2017 Women on the Water Conference

1300–1700

Registration/Check-in/Campus & T/S SOM tours. Thank you to all the generous sponsors, identified throughout the agenda, that made this conference possible. Maritime Sponsor: U.S. Maritime Administration. Conference Sponsor: Interlake Steamship Company

1500–1600

Pre-Conference Activity: Women on the Water Club Officers' Meeting (if no official club is at your academy, please send at least two representatives).

1600–1700

Professional Development Workshop - Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) - Ms. Parker Harrison, Chair of Membership, WISTA USA and Vice President of Procurement for Crowley, and Ally Cedeno, Founder of Women Offshore, Chief Mate, Unlimited Tonnage, will discuss two very different opportunities for professional development and expanding your network. This workshop is open to all women attendees.

1700–1800

Networking/Social Hour in Rotary Hall at the Hagerty Center

1800

Seating for Dinner (cadets in Uniform). Dinner sponsored by American Steamship Company

1830

Welcome Address - Great Lakes Maritime Academy Superintendent, RADM Gerard (Jerry) Achenbach. Special video message by The Honorable Debbie Stabenow, United States Senator for Michigan.

1845

Housekeeping: Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Captain Joe McGuiness, Master, T/S State of Michigan

1930

Networking activity - Downtown Traverse City night with a stop to the State Theatre for the 2015 showing of "Blade Runner 2049". Maps are included in the "Welcome bags". Downtown and the State Theatre are just a few short blocks away.

2245

Walk back to the Academy after the movie.

2300

All Cadets staying aboard the T/S State of Michigan report aboard.

0700–0745

Physical Fitness: Lead by MIDN 1/C Layman (meet at the flagpole) or Yoga guided by Cadet Arends (meet in classroom on the T/S SOM)

0800–0900

Breakfast sponsored by Chevron

0830–0900

Welcome, Sponsor Appreciation and Day's Agenda - Judy Druskovich

0915–1015

Session 1: Labor Relations and Union Halls - Demystify the Maritime Unions. Representatives from MEBA, MMP and AMO will speak about their union. Lead by panel moderator, Captain Kirsten Martin. Time will be available for Q&A from the audience. This session is repeated in Session 8.

0915–1015

Session 2: Non-Traditional Shipping Opportunities: What is it like to work aboard a Research Vessel, Ferry, Tug-Barge or as a pilot?. Ms. Lucy Hick - NOAA, Captain Lindsay M. Price - G & H Towing, and Captain Amanda Gibson, Hornblower Niagara Cruises, Captain Deborah Dempsey of the Columbia Bar and Ms. Judi Wager from Lakes Pilots Association will each expand on their experiences and advise those who are interested in one of these industries. Lead by Panel Moderator Mr. Mark Rohn.

0915–1015

Session 3: Lakes Companies: An in depth discussion with industry management related to the state of the industry; the future of the industry; and how you can better prepare yourself to be a part of it. Representatives from Interlake Steamship Company, American Steamship Company, Great Lakes Fleet, Grand River Navigation and more. Time will be set aside for Q&A from the audience. The moderator is Mr. Jim Weakley, President Lake Carriers' Association. This session is repeated in Session 6.

0915–1015

Session 4: Oceans Companies: Sailing the Deep Sea. Learn what it is like to sail on the oceans and work for companies as representatives from ConocoPhillips/Polar Tankers, Chevron and Military Sealift Command preview their industry and take Q&A from the audience. Lead by Panel Moderator Ms. Pamela Palermo. This session is repeated in Session 5.

1015–1030

Break - Rotary Hall in the Hagerty Center. Enjoy refreshments sponsored by Marine Engineers Beneficial Association

1030–1130

Session 5: Oceans Companies: Sailing the Deep Sea. Learn what it is like to sail on the oceans and work for companies as representatives from ConocoPhillips/Polar Tankers, Chevron and Military Sealift Command preview their industry and take Q&A from the audience.

1030–1130

Session 6: Lakes Companies: Sailing on the Great Lakes is fast paced, with frequent ports and short hitches. Get a preview of the various companies and opportunities on the lakes. Representatives from Interlake Steamship Company, American Steamship Company, Great Lakes Fleet, Grand River Navigation and more. Time will be set aside for Q&A from the audience. The moderator is Mr. Jim Weakley, President Lake Carriers' Association.

