COMMISSION

AGENDA MEMORANDUM

Item No.

11b

BRIEFING ITEM

Date of Meeting

February 10, 2026

DATE: January 30, 2026

TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director

FROM: Pearse Edwards, Sr. Director, External Relations

Nate Caminos, Director, Government Relations

Sally del Fierro, Director, Community Engagement

Katherine Fountain, Sr. Media Officer

Clare Gallagher, Director, Capital Project Delivery

SUBJECT: 2026 External Relations Workplan

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2026, the External Relations department will drive strategic engagement, communications,

and advocacy to position the Port as a leader in sustainability, innovation, and community

partnership. Our 2026 workplan focuses on supporting Port initiatives and business lines, local,

state, tribal, and federal government relations, communications and marketing, environmental

sustainability, and community engagement opportunities.

The department’s work will help position the Port as an essential economic driver for the region

and a hub for a zero-emission economy, and shared success through strategic engagement,

communications, and partnerships.

Targeted outcomes

• Increased public trust and awareness;

• Broader understanding and support of Port iniaves through strategic community and

stakeholder engagement;

• Heightened policy inﬂuence and advocacy impact;

• Enhanced community and government-to-government relaonships and equity outcomes;

and,

• Posioned as a sustainability and innovaon leader.

COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11b Page 2 of 3

Meeting Date: February 10, 2026

2026 EXTERNAL RELATIONS WORKPLAN

Key Focus Areas

Strategic Initiatives

• Upgrade SEA Airport and SAMP SEPA outreach and engagement.

• Marime Innovaon Center, T91 Berths and Uplands.

• Aviaon and Cruise operaons support.

• Port-City MIC Agreement.

• Shipbuilding advocacy and convening.

• Shape and execute negoaon strategy for Interlocal Agreement with City of SeaTac.

• Advance environmental and sustainability goals: Green Corridor, Shorepower,

Alternave Fuels.

• FIFA World Cup.

Government Relations

• Federal: Secure grants, shipbuilding advocacy, SAF & marime fuel tax credits, TSA/CBP

staﬃng.

• State: Aviaon, environmental jusce, SAF & marime fuels decarbonizaon,

transportaon.

• Local: Industrial lands MOA, Comp Plan, ST3, Tribal MOAs acvaon, Centennial Park re-

opening.

Communications & Marketing

• Build public trust and awareness of the Port, SEA brand, cruise, and the marime-

industrial sector.

• Support major events: FIFA World Cup, America 250, Sustainable Fuels Summit,

shipbuilding.

• Implement language access and plain language policies.

• Connue strong content creaon and storytelling.

Community Engagement

• Countywide engagement: State of the Port, Port U, fesvals, partnerships.

• Aviaon: StART Roundtable, noise studies, career programs.

• Marime: Cruise engagement, industrial base, One Ocean Week.

• Duwamish Valley: Community Beneﬁts Commitment, PCAT, Community Hub.

• Eastside engagement: Sponsorships, Leadership Eastside Adapve Project.

COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. 11b Page 3 of 3

Meeting Date: February 10, 2026

International Engagement

• Focus on subnaonal diplomacy and clean energy partnerships.

• Maintain sister port relaonships (Busan, Kobe, Roerdam, Singapore).

• Key 2026 events: World Ocean Summit, FIFA World Cup, IAPH Conference, UN Climate

COP 31.

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS PRESENTATION -

(1) 2026 Port Activities Calendar (Placemat)

(2) Presentation slides

PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS

Briefing provided annually.