Containerization & Intermodal Institute

What Containerization & Intermodal Institute does

The Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) is a U.S.-based non-profit industry association founded in 1960 (originally as the Bulk Packaging & Container Institute) by major container leasing companies to promote and support international trade and the intermodal container transportation industry. Headquartered in Middletown, New Jersey, with 11-50 employees and a governing Board of Directors composed of senior executives from across the global shipping, port, and logistics sectors, CII operates a portfolio of mission-driven programs anchored by the Connie Awards (presented annually since 1972 at Long Beach in September and the New York/Newark area in December), a Scholarship Program that has awarded nearly $1 million to logistics students since 1992, a Workforce Development Internship Program, and an Academic Advisory Committee connecting eight partner universities with industry.

Name

Containerization & Intermodal Institute

Legal name

Containerization & Intermodal Institute

Website

https://containerization.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association & Awards

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Certification Expos Organizers (THAHABAD)

Keywords

• Intermodal transportation association
• Maritime trade industry awards
• Logistics scholarship programs
• Container shipping networking
• Supply chain workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Cranford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Revenue: CII generates revenue through ticket sales and table purchases for the annual Connie Awards events held in Long Beach (September) and Newark (December). Individual tickets are priced at $325 and tables of ten at $3,250.
2. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsorships at multiple levels (Patron $650 to Platinum $13,000) provide revenue and include benefits such as company logo placement, full-page ads, branded visuals, and scholarship naming rights. Sponsors also fund specific scholarship recipients.
3. Scholarship Donations: Companies and individuals donate to CII's scholarship program with a minimum donation of $1,000. Donations are awarded to deserving students in the industry's name. Since 1992, nearly $1 million has been awarded through the program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CII is a non-profit industry trade association that hosts annual Connie Awards gala events in Long Beach, CA (September) and the New York/Newark area (December), and operates a Scholarship Program that has awarded nearly $1 million to logistics and transportation students since 1992. The organization also runs a Workforce Development Internship Program and an Academic Advisory Committee that connects universities with industry to align curriculum and talent pipelines. Revenue is generated through individual event tickets ($325), tables of ten ($3,250), and corporate sponsorship packages ranging from Patron ($650) to Platinum ($13,000), with event proceeds funding scholarships.

Product overview

The Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) operates as a non-profit industry association offering a portfolio of programs focused on industry recognition, education, and workforce development. The core offerings include the Connie Awards Program (prestigious annual awards since 1972), the Scholarship Program (supporting logistics students since 1992 with nearly $1M awarded), the Workforce Development Internship Program, and Academic Advisory Resources. CII also manages specialized scholarship funds including the COVID-19 Scholarship Fund and Anthony Marino Scholarship Fund. The organization does not offer technology products, APIs, or AI-powered solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Connie Awards Program Annual recognition program honoring people, companies, associations, and other entities that have made significant contributions to containerization and intermodal transportation modes. Awarded at gala events in Long Beach, CA (September) and the New York/Newark area (December), with over 70 honorees since 1972 including Malcolm McLean. Designed for senior industry executives, companies, and associations in the container shipping, port, terminal, and logistics sectors.
• Scholarship Program Scholarship fund awarding financial support to college, university, and high school students pursuing careers in international trade, supply chain, logistics, and transportation. Under CII's auspices since 1992, with nearly $1 million awarded to date. Funded by corporate and individual donations with a $1,000 minimum, and presented at Connie Awards events. For students at partner schools pursuing logistics, supply chain, maritime, or international trade studies.
• Workforce Development Internship Program Internship matching program designed for students interested in working in supply chain industries, connecting applicants with companies offering hands-on internships across various aspects of containerization and intermodal logistics. For college and university students pursuing supply chain and logistics careers.
• COVID-19 Scholarship Fund A dedicated scholarship fund established to help students who represent the future of the intermodal industry meet their financial needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a minimum contribution of $1,000. For students in logistics, supply chain, and intermodal transportation programs.
• Anthony Marino Scholarship Fund Named scholarship fund established in 2021 in conjunction with The Marino Group to honor Anthony Marino, supporting deserving students pursuing careers in the transportation and logistics industry. For students in transportation and logistics programs at partner schools.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1 million awarded in scholarships since 1992
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SUNY Maritime CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academic institution represented on CII's Academic Advisory Committee. Dr. Michael Alfultis (former President) and Chris Petrocelli serve on the committee, helping align academic programs with industry needs.
• Rutgers University Supply Chain Management ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academic institution represented on CII's Academic Advisory Committee through Professor Warren Cohen. Rutgers students are regular recipients of CII scholarships.
• California State University Long Beach (CSULB) - Center for International Trade and TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Major academic partner offering Global Logistics Specialist (GLS) and Marine Terminal Operations Professional (MTOP) programs. Director Angeli Logan serves on CII's Academic Advisory Committee. Many CII scholarship recipients have come from CSULB programs.
• US Merchant Marine Academy, Kings PointcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Federal maritime academy represented on CII's Academic Advisory Committee through Dr. Amit J. Mokashi. Academy graduates are frequent CII scholarship recipients.
• Bryant UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019University represented on CII's Academic Advisory Committee through Professor Michael J. Gravier, who teaches Marketing and Global Supply Chain Management.
• University of TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019University represented on CII's Academic Advisory Committee through Dr. Donald 'Don' Maier, Associate Professor of Practice in Supply Chain Logistics.
• Mississippi State University School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019University represented on CII's Academic Advisory Committee through Dean Scott Grawe, who leads the School of Business supply chain management program.
• University of Wisconsin SuperiorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019University represented on CII's Academic Advisory Committee through Dr. Richard Dow Stewart, who directs the Transportation and Logistics Research Center.
• APM TerminalscoreOthers · 1 January 1960Major industry partner and sponsor of CII events and scholarship programs. APM Terminals supports CII's mission to promote and support international trade and intermodal container transportation through event sponsorships and scholarship funding.
• MaerskcoreOthers · 1 January 1960Global container logistics company and CII sponsor. Maersk contributes to CII's scholarship program and supports industry education initiatives through event sponsorships.
• Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)coreOthers · 1 January 1960Largest container shipping line since 2021 and active CII supporter. MSC participated in CII's Workforce Development Internship Program, hosting students for hands-on experience in operations departments.
• Port of Long BeachcoreOthers · 1 January 1960Major U.S. port and CII event partner. Port of Long Beach co-hosts the annual Long Beach Connie Awards event and supports scholarship programs for students pursuing careers in logistics.
• Port of Los AngelescoreOthers · 1 January 1960Major U.S. port and CII sponsor. Supports CII's education mission and industry initiatives through partnership and scholarship funding.
• Yusen TerminalscoreOthers · 1 January 1960Marine terminal operator and CII Platinum sponsor. Yusen Terminals CEO Alan McCorkle is the 2026 Connie Award recipient, demonstrating deep partnership and commitment to CII's mission.
• Georgia Ports AuthoritycoreOthers · 1 January 1960Major U.S. port authority and CII sponsor. GPA team members have received Lifetime Achievement Awards and contribute to CII's industry leadership recognition programs.
• Port HoustoncoreOthers · 1 January 1960One of the top five container ports in the U.S. and CII sponsor. Port Houston's Roger Guenther received the 2024 Connie Award. John Moseley serves as CII Treasurer.
• MatsoncoreOthers · 1 January 1960Ocean carrier and logistics provider and CII sponsor. Matson's Jahan Byrne serves on the CII Board of Directors.
• Crowley MaritimecoreOthers · 1 January 1960Maritime and logistics company and long-time CII supporter. Crowley has been a sponsor of CII events and scholarship programs for decades.
• SeaCube ContainerscoreOthers · 1 January 1960Intermodal equipment leasing company and CII supporter. SeaCube CEO Robert F. Sappio received the 2023 Connie Award.
• The Journal of Commerce (JOC)coreOthers · 1 January 1960Industry media partner and sponsor. JOC's Chris Brooks serves as CII President and JOC events programs are closely aligned with CII's activities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Chamber of Shipping (ICS): ICS is the principal international trade association for the global shipping industry, representing approximately 80% of world tonnage. It is broadly comparable to CII as a shipping-industry association focused on policy, standards, and member services, but it operates internationally and at a larger mandate/scope than CII's U.S.-centric model.
• National Retail Federation (NRF): NRF is a large, established trade association that organizes major industry events, awards, and educational programs for its members. It is a useful benchmark for CII in terms of the scale, structure, and revenue model (events, sponsorships, membership) achievable by an industry association model similar to CII's.
• American Trucking Associations (ATA): ATA is the largest trade association for the U.S. trucking industry. While ATA covers a different transportation mode, it is broadly comparable to CII as a long-standing (industry-level) trade association that runs awards programs, advocacy, events, and education/training for its member companies and their workforce.
• International Air Transport Association (IATA): IATA is the global trade association for airlines, comparable to CII in organizing industry standards, awards, training, and events, but operating at a much larger global scale and across a different transportation mode. Useful as a model of where a well-run industry association can scale.

Direct peers

• World Shipping Council (WSC): WSC represents the international liner shipping industry on policy, safety, and environmental matters. It is directly comparable as a sister trade association whose member ocean carriers (Maersk, MSC) are also CII sponsors; CII director Anne Kappel is Senior Advisor to WSC, evidencing the tight ecosystem overlap.
• American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA): AAPA is the trade association for public port authorities in the Western Hemisphere. It is directly comparable to CII in that CII's sponsor base — Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles, Port Houston, Georgia Ports — overlaps heavily with AAPA's membership, and both organizations host signature galas/awards for the port/maritime community.
• Intermodal Association of North America (IANA): IANA is the trade association for the intermodal industry, directly comparable to CII in mission (promoting intermodal/containerized freight), membership base (ocean carriers, ports, suppliers), and activities (industry events, awards, advocacy). Notably, CII director Robert Cannizzaro was formerly COO at IANA, evidencing tight ecosystem overlap.
• Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP): CSCMP is the leading professional association for supply chain management, comparable to CII in organizing education, awards, scholarships, and networking events for the broader logistics/supply chain community, serving similar corporate and academic constituents.

Others

• BSY Associates: BSY Associates is the marketing communications firm founded by the late Barbara Yeninas (CII's former Senior Advisor) and now led by Executive Director Lisa Aurichio. It is closely tied to CII through its leadership and provides adjacent professional services (branding, PR, event communications) that support CII's operations.
• Northwest Seaport Alliance: Northwest Seaport Alliance is a port operating authority listed as a CII sponsor. It is thematically related to CII's mission as a port industry participant, but functions as a port operator/management entity rather than a trade association, so it is a peer/ecosystem participant rather than a directly competing organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CIIContainer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Containerization & Intermodal Institute