October 25, 2018
Get Ready for the Economic Leadership Forum!
Here at PNWER, we are getting excited for the upcoming Economic Leadership Forum . We hope you are, too! Check out the highlighted sessions and speakers below and get ready to join us in Whitehorse, Yukon on November 13-15!
For more information, visit our event page HERE.
Session #2- Armchair Discussion on
U.S.-Canadian Relationship
Consul General Katherine Dhanani,
Consulate of U.S.
in Vancouver
Consul General Brandon Lee, Consulate of Canada
in Seattle
Consul General
Lucia Piazza,
Consulate of U.S.
in Calgary
Session #3- First Nations Economic Development & Aboriginal Tourism
McGarry Selbee
CEO
Chief Isaac Group of Companies
Greg Finnegan
CEO
The Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation
Wednesday Luncheon Keynote
Grand Chief Peter Johnston
Council of Yukon First Nations
Session # 7- New Opportunities in Infrastructure
David Bennett
 Director, Communications & External Affairs, FortisBC Energy, Inc.
Mark Romoff
President & CEO
The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships
Bruce Agnew
Director
Cascadia Center
Networking Receptions
You are invited to attend two evening networking receptions during the Economic Leadership Forum. You will be joined by legislators from both the U.S. and Canada as well as regional business and policy leaders and First Nations members.
Join us on Tuesday, November 13 for a reception at the MacBride Museum of Yukon History . Hear from Deputy Premier of Yukon, The Honourable Ranj Pillai, and meet local dignitaries while learning about the rich history of the Yukon.
Join us the next evening, Wednesday, November 14, for a reception hosted at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre for an opportunity to meet with First Nations Leaders and Members and learn about the culture, traditions, and history of the Yukon First Nations.
Accommodations & Travel
The Westmark Whitehorse Hotel
Located in the heart of downtown Whitehorse within blocks of the city’s best restaurants, nighttime hot spots, and shopping, the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel & Conference Center is the Yukon’s largest lodging and conference center.

Book your Westmark Whitehorse Hotel room online  here  and use the PNWER group code: PWNE110818  or call 1-800-544-0970 and reference PNWER. The room block expires October 20, and space in Whitehorse is limited so book soon!
Suggested Flights to/from Whitehorse
Air North- Yukon's Airline based in Whitehorse offers a limited number of flights each day. Visit the   travel section  of the Economic Leadership Forum page on our website to find suggested flights and booking information.

*Air North is also offering a 10% travel discount for Forum attendees.
Use the Promotion Code:  PNWER2018  at time of booking. Promo code is valid for the travel period: Oct.30-Nov.29.
Don't Forget to Register for the Forum!
Resilience Calls for Smart Planning and Great Leadership
by Evan Reis, Executive Director of the US Resiliency Council
"In the 1940’s, when Houston’s population was about 400,000 following devastating floods of 1935, city leaders constructed two large reservoirs outside the city to act as detention ponds, should another storm threaten their community. In the decades that followed, however, different leaders, more interested in capitalizing on the boom in oil and gas production, encroached upon these reservoirs, even permitting development within the basins themselves. Predictably, in 2017, when Hurricane Harvey blew through Harris County, the reservoirs and the surrounding area filled with water, displacing tens of thousands and causing more than $125 billion in damage and economic loss. The  New York Times  wrote, "Resettling neighborhoods, making certain places off-limits to development, creating dikes and reservoirs is difficult, both financially and politically. It takes longer than most election cycles. Memories fade. Inertia sets in. Residents just want to get their lives back to normal. Politicians want votes, not trouble."

To read the full article, click here.

Evan Reis was a featured speaker at PNWER's 2018 Annual Summit in Spokane where he gave a keynote address on how community leaders can take positive steps toward making their communities more resilient in times of disaster. To watch a recording of his keynote address at the Summit, visit TVW's website here .
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is the premier non-partisan organization bringing together policy makers, non-profits, and business leaders to support the development of our regional economy. PNWER is recognized by both the United States and Canada as a model for regional and bi-national cooperation because of its proven success. 
Thank you to our early Economic Leadership Forum sponsors!
Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference 2019
2018 Economic Leadership Forum Sponsor, Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce , would like to invite PNWER delegates to attend their Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference 2019 in Whitehorse, Yukon on Febraury 12-14.

AIIC 2019 will highlight and promote Indigenous Development Corporations and Businesses in our northern economy, alongside Yukon’s business community of partners & colleagues in mining & exploration, tourism & culture, technology & innovation, finance & investment and natural resources (renewable energy, forestry & agriculture)

The goal of AIIC 2019 is to support economic growth and prosperity by forging new relationships, advancing partnerships, and creating new contacts across the arctic including: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Northern British Columbia & Alberta, Labrador North, and Alaska. Yukon First Nation Development Corporations, and all of the Arctic Indigenous Development Corporations and businesses, play a key role, not only in Yukon’s economy but across the North. These efforts are supported when we stand together with a collaborative voice for business and northern investment to ensure a diverse and prosperous economy and community.
Receive Valuable Updates on Trade
Trade for America , a sponsor of the 2018 PNWER Annual Summit, is launching an email campaign through which they will be providing periodic updates on the latest trade developments. As part of the campaign, T4A will regularly share trade updates, stories, and stats that highlight the benefits of trade in the daily lives of Americans from all walks of life. Your involvement with Trade for America will help build broad support for trade agreements--both existing and new--that benefit U.S. workers and consumers.
 
If you're interested, please sign up for the email list on the T4A website  here .
How to Establish a Drone Program
If you did not have a chance to tune into the Center for Regional Disaster Resilience's webinar Establishing a Professional Micro-Aviation (Drone) Program, don't worry! You can still watch the entire webinar HERE.

For more information on the webinar and UAS/UAV Projects, visit the CRDR website HERE.
News from around the Region
U.S. Department of State Official Blog, October 10, 2018

Travel and Leisure , October 15, 2018

October 16, 2018

Port of Seattle, October 18, 2018

October 19, 2018

CNN, October 23, 2018

CBC, October 23, 2018

Stay Connected
Stay up to date with the latest PNWER news and activities. Check out our  Twitter feed  or  Facebook page  for updates and highlights.