2018 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit

NAFTA Modernization - 
Update on Negotiations and where things currently stand related to US-Canada Trade
In November 2016, PNWER established a NAFTA Modernization Task Force to develop a regional bi-national consensus of recommendations needed to update the agreement. The Task Force held monthly calls to discuss key areas of interest to include in a modernized agreement and to develop a survey to collect feedback from economic sectors across the bi-national region. With NAFTA renegotiation ongoing, PNWER provides regular updates on the process to stakeholders. This continues to be a priority for PNWER delegation visits to Ottawa and D.C.
www.http://www.pnwer.org/nafta-modernization.html

Update on NAFTA negotiations

• Chris Sands, Senior Research Professor and Director of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Canadian Studies
• Colin Robertson, Vice President and Fellow, Canadian Global Affairs Institute
• Dan Ujzco, Of Counsel and Cross Border (Canada - U.S.) Practice Group Chair, Dickinson Wright

Regulatory Cooperation - What is the potential impact of expanding regulatory alignment?  What opportunities exist for expanding cooperation at both the federal and state/prov./territory levels? 
PNWER played a significant role in getting the Regulatory Cooperation Council started in 2011 and our partners provided input on several initiatives impacting our region. As we move toward examining the future of the RCC we are also examining how states and provinces might streamline regulations on a regional level.   What suggestions do we have for expanding the Regulatory Cooperation Council initiative between the US and Canada?  How can states and provinces work together to cooperate on regional regulatory issues?

• Bob Carberry, Founder, Carberry Insights and Associates Inc, Chief strategist for the Canada-US regulatory cooperation effort between 2011 and 2016.

Private sector perspective on NAFTA, trade, and regulatory alignment

• Bill Lane, Executive Director, Trade For America

Click the link to see the Session Video

Hosted by Nelson Mullins and Trade for America

• Introduction: Rep. Mike Cuffe and Dr. Laurie Trautman to brief on PNWER accomplishments over the past year
• Dialogue with stakeholders on the future of the border: 
  • John Ossowski, President, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) 
  • Alan Bersin, Former Assistant Secretary, US Dept. of Homeland Security
• Assessing the Current Landscape
  • Cargo preclearance: UPS Perspective  
    • Amgad Shehata, Senior Vice President, United Parcel Service (UPS)
  • What is falling through the cracks? What are potential opportunities to advance new ideas?
    • Jennifer Fox, NASCO
  • Utilizing new technologies at the border 
    • Rose Marie Davis, Director in Planning, Program Analysis and Evaluation, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
• How to advance Beyond Preclearance 
  • Solomon Wong, President and CEO, Intervistas & Gerry Bruno, VP of Federal Government Affairs, YVR
• Looking to the Future: Open Dialogue
  Topic: What is the focus of the next decade and how do we get back on track? What do we want to see happen? Where are we going in the next 10 years and how can PNWER push the vision for a cross-border region and economy?
• Action Items

Greetings and Opening Remarks by Working Group Co-Chairs

• Rep. Gael Tarleton, Washington State Legislature
• Dave Cowen, CEO, The Butchart Gardens

Presentation of Regional Tourism Dashboard
Overview of this year's tourism facts and figures from the region

• Paul Nursey,  President and CEO, Tourism Victoria

Marketing Discussion: Washington Tourism Alliance & Washington Tourism Legislation
Washington State recently passed legislation to create a statewide tourism marketing program. Hear the latest updates on these efforts.

• Becky Bogard,  Managing Member, Bogard & Johnson LLC

2018 Industry Listening Session: Cruise
Industry professional speaks from their perspective on industry challenges and specifically about future of preclearance

• Greg Wirtz, President, North West and Canada, Cruise Lines International Association

Discussion: The Border Challenges of Marijuana 

• Rep. Gael Tarleton, Washington State Legislature
• Dave Cowen, CEO, The Butchart Gardens

Access & Dispersion
Preclearance Implementation

• Gynii Gilliam, President, Coeur d'Alene Economic Development Corporation

Other Issues

• Rep. Gael Tarleton, Washington State Legislature
• Dave Cowen, CEO, The Butchart Gardens

Tourism Sustainability and Resilience
IMPACT Tourism Sustainability Conference Report Out

• Paul Nursey, President and CEO, Tourism Victoria

Perimeter Security

• Gerry Bruno, VP Federal Government Affairs, Vancouver Airport Authority

PNWER Tourism Working Group Governance
Motion to seek Tourism Working Group appointees from each State and Province

Development of Recommendations and Resolutions