Smart Rivers 2011 a Resounding Success By Kelly J. Barnes
PIANC USA Deputy Secretary
Ingram Barge Company organized vessel tours one evening of the conference. Craig Philip, CEO of Ingram Barge, was the Smart Rivers Conference Chair. 20
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early 300 of the world’s top professionals in all aspects of inland/river transportation gathered in New Orleans September 13-16 for the Smart Rivers 2011 Conference. Attendees came from more than 20 nations and included private sector, government, and academic participants. The conference included nearly 100 technical presentations on a diverse array of topics related to systems/technology; environmental management; safe operations; service design and innovation; public policy and finance; and infrastructure and network management. The main objective of the conference was to analyze the latest trends in policy, technology, and innovation in the field inland waterway transportation. The opening plenary focused on the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Hurricane Surge Barrier in New Orleans, the largest surge barrier of its kind if the world. Later in the week, conference attendees had the opportunity to view the entire New Orleans Hurricane and Story Risk Reduction System, including the IHNC Surge Barrier, on a technical tour organized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans district. The luncheons featured keynote presentations by Mr. Roland Hoerner, President of the European Federation of Inland Port, who discussed the significant role of inland ports for hinterland 2011 Issue VI