Hillier, Homeland Security executive
highlight Atlantic provinces conference
Event brings world leaders in trade,
transportation, border security to Halifax
September 26, 2008
A senior executive with U.S. Homeland Security, Canada’s former chief of defence staff and the CEOs of road transportation associations from around the world will be among the headline guests of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) when it hosts its International Transportation Summit this month.
The event will bring leaders in trade, transportation and border security to the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax on Oct. 22 for an exchange of information and ideas on the global opportunities and challenges facing the multimodal transportation sector in the 21st century.
Paul Morris, executive director for admissibility and passenger programs, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will deliver a morning presentation on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and the future status of in-transit freight movement in North America.
In his current position, Mr. Morris administers passenger-related policy and programs for all land, air, sea and pre-clearance ports of entry. He has oversight for several current major initiatives such as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, Model Ports, Global Entry and the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) Quick Query, and has full responsibility for all systems, procedures, enforcement actions and performance measurements related to the processing of international travellers.
“We are thrilled to have a person of his calibre come to Halifax from Washington, D.C., to address our concerns about U.S. border policy and programs,” said APTA executive director Peter Nelson.
The summit will conclude with Gen. Rick Hillier as the dinner keynote
speaker.
“We are thrilled that Canada’s former chief of defence staff has accepted
our invitation to give one of the conference’s keynote addresses,” Mr. Nelson said. “As the highest ranking soldier in the Canadian Forces, Gen. Hillier can offer us unique insights on complex logistics and national leadership.”
Mr. Nelson also confirmed that Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald is scheduled to make an appearance at the conference’s opening night reception on Oct. 21. In addition, Charles Cirtwill, executive director of the Atlantic Institute of Market Studies, and Rob Robichaud, president and CEO of the Greater Moncton International Airport Authority, will anchor a panel discussion on the Atlantic Gateway the following afternoon.
The full lineup of events on Oct. 22 begins with a presentation by Cianbro CEO Peter Vigue on his proposed billion-dollar east-west toll road from Maine to Quebec. Mr. Vigue will be followed by Mr. Morris, and then Ray Mawhinney, chair, RBC Asset Management Inc., who will provide an economic outlook for the transportation sector in 2009.
Maria Luisa O’Connell, president of the Canada-United States-Mexico Border Trade Alliance, will deliver the luncheon address, followed by two afternoon panel discussions: one on the Atlantic Gateway featuring Atlantic Canada transportation leaders, and the second on global challenges and opportunities with CEOs of road transport associations representing Australia, United Kingdom and the U.S. as speakers.
Further information is available at www.apta.ca.