- TAMPA, Fla.—Port Tampa Bay, Florida’s largest and most diverse seaport, today capped of a year of partnerships, announcements and economic development for 2016, with its annual State of the Port address at one of its downtown cruise terminals, with about 300 port stakeholders, community leaders, elected officials and other partners in attendance—all of whom play an integral role in the port’s success.

This signature annual event underscores the annual accomplishments of the port, including performance and financial benchmarks, and lays out a vision for the future. Paul Anderson, port president and CEO, headlined the event and welcomed dignitaries from the local business community, as well as some elected officials and former port commissioners and staff.

Of note, the port’s diversity, handling 37.5 million tons of cargo and welcoming 814,000 cruise passengers for its fiscal year 2016, its financially strong position, and plans for business development and facilities expansion were discussed. Port CEO Anderson underscored the port’s $17.2 billion economic contribution annually as well as its support of more than 85,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs for the region. After Anderson’s presentation, Andrew Card, former White House Chief of Staff during the George W. Bush Administration, delivered a thoughtful keynote address.

"Today's State of the Port event highlights many of the activities that are building this world-class port, and that are in alignment with our newly-release master plan, which is the road map to the port’s future. We have the focus, the leadership, the dedicated people and strong, diverse port community necessary to continue to create positive generational impacts well into the future," CEO Anderson said.