The Binational Tourism and Economic Alliance – a coalition of businesses and other groups on the Ontario and New York sides of the Niagara River – is holding its annual conference this March 10 and 11, focused on the many challenges and opportunities we face as a greater Niagara region.
This conference will feature business and tourism leaders, academics and a host of other speakers, actively working to fulfill the potential of the Niagara, Ontario and Erie and Niagara County, New York area as a culturally and economically sustainable international gateway for present and future generations of people who live and work here.
Niagara At Large is posting the agenda for this upcoming conference, titled ‘Binational Dialogues 2011 – Building A Binational Community’, below, along with the conference’s location and contacts for further information.
CALLING ALL BICENTENNIAL PLANNERS, SPORT DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONS
JOIN US FOR “BINATIONAL DIALOGUES 2011 – BUILDING A BINATIONAL COMMUNITY”
Thursday, MARCH 10 & Friday, MARCH 11, 2011, Americana Conference Resort & Spa, Niagara Falls, ON
The Binational Alliance, Niagara College, Niagara University, University at Buffalo, Brock University, Erie County Industrial Development Agency, Niagara Region, Niagara Bicentennial Legacy Council and Niagara Sport Commission invite you to join us in this collaborative event. Now in it’s second year, the Binational Dialogues Summit bring together the best of the Binational Summit, Star Awards, Bi-National Speaker Series and Crossing Borders Student Conference into one comprehensive annual program.
This year we are focusing on four specific areas that are key to our binational region’s growth and job creation over the next 5 years, along with new business opportunities on the horizon in our own and other cross-border regions. Learn about:
1) 1) The Border in 2011 – Deloitte presents this update on the Niagara border and economic impact of changes over the last 10 years – the latest and most comprehensive report since 2007, with specific case studies on World Junior Hockey, the Logistics Industry, the Motor Coach Industry and Student Travel
2) 2) Global Gateway Development – Free Trade Zones, Financing, Legal Requirements & Other Resources for Exporting into the U.S. or Canada via the Niagara Border
3) 3) Sport Tourism – Successful Attraction & Delivery of Large Sporting Events to Generate New Destination Appeal and Year-Round Revenues in the Golden Horseshoe
4) 4) The 1812 Bicentennial & Cultural Economics – Utilizing the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and Attraction Power of Arts & Heritage to Rebrand the Southern Great Lakes Region
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Terry Wright, EVP, Games Operations, Vancouver 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games
Mr. Wright has spent the last three decades building his experience with more than 15 provincial, national and international events such as the Commonwealth and Pan American Games, Goodwill Games and the World Masters Games. As a key member of the Vancouver project since 1997, he will provide the delegates with a unique insider’s view of all the triumphs and difficulties associated with the Vancouver 2010 Games and demonstrate the importance of collaboration between all sectors of a community, including binational neighbours, in delivering events of this nature, and the benefits that result from same.
Thursday, March 10 – 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Opening Reception Co-Hosted by Canadian Consul General Marta Moszczenska and U.S. Consul General Kevin Johnson
Binational Star Awards: Mayor Paul Dyster, Buffalo Sabres, Dearborn Street Community Association and Niagara Sport Commission
Binational Cornucopia: Niagara College, Buffalo State College, Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate Winery, Inniskillin Winery, Gretzky Estates Winery, Niagara College Winery & Brewery
1812 Bicentennial Cultural Showcase & Entertainment: Bicentennial Music by Lee Murdock and James Gordon, Preview of “Peace Offerings” Contemporary Bicentennial Dance, Aboriginal Presentation by Six Nations Woodlands Cultural Centre Museum, Bicentennial Art Cards Display, Award Winning Bicentennial PSAs
Special Doors Open Tribute: Art of Architecture Award Winning Photographer Julia Piorkowski
Friday, March 11 – 7:30am to 5:00pm
· · Registration Opens at 7:30 a.m.
· · Binational Trade Show & Continental Breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m.
· · Plenary and Concurrent Sessions 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
· · Happy Hour at Jack Tanner’s Restaurant 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cash Bar
Opening Plenary: Building A Binational Community: Changes at Our Borders and Structuring New Business Relationships
Jason Burgess, Deloitte Toronto
Concurrent Sessions: – The Latest Information (AM) and From Information to Action (PM)
1) Economic Development – Building Global Gateways to New North American And International Markets
Maryann Stein, Erie County Industrial Development Agency, Buffalo NY
Kirk Weaver, Region of Niagara, Niagara ON
Carolyn Powell, Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, Buffalo NY
Rosanna Berardi, Berardi Immigration Law, Buffalo NY
Catharine Ackerson, M & T Bank, Toronto ON
Jim Manno, Sonwil Distribution, Cheektowaga, NY
2) Tourism – Using Large Sport Events to Attract New Cross-Border Visitors
Jim Ralston, Niagara International Marathon, Niagara Falls ON
Scott McRoberts, Niagara Sport Commission, Niagara ON
Michael Gilbert, Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo NY
Stephen Fischer, Welland International Flatwater Centre, Welland ON
Laura Cousens, Brock University Sports Management Program, St. Catharines, ON
Jim Hermann, Niagara University Sports Management Program, Niagara University, NY
3) Culture – Connecting the Arts & Heritage for 1812 Bicentennial Success
Anne Rota, Town of Amherstburg ON
Teresa Mitchell, Seaway Trail NY
Keith Jamieson, Cultural Consultant, Six Nations on the Grand River, Oshweken ON
Maggie Durocher, Town of Kingsville ON
Sandra Shaul, City of Toronto
David Rotterman, WNED, Buffalo NY
Sandra Starks, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo NY
LUNCH KEYNOTE: Terry Wright, EVP, Games Operations, Vancouver 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games – From Bid to Delivery: An Economic Development Model for Binational Communities
Closing Plenary: Cross-Border Updates – Building a Strong Southern Great Lakes Region
Howard Kelly, Ottawa Capital Corridor, Ottawa ON
Dr. Ken Snyder, UB Neurosurgery, Buffalo NY
Dr. Kathryn Friedman, UB Regional Institute, Buffalo NY
Sean Bertleff, Niagara Emergency Services, Niagara Falls ON
Go to http://www.btapartners.com for complete Summit and Speaker details. Sponsorship opportunities still available – contact Arlene White at 905.401.4450.
Click here for Delegate Registration or Trade Show Registration
For more information visit www.btapartners.com or call Helga Honey at 1.877.884.2736 ext 157
Many thanks to our guest speakers, event partners and the generous sponsors of this event. Click here for our complete list of sponsors.
Niagara At Large 