As Director of the Port of Miami, Bill Johnson oversees the top container port in the State of Florida and the 11th largest in the nation. Under his stewardship, the Port of Miami has maintained its leadership position as the busiest cruise port in the world with more than 4.33 million passengers traveling through its terminals last year.
Due to his tremendous contributions in targeting Miami Beach as a number one destination for sun-lovers the world around, Mr. Johnson has been chosen as recipient of the Excellence in Tourism Award for the 89th Annual Dinner Gala. This spectacular event will be hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Saturday, June 4, 2011.
“We are thrilled to bestow this honor on such a well-deserving individual in our community” said immediate Past- Chairman of the Board Aaron Perry. “Bill’s vision and innovative thinking has positioned the Port of Miami as an international industry leader and a critical economic engine to South Florida”.
The Excellence in Tourism Award recognizes individuals or companies whose insight, leadership and nobleness have contributed significantly to the tourism industry in Miami Beach. Bill Johnson embodies the characteristics of this prestigious award by overseeing the progress of the tourism industry in South Florida.
The Port of Miami is one of the biggest generators of tourism with approximately 20 shipping lines that call on more than 100 countries and 250 ports across the world, attracting tourists from Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America.
Director in 2006, Johnson has presided over a period of significant change and investment in port operations and facilities. In concert with the state and federal governments, the Port of Miami has embarked on the largest capital improvement program in its history. These include: construction now underway on tunnel linking the Port of Miami to Florida’s Interstate to improve access to and from port facilities; the re-introduction of freight rail service linking the Port to the Hialeah Rail Yard and the national rail system; and innovative design and engineering to deepen the ports waters to minus 50 feet to accommodate the world’s largest vessels.
The Port of Miami is recognized as one of Florida’s, and the nation’s, leading ports in safety and security. In addition, the Port of Miami was awarded top honors in 2010 by the American Association of Port Authorities as a national leader in technology for its Waterside Surveillance System. And, for the four years of Director Johnson’s term, the Port, the second largest economic engine in Miami-Dade County, has strengthened its financial position to its highest level in 12 years.
The tourism industry in South Florida has flourished with the leadership of Bill Johnson, and the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize him with the Excellence in Tourism Award at the 89th Annual Gala and Silent Auction.
