Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Northern Ports Symposium opens Wednesday

For the next three days the topic of discussion around Prince Rupert will revolve around the Port.

Not an unusual thing we imagine, but from Wednesday through Friday the discussion will be among those who know the Port of Prince Rupert's capabilities and potential best, the participants  of the Northern Ports Symposium and Annual General Meeting,  a group which holds its annual session this week in Prince Rupert.

Delegates arrive in Prince Rupert with much to examine and discuss, all with the backdrop of being in the city that offers much of the transportation infrastructure that can move product to world markets.

The agenda for the three days offers a glimpse into much of the current economic development across the Northwest and will look at a number of future possibilities as well.

The majority of the sessions take place at Prince Rupert's North Coast Meeting and Convention Centre, wrapping up with a bus shuttle to Terrace for a first hand look at developments at the two inland cities.

Hosted by the Northwest Corridor Development Corporation, the three day symposium kicks off on Wednesday Evening with a Wine and Cheese Reception.

Featured among the opening remarks will be speeches of welcome to the delegates from the Mayor of Prince Rupert Jack Mussallem and Prince Rupert Port Authority President and CEO Don Krusel.

Also in attendance and scheduled to speak on Wednesday night will be Rupert Potter, the UK Consul General and Deputy High Commissioner.

Thursday provides for the bulk of the information sessions, with presentations from a variety of participants, on a number of topics including.

Conference Opening
Welcome from Mayor Jack Mussallem
Welcome from Hereditary Chief Tsimshian Nation, Alex Campbell
Welcome from North Coast MLA Gary Coons

Carolyn Kolebaba, Chair of the NCDC
Topic: Where we have been - Where we are going

Derek Baker, City of Prince Rupert Economic Development Officer
Topic: An overview of City of Prince Rupert initiatives

Don Krusel, Prince Rupert Port Authority President and CEO
Topic: What's new - What's in the future, brief on expansion, cruise ships, etc.

Mike Cory, Senior Vice President, Western Region of Canadian National Railway
Topic: The role of Rail and new rail initiatives on Northern Corridors

Cathy Goulet, Executive Director Northern Alberta Development Council
Wendy Cooper, President and CEO Port Alberta
Topic: Alberta Perspective on Northern Corridors

Mary Joan Aylward, Aylward research Services
Topic: Accessing the Northwest corridor

Tara Bogh, Prince George Initiatives
Even Van Dyke, Terrace Economic Development
Topic: BC communities along the corridor

Michele Perret, Senior Manager and Municipal Relations, Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline
Topic: Northern Gateway Project

Keynote Speaker for Thursday
Graham Kedgley, Founding Director of the NCDC

Friday's sessions will be begin in Prince Rupert and then delegates will travel by bus to tour facilities and infrastructure in Terrace and Kitimat.

Joanne Monaghan, Mayor of Kitimat
Topic: Welcome, update on the Port of Kitimat

Michael Lamarre, Rio Tinto Alcan's KMP Project
Topic: An update on the Expansion of Rio Tinto in Kititmat

David Black, Owner of Black Press Ltd.
Topic: A look at his proposed Kitimat Oil Refinery

Carolyn Kolebaba, Chair of NCDC
Closing of conference

Participants then embark on a bus tour of Terrace and Kitimat

The symposium and General Meeting then comes to a close with a final reception which will takes place at the Terrace Airport.

The full program for the three day gathering can be found here.

Items of note from northwest media sources can be found below.

CFTk TV 7-- Ports Symposium (video)
CFTK TV 7-- Rupert Port Plans for Expansion
CFTK TV 7-- Port Symposium Begins Today in Prince Rupert
The Northern View-- Prince Rupert to host northern ports conference in October


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