Port of Cleveland Honored with AAPA Lighthouse Award for Documentary Made in America
CLEVELAND – October 9, 2025 – The Port of Cleveland has been awarded the Excellence in Print or Digital Media Communications Lighthouse Award by the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) during the organization’s 2025 Annual Convention in Quebec City, Canada.
The Lighthouse Awards recognize innovative programs and projects that advance sustainability, community engagement, infrastructure, safety, and other key areas of port operations.
The Port received the award for its original short documentary, Made in America: How the Port of Cleveland Supports the Region’s Economy, which debuted earlier this year. The film highlights the Port’s critical role in supporting U.S. manufacturing and driving economic growth throughout Northeast Ohio.
Produced in collaboration with Cleveland-Cliffs, Interlake Steamship, vessel line operators, and longshore labor representatives, Made in America follows the movement of raw materials through the Port and their transformation into high-strength steel used in cars, appliances, bridges, and buildings across the country. The documentary also features the Port’s efforts in environmental sustainability and infrastructure modernization, including ore tunnel extensions and eco-conscious logistics.
“We’re honored to be recognized by AAPA with this Lighthouse Award,” said David Gutheil, Interim President & CEO/Chief Commercial Officer of the Port of Cleveland. “This project showcases how our work connects local industry to global markets, while celebrating the partnerships that fuel job creation and economic vitality across Northeast Ohio.”
The Port extended its thanks to AAPA for its leadership in connecting and informing ports across America; to Cleveland-Cliffs and Interlake Steamship for their collaboration and contributions to the region’s industrial strength; and to Shark & Minnow, the creative agency behind the film’s production, for their exceptional work in capturing the Port’s story.
Watch the documentary: CLICK HERE to view Made in America: How the Port of Cleveland Supports the Region’s Economy.
About the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
The American Association of Port Authorities is the unified voice of the seaport industry in the Americas, representing more than 130 public port authorities across the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. For more than a century, AAPA has empowered port authorities and maritime partners to serve global customers and create lasting value for their communities.
About the Port of Cleveland
The Port of Cleveland is a key economic driver for Northeast Ohio and a vital gateway to international markets via the Great Lakes. As the only local government agency solely dedicated to fostering job creation and economic vitality in Cuyahoga County, the Port combines business-minded agility with responsible public stewardship to strengthen the region’s global competitiveness.