Port of San Francisco
James R. Herman Cruise Terminal Grand Opening 

James R. Herman Cruise Terminal Grand Opening

The Port held a soft opening for the media on Thursday, September 18, 2014. This event gave local media outlets the opportunity to tour the terminal, take photos on board the Crown Princess – the first ship in port at the new terminal – and conduct interviews with Peter Dailey, Maritime Director, and Kim Von Blohn, Project Engineer.

The grand opening celebration occurred on Thursday, September 25, 2014, and consisted of an hour-long press conference followed by a two-hour private reception and an on-board VIP Dinner for key dignitaries and stakeholders, all incorporating the theme, “Bon Voyage”.

The press conference featured the following speakers: Monique Moyer, Executive Director, Port of San Francisco; Mayor Edwin M. Lee; David Chiu, President, Board of Supervisors; Leslie Katz, President, Port Commission; Wille Adams, Vice President, Port Commission & Treasurer, ILWU; Robert McEllrath, President, ILWU; Mohammed Nuru, Director, Department of Public Works; Kavinder Singh, Vice President & General Manager, Turner Construction Company; Stefano Borzone, President, Metro Cruise Services; and Bruce Krumrine, Vice President, Shore Operations, Princess Cruises. ‘American Idol’ Season 13 contestant Briana Oakley also sang the National Anthem.

 

An estimate of 450 people attended the grand opening, including Port commissioners, key tenants, elected officials, partners and sponsors, honorary committee members, media, and other community leaders.

The Grand Opening celebration of the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal was a wonderful success and key stakeholders, City dignitaries, and guests commented that they had a great time at the event.

Services Provided

  • Secured $69,000 in sponsorships
  • Acquired giveaways from sponsors for gift bags
  • Developed theme and framework of Grand Opening event
  •  Drafted media advisory
  •  Assisted with management of media for soft opening media event 
  • Overall-event management and logistics
  • Coordinated entertainment: circus actors, photo booth, flash mob, singer Briana Oakley
  • Collateral and content development: programs, name badges, invitations
  • Day-of event coordination, staffing and management
  • Coordinated LBE vendor Spice It Up as additional catering service 

Media Coverage

Coverage from the soft opening and of the grand opening event appeared in media outlets including The San Francisco Appeal, Travel Weekly, The Barbary Coast News, SF Gate, SF Examiner, Cruise and Ferry, Seatrade Insider, SocketSiteq and onpublico.

 

(This work was executed as the Senior Communications Manager at D&A Communications)