and the greater Bay Area where ANG has distribution. More than 10,000 students in 251 classrooms participated in the program.
"I am thrilled that our partnership is being recognized. Connecting students to the issues of the day are what we're all about. Global matters are taking the spotlight and our youth must learn much more than the pages in their textbooks can provide," said Sherri Goldsmith, ANG Educational Partnerships Manager.
The Port also received a 2004 Award of Merit in the video category: Whoosh! Moving it at the Port of Oakland. This video is a product of the Port’s Communications Division and was produced in partnership with the Oakland School of Performing Arts. Port Director of Communications Jones added, “It’s exciting to be able to give our local young people an opportunity to experience working on a project that results in a product that we use to educate the public. Oakland Performing Arts students were closely involved in the writing, acting, and production of the video.” As part of an overall education outreach initiative, schools throughout Oakland and the neighboring communities will receive a copy of the video in DVD format.
About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland Seaport, Oakland International Airport and 19 miles of waterfront. The Oakland Seaport is the fourth busiest container port in the United States; Oakland International Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the nation with more than 13 million passengers annually; and Jack London Square is Oakland’s premier entertainment spot along the waterfront. The Port was established in 1927 and is an autonomous department of the City of Oakland.
Contact:
Harold Jones
Director of Communications
(510) 627-1564
hjones@portoakland.com |
