| Happy World Maritime Day! I’m in London for the celebrations and for our annual Ambassador’s meeting where we discuss ways in which we can communicate the value proposition of the maritime industry to the public and recruit new participants into our industry. It is a day of celebrating our industry and the work that we do. We are all part of a noble and ancient industry- I frequently say that while we may be the second oldest business, we are the first global industry. This is an industry that has survived through the millennium not only because of its value to global society, but through its ingenuity. It has overcome tremendous losses (think typhoons and wars) and rebuilt. It has incorporated change and growth (think converting from sail to steam and the birth of the container). Many have asked why I took on SHIPPINGInsight? Because never in our history have we been asked to make such profound changes in such a short time- and industry needs every opportunity to learn, exchange ideas, challenge misconceptions, develop partnerships, and identify a strategy to get to the next level. It needs a forum where shipping executives can speak directly to their needs—and solution providers can articulate how they are meeting those needs. It is where new ideas, new applications, and a new vision for moving forward is developed. I took this on because I wanted SHIPPINGInsight to be the best platform for achieving these goals- so that we can have “Better Shipping for a better future”. Plan to be at SHIPPINGInsight—in the room where it happens! Keep optimizing, Carleen | 