1030–1130

Session 7: Maritime Academy Graduates - Get the inside scoop from a panel of graduates from the different Maritime Academies on their experience landing a career either at sea, shoreside or both. Lead by Panel Moderator, Dr. Nicole Runyon.

1030–1130

Session 8: Labor Relations and Union Halls - Demystify the Maritime Unions. Representatives from MEBA, MMP and AMO will speak about their unions. Lead by Panel Moderator Captain Kirsten Martin. Time will be available for Q&A from the audience.

1130–1145

Break - Enjoy refreshments sponsored by M.E.B. A. in Rotary Hall, Hagerty Center

1200–1300

Lunch sponsored by ConocoPhillips/Polar Tankers. Speaker Laurie Bink Purpuro, Government Affairs Advisor at K & L Gates LLC, will speak on " The Mariner Shortage: A View from Washington".

1315–1345

Prepare for your Maritime Career - Connie Klusmeyer, Director of Human Resources for ConocoPhillips Polar Tankers, will provide tools and insight into the preparation for landing that first maritime job. Cadets will put these skills into practice immediately as the mock interview session will follow.

1345–1400

Break - Rotary Hall in the Hagerty Center

1400–1630

Session 9: Meet Industry/Mock Interviews - The mock interview session will be much like a speed date game! Interviews will last about eight minutes and at the sound of the bell, Cadets rotate to a new professional/company/representative. Cadets are encouraged to bring their own business cards, but cards will be supplied if they have none.

1400–1630

Session 10: For prospective cadets and their families: Thinking of a career on the water? Meet with the Director of Maritime Admissions, Great Lakes Maritime Academy, to find out how to start the process.

1630–1700

Break - Rotary Hall in the Hagerty Center

1700–1800

Networking and Social Hour in Rotary Hall

1800–2000

Dinner sponsored by Great Lakes Fleet

1845–1915

Presidential Welcome from Northwestern Michigan College President, Mr. Timothy Nelson and special video remarks by Maritime Administrator RADM Mark H "Buz" Buzby, USN, Ret. (TBD)

1930–2000

Keynote - RADM Linda Fagan, USCG Deputy Commandant for Operations, Policy, and Capabilities

2000–2230

Evening Activities - All are invited. Transportation departs for bowling and fun activities at Lucky Jacks.

2300

Cadets staying aboard the T/S State of Michigan report aboard.

0700-0800

Self guided physical fitness on local TART trails.

0800-0900

Breakfast - Thanks to our conference sponsor, Interlake Steamship Company. Dress is casual for the day

0800–0830

Ms. Tina Carter, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Manager (MSC), will speak on "Sexual Assault Awareness, Prevention, Response and Policies."

0830–0900

Closing remarks from Judy Druskovich. Introduction of Dr. Elizabeth True, Maine Maritime Academy WoW Conference 2018.

0900–1130

Networking and Transport on Blue Lakes Charter to Mackinaw City Sponsored by Military Sealift Command. Lunch provided thanks to our conference sponsor - Interlake Steamship Company.

1200

Board Star Line Ferry to Mackinac Island - Sponsored by K & L Gates

1230–1530

Explore beautiful Mackinac Island. Limited to transportation by horse and buggy, bicycle or foot, surrounded by water, it has escaped the vast changes of time. When you step off of the Island Ferry Dock, you will be in a living Victorian village. Please cross streets on straight angles rather than diagonally and be aware of horses, bikes and people stepping off of carriages, enjoy the downtown hustle and bustle of the early 1800s but don't miss the beauty of the Island's interior and peaceful lakefront perimeter path. For more information, visit mackinac.com or mackinacisland.org.

1530

Board the Star Line Ferry to return to Mackinaw City

1600

Network and Transport on Blue Lakes Charter to return to Traverse City

1830

Arrival in Traverse City/Conference concludes

2300

All cadets staying aboard T/S State of Michigan report aboard

Thank you to the "Cadet Support" sponsors that assisted in making this a great event for all the cadets: Grand River Navigation and Women's International Shipping & Trading Association