At A Glance
August 29-31, 2023
JW Marriott ICE District
Edmonton, Alberta
“Edmonton is a vibrant urban centre in the heart of the wilderness, the largest northernmost metropolis, and the capital of Alberta, Canada. Experience what 18 hours of sunlight a day feels like in the summer, or how the first snowfall transforms the river valley in winter. No matter the season, Edmonton is made for exploring.”
Welcome + overview
We are pleased to invite you to attend the 2023 North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO) Continental Reunion as we return to the Canadian Prairies – Edmonton, Alberta to be exact! You won’t want to miss U.S., Canada, and Mexico business and political leaders gathered to discuss the future of our North American trading relationships.
The NASCO “Continental Reunion” is unique, as it rotates between Canada, the United States and Mexico each year. We bring together senior political and business leaders from the three countries to address key issues and opportunities for improved cooperation and economic partnership, as well as to deliver innovative perspectives on critical issues pertaining to the future of trade and transportation in North America.
Did you know Edmonton is Canada’s largest hydrogen hub, North America’s fastest growing tech ecosystem, and ranked 3rd globally for AI research? As one of Canada's largest metro regions, ideally located to the North, Edmonton is perfectly positioned in one of the most business friendly places in North America.
Young, Educated and Growing perfectly describes the region! Edmonton’s biggest strength is its people. With a population of 1.4 million, and 8 post secondary institutions, with more than 130,000 students, they have a young and diverse talent pool. And they are the fastest growing region in Canada, with more than double the national average in export growth and generating $105 billion in GDP. Located on Treaty 6 Territory, the Edmonton region is diverse, inclusive, and truly has it all.
Come discover the Edmonton Region with us.
Program-At-A-Glance
August 29, 2023
Daytime: Arrival and pre-purchased tourism experiences
- Ex. Elk Island National Park, Edmonton River Valley, West Edmonton Mall
Evening: Fort Edmonton Park & Indigenous Peoples Experience
August 30, 2023
Morning: Breakfast and Sessions
- Better Together: CPKC
- Alberta: A Connectivity Hub
- An Impactful Approach to Talent Development
- Tech + Innovation
Luncheon: Hydrogen Challenge
Afternoon: Pre-Registered Industry Tours
- Ex. Edmonton International Airport, Drivewyze Demo and Tour, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
- The North American Workforce Initiative
- Meet in JW Lobby for Industry Tour
Evening: Royal Glenora Club overlooking the River Valley
August 31, 2023
Morning: Breakfast and Sessions
- Energy + Sustainability
- Unlocking Western Canada's Economic Potential: Exploring Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Growth and Prosperity in the Region
- SRC Rare Earth Processing Facility
- From Border to Border
- Advancing Momentum for North American Competitiveness
Luncheon: 2024 NASCO Reunion Host
Detailed Program Agenda
Arrivals & Pre-Purchased Tourism Experiences
Elk Island National Park, Edmonton River Valley, West Edmonton Mall
NASCO Board of Directors Meeting
Location:
Edmonton Global Office
Suite 2205 - 10020 100 St. NW Edmonton, Alberta T5J 0N3
*Depart JW Marriott at 1:30pm – Enjoy a stroll to EG offices!
Return to hotel (15-20 minute walk)
Meet in JW Marriott lobby
Buses will depart at 5:30 & 6:00 for Fort Edmonton Park
1846 Fort Party & Indigenous Peoples Experience
Join us for a special evening at Fort Edmonton Park, nestled on 158 acres of wooded parkland along Edmonton's River Valley. Our welcome dinner will take place in the 1846 Fort and include local Alberta cuisine, complete with fiddler entertainment and live musket demonstrations. We’ll also have the opportunity to tour the new Indigenous Peoples Experience where you can gather and explore life through the diversity of First Nations' and Métis peoples' histories, cultures, experiences, and perspectives, local to Indigenous life in the Edmonton region.
- Sponsored & Hosted by: Government of Alberta and Edmonton Global
- Indigenous Blessing: Hunter Cardinal, Director of Story, Naheyawin
- Welcome Remarks: Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, City of Edmonton
Buses depart at 8:30 and 9:00pm for JW Marriott
Events to be held at JW Marriott unless otherwise noted
Registration & Networking
Sponsored by: CentrePort Canada Rail Park
Welcome | Bienvenu | Bienvenidos
Tiffany Melvin, President, NASCO
Malcolm Bruce, CEO, Edmonton Global
Better Together: CPKC
The transformative merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern
Railways takes center stage.
Introduction: Chris Brown, Senior Director, Business Development, Calgary Economic Development
Keynote: Coby Bullard, Senior Vice President, CPKC
Alberta: A Connectivity Hub
Exploring Alberta's pivotