COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
ACTION ITEM

Item No.
Date of Meeting

8c
January 27, 2026

DATE:

January 27, 2026

TO:

Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director

FROM:

Karin Zaugg Black, Manager, International Relations and Protocol
LeeAnne Schirato, Commission Deputy Chief of Staff
Aaron Pritchard, Commission Chief of Staff

SUBJECT: Approval of Commission International Travel - First Quarter 2026
ACTION REQUESTED
Commission approval of international travel requests for known travel in the first quarter of
2026.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Article III(5)(h) of the Commission's Bylaws and Rules of Procedure requires approval of
Commissioner international travel requests by Commission authorization. The authorization shall
include: the number of commissioners traveling (if applicable), the port-related reason for travel,
and the dates and destination of travel. International travel requests shall be submitted to the
Commission Office 21 days in advance of each calendar quarter. Travel change requests for
previously approved international travel shall again be put before the full Commission for review
and action. Commissioners not receiving advanced travel authorization for international travel
shall report to the Commission regarding the purpose of their travel, dates of travel, location of
travel, benefit received by the Port through the travel, and shall seek majority approval of the
post-travel authorization in order to submit claims for travel expense reimbursement. Travel
requests of Commissioners should be equitable to all members and consistent with the interests
of the Port. Domestic travel requests are approved by the Commission President consistent with
the requirements of Article III(5)(h).
The following are known travel requests for approval as of this authorization date:

Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA - Action Item No. 8c
Meeting Date: January 27, 2026

Page 2 of 3

Travel
No. of
Dates
Attendees
January 28- 1
February 7

Reason for
Travel
Seattle
Metro
Chamber of
Commerce
and Greater
Seattle
Partners'
International
Leadership
Mission to
India

Destination

Other Information

Delhi and
Mumbai,
India

March 4-5

13th Annual
World Ocean
Summit &
Expo 2026

Montreal,
Canada

Commissioner Cho will represent the
Port on this International Leadership
Mission of regional leaders from
Snohomish, King, and Pierce counties,
studying the insights and best practices
from Delhi and Mumbai, India, and
building strong connections with one
of the world's fastest-growing
innovation hubs and global markets.
The mission will focus on key sectors
such as Climate Tech, FinTech,
Maritime, and Logistics. With the
recent opening of a Consulate General
of India here in Seattle, there are
increasing business opportunities with
key regional companies to increase
trade ties.
Commissioner Cho will speak at the
13th Annual World Ocean Summit &
Expo 2026, a global gathering of
leaders from business, government,
finance, academia, and civil society to
accelerate progress toward a
sustainable ocean economy.
The summit will focus on critical
issues shaping the future of the
ocean, including marine ecosystem
restoration, blue finance, climate
resilience, and technological
innovation for ocean monitoring and
protection. Discussions will also
emphasize strategies to strengthen
cross-sector partnerships spanning
shipping, fisheries, energy, tourism,
and conservation. Commissioner will
be speaking on a panel titled:
Efficiency through partnership:
rethinking shipping supply chains.

1

Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).

COMMISSION AGENDA - Action Item No. 8c
Meeting Date: January 27, 2026
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
None.

Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).

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