Please join us November 17-19 in Seattle, WA for the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region's Economic Leadership Forum!
Session Topics include:
  • 5G
  • Automated, Connected, Electric, and Shared Vehicles
  • Border & Trade
  • Columbia River Treaty
  • Drones
  • Economic Development
  • Edge Computing
  • Innovation
  • Smart Cities
  • Smart Grids
  • USMCA
  • WA State Space Clusters
We are excited to announce that the Honourable Katrine Conroy will feature as the keynote speaker at the opening dinner on Sunday, November 17th. Minister Conroy, the BC Minister Responsible for the Columbia River Treaty, will speak on the ongoing Columbia River Treaty negotiations.
Katrine Conroy was elected as the MLA for Kootenay West in 2009 and re-elected in 2013 and 2017. She served as MLA for West Kootenay-Boundary from 2005 until the riding boundaries were re-drawn. She is the Minister of Children and Family Development. Katrine served as the Official Opposition spokesperson for Interior Economic Development, Columbia Power and Columbia River Treaty.

Successful in both community and career endeavors, Katrine has enjoyed careers as one of B.C.'s first female power engineers, as an early childhood educator, administrator and college instructor, and as a small business person.

Katrine has worked and volunteered in her community as the executive director of Kootenay Family Place, instructor at Selkirk College; co-chair of the Castlegar and District Social Planning Council, treasurer of the Regional District of Central Kootenay Community Futures Board and founding board member of the Community Social Services Employers Association.
Working Waterfront & Maritime Innovation Tour
Delegates at the Economic Leadership Forum will also have the opportunity to explore the dynamics of global trade and its impact on the region during the "Working Waterfront & Maritime Innovation Tour" of Elliot Bay on Tuesday, November 19th. Hear from port leaders, rail, shipping, and other stakeholders and learn more about the impact of changing global trade patterns, intermodal transportation linkages, the impact of tariffs on trade, and how the region is leading the charge in maritime innovation.

Here is a sneak peek of what you might see. Stay tuned for more details!
Don't Forget to Book your Room!
The Economic Leadership Forum will be held at the Grand Hyatt located at 721 Pine St. in Downtown Seattle, WA.

Use the link below to access the PNWER block and negotiated rate of $189 USD + tax/night. The PNWER block expires October 29 so book soon!

PNWER President Sen. Mike Cuffe Speaks on Columbia River Treaty
PNWER President Sen. Mike Cuffe and PNWER Executive Director Matt Morrison attended the Columbia Basin Transboundary Conference in Kimberley, BC, on September 12-14. Sen Cuffe spoke during the conference's opening dinner on PNWER and its advocacy for the Columbia River Treaty.

The Columbia Basin Transboundary Conference is an international conference addressing key issues related to the future of the Columbia River, its ecosystem, management and international implications. The conference encourages leaders, researchers, policy makers, government, Indigenous Peoples, industry stakeholders and scientists to pull out of the day-to-day and focus on improving our collective approach and our appreciation of one another and the river that binds us. The Columbia Basin Transboundary Conference fosters the exchange of technical and scientific data, historical and political information, and cultural knowledge from both sides of the border, as well as provide opportunities for cross-border collaboration. A strong focus was placed on celebrating the rich and diverse arts and culture in the Columbia River Basin.