Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8d
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
June 23, 2026
DATE: June 10, 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 – Third Quarter 2026
ACTION REQUESTED
Commission approval of international travel requests for known travel in the third 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:
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8d Page 2 of 2
Meeting Date: June 23, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Travel
Dates
No. of
Attendees
Reason for
Travel
Destination
Other Information
July 20-24
1
World
Congress of
Ocean 2026
Helsinki,
Finland
Commissioner Felleman will
represent the Port at the World
Congress of Ocean 2026 in Helsinki,
Finland. Commissioner was invited to
present on “Balancing Commerce,
Communities and Climate: The Port
of Seattle Experience,” as well as
having other maritime and
sustainability-related meetings while
in Helsinki. This event provides an
international platform for industry
experts to exchange state-of-the-art
research, share practical experience,
and identify future research needs and
opportunities in the field of ocean-
related studies and industries. WCO-
2026 will cover a broad range of
topics, including Ocean Economy,
Maritime Law, Ocean Engineering,
Ocean Energy, Green Ports, Shipping
and Modern Shipbuilding, Marine
Management and Environmental
Protection, and Ocean Science.
Sept 14-16
1
14th Annual
BIPC
International
Port
Conference:
Busan, South
Korea
Busan,
South Korea
Commissioner Cho was invited to
speak at the 14th Annual BIPC
International Port Conference: Busan,
South Korea, one of the Port of
Seattle’s sister ports. This BIPC
marks the 150th Anniversary of the
Opening of Busan Port, and the 45
th
anniversary of our Seattle-Busan
sister port relationship. Commissioner
will present at the conference, and
participate in additional meetings
while in Busan. The Port of Busan is
one of the Northwest Seaport Alliance
partners in their Green Corridor
collaboration with South Korea.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
None.
