Waterfronts are one of the most attractive sites in port cities. They include public spaces, passenger terminals, commercial, cultural, sports and recreational facilities. Large gatherings are frequent. Today, health concerns related to the global pandemic continue to dominate the media. However, the management of all types of risks in these areas, which are designed to accommodate a large and diverse public, remains a major concern for local stakeholders. It is impossible to forget the terrorist attacks that have taken place in recent years in port cities such as Nice or Barcelona. Employees, local visitors or tourists, often gathered in large numbers in the same open space, can be ideal targets and it is the responsibility of the managers of these spaces to anticipate the risks and implement appropriate preventive strategies. The safety of citizens and visitors on land and at sea cannot rely solely on technological solutions; the human factor can play a crucial role in this process.
In this webinar, we will discuss with our president and vice president, leaders of the ports of Brussels and Quebec, the security challenges they face on their waterfront. We will also learn from the head of the Genoa waterfront about their new innovative safety system combining employee training and new technologies, and the advice a safety expert can give in these and other cases.
Speakers
MATTHIS Philippe
Directeur, Direction du Développement portuaire
MATTHIS Philippe
Directeur, Direction du Développement portuaire
Born on 2 January 1961, married and father of three, Philippe Matthis is a law and public and international affairs graduate. He was a lawyer from 1987 to 1993, before being named commercial director of the Port of Brussels when the company was created in 1993. He has been deputy director general since 2009. Since June 2010, he also sits on the board of AIVP, the world network of port cities, of which he was elected chairman in 2015.
He is also founder and chairman of an association organizing the transport of humanitarian aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has a passion for biking and has, to this day, organized around twenty raids in Europe and Africa.
CAPPATO Alberto
Direttore Innovazione Sviluppo e Sostenibilità
CAPPATO Alberto
Direttore Innovazione Sviluppo e Sostenibilità
Alberto Cappato is Director of Innovation, Development and Sustainability in Porto Antico of Genoa (Italy). He holds a PhD in Transport Engineering & Economics and a Degree in Economics and Management. He is also Vice-President of the IIC-International Institute of Communications and board member of several organisation connected to urban development and tourism. President of the Tourism Committee of Confindustria from 2013 to 2020, mr Cappato has previously worked as a consultant for a number of international organisations, including the OECD and Plan Bleu. He is an expert in Territorial Planning and Development, regional economics, and transport economics. For several year Professor (contractual) at the University of Genoa. He is currently President and CEO of Progetto Santa Margherita, the company that manages the waterfront of Santa Margherita Ligure together with the prestigious Villa Durazzo.
GIRARD Mario
Président-directeur général
GIRARD Mario
Président-directeur général
A seasoned entrepreneur and manager, Mario Girard has been President and CEO of the Quebec Port Authority (QPA) since January 2011. Mr Girard is renowned for his vision and his ability to successfully build and mobilise teams to carry out large-scale projects. A prolific and creative business developer, he has extensive experience in national and international business development. He was also President and CEO of the Fondation de l’entrepreneurship from 2008 to 2011, where he helped mobilise the business and government communities to improve entrepreneurial performance in Quebec. From 1985 to 2007, he was the founder and CEO of two information technology companies: Nstein Technologies and Gespro Technologies. Mario Girard is a member of the prestigious World Presidents Organization. A Certified Corporate Director (CCD), Mr Girard has served on the structured boards of several organizations for over 20 years. He is past Chairman of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA), Vice-Chairman of the International Association of Cities and Ports ( AIVP) and of the Société de développement économique du Saint-Laurent (SODES), and a member of the boards of the Romeo Dallaire Foundation and the Conseil du patronat du Québec (CPQ).
