The Connie Award was established by the Containerization & Intermodal Institute in 1972 to recognize individuals that have made extraordinary contributions to the evolution of containerized shipping and intermodalism.

Named for the container, the Connie Award quickly grew in stature as a recognition of achievement and dedication by peers.

The award has gone to an eclectic group — from the heads of railroads and ocean carriers to top government officials, media executives and even to managers within a port authority whose contributions were acknowledged by the industry.

The Connie networking events are a consistent sell-out because of its class reunion atmosphere that makes it a “must” event on everyone’s calendar.

There’s an annual Connie Award event held in December and includes the awarding of scholarships to midshipmen from Kings Point, the SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, Rutgers University and other schools. Both Crowley Maritime and New York Container Terminal present annual scholarships at this event.

In 2009, CII presented the prestigious Connie Awards on the West Coast in Long Beach, CA. Due to the overwhelming success and reception of this dinner, CII has made it an annual event and will begin a Midwest Connie dinner in 2011.

Two successful Connie dinners have already been held in 2011. The September event in California honored Richard Steinke, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, who is retiring this year. In April 2011, CII brought the Connie event to the Midwest and honored two major shippers—Rich Gabrielson of Target and George Schember of Cargill. Plans are already underway for a Chicago Connie in April 2012 and in Long Beach for October 2012.

Please call (800) 231-8244 for more information.