30th PNWER Annual Summit to be Held in 2021
The COVID-19 crisis has presented unparalleled challenges to communities across the Pacific Northwest region. As an organization representing states, provinces & territories, PNWER's top priority is to foster safe and mutually-beneficial collaboration across our 10 jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada.

After careful deliberation with our PNWER Officers, Executive Committee, Montana Host Committee, and legislative members, the 30th Annual Summit will now be held in Big Sky, Montana, August 15-19, 2021. 

PNWER will instead be hosting a series of virtual sessions examining a sector-by-sector approach to safe recovery in each of our working group focus areas. These virtual sessions will be happening over the course of the next six months and will enable us to reach additional legislators who were not able to travel to the Summits in the past. We encourage you to follow PNWER on social media and on our website for updates and to share information with your colleagues about the virtual sessions.

Given the current public health crisis and corresponding economic challenges, our mission is more important than ever. As we navigate these challenges, PNWER is focused on the safe recovery of our regional economy and sharing the best practices between the essential services and non-essential service sectors as each jurisdiction begins their phased re-opening of the economy. The role of PNWER networks and the strength of our bi-national relationships can play a key role in economic recovery around the region.

While the decision was a difficult one, the most important consideration was the safety and well-being of our government and business leaders, our academic and non-profit partners, and stakeholders throughout the region. We remain committed to our mission of promoting regional collaboration, serving as a conduit to exchange information and sharing best practices. We will work to continue to provide opportunities to collaborate and share important information over the coming months.

PNWER is fully committed to providing services and resources to our legislative and business leadership throughout this pandemic. We have put together a catalogue of COVID-19 resources for you that we encourage you to check out. We also ask for your input, suggestions, and ideas on how PNWER can serve you and your communities during this time of change and upheaval.

Sincerely,
Senator Mike Cuffe
PNWER President 2019-2020
Montana State Legislature
Matt Morrison
Chief Executive Officer
PNWER
Join PNWER for a continuing series of webinars exploring regional economic recovery strategies through the lens of tourism, infrastructure, workforce, cross-border issues, natural resources, and more. Hear from experts and examine best practices, innovative ideas, and practical solutions on how our region can look towards recovering our economy.

Transportation & Infrastructure
  • Rail and Road: Safety in Grade Separation
  • Cutting the Red Tape: State and Federal Permitting Reform



Tourism & the Border
  • Recovering the Regional Tourism Economy: Impacts to Tourism & Re-Opening Borders



Natural Resources
  • As the Natural Resource Workforce Returns, How Do Organizations Ensure Safety Protocols are in Place and Practiced?



Disaster Resilience: Cybersecurity Series
  • Topics to be Addressed include: the Virtual Workforce, Connectivity, Safety, and More



Further Sessions related to Agriculture, Energy, Innovation, & Invasive Species to be Announced

Check our website or social media for updates!
How Can PNWER Help?
PNWER wants to hear from you about the challenges facing your industry and what you need to help jumpstart the recovery of your sector. Our goal is to help develop sector-by-sector strategies for regional economic recovery and share best practices and resources across the region.

Please complete our survey below to share your valuable input.
In an effort to alleviate some of the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region's (PNWER) Center for Regional Disaster Resilience (CRDR) has put together an evolving catalogue of general resources for the coronavirus pandemic as well as more specific information on the U.S.-Canada border closure, essential workforce, public health, and economic impact.
Thank you to our PNWER Sponsors
Learn how you can become a PNWER sponsor
by visiting pnwer.org/sponsorship
Montana is Worth the Wait
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