New York- Canada Summit

City & State’s New York – Canada Summit will highlight the importance of cultivating and maintaining a strong, efficient border relationship to support and expand New York and Canada’s $32.2 billion bilateral trade network. By convening government and business leaders from both sides of the border, City & State will advance the conversation between these two entities, focusing on how public-private partnerships and collaboration can benefit New Yorkers and Canadians.

AGENDA

8:00AM REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST

8:30AM WELCOMING REMARKS from Consul General of the US in Toronto Jim Dickmeyer and Consul General of Canada in NY John Prato

9:00AM BORDER, PORTS & BRIDGES Panelists analyze transportation issues plaguing the 445-mile shared border that supports a $32.2 billion bilateral trade relationship. 

Panelists:
James H. I. Weakley, President, Lake Carriers’ Association
Craig H. Middlebrook, Deputy Administrator of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
Rose Hilmey, Director of Area Port of Buffalo, US Customs & Border Protection
Bryan Roth, Manager of Regional Development, Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Stephen Laskowski, Canadian Trucking Alliance & Ontario Trucking Association

Sam Hoyt, Regional Director, Empire State Development & Chair, Buffalo Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority

Lew Holloway, General Manager, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission

Jeff Walters, Director of Port of Entry Operations, Canada Border Services Agency

11:00AM DEVELOPMENT, TRAVEL, & TOURISM Panelists highlight Western New York and Canadian tourism initiatives, economic development projects surrounding those initiatives, and potential partnership or collaboration opportunities.

Panelists:

Markly Wilson, Director of International Marketing,  “ I love NY” Empire State Development

David Altman, Director of Sales and Sponsorship, TORONTO 2015/PANAM GAMES
Carl Paladino, Owner/Operator, Ellicott Development

Kithio Mwanzia, Interim CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Patrick Kaler, President, Visit Buffalo Niagara

Dorian Dickinson, Board of Directors, Council of the Great Lakes Region

12:00PM LUNCH:

       REMARKS: COUNTY EXECUTIVE MARK POLONCARZ

       KEYNOTE CONGRESSMAN BRIAN HIGGINS

1:30PM THE NEW YORK – CANADA BORDER MAYORS DISCUSSION A panel of mayors from both sides of the border discuss local transportation and energy policy, and the state of cross-border relations between Canada and New York’s localities.

Mayors:

Mayor Paul Dyster, Niagara Falls, NY

Mayor Byron Brown, Buffalo, NY

Mayor Lovely Warren, Rochester, NY

Mayor Jim Diodati, Niagara Falls, ON

Mayor Doug Martin, Fort Erie, ON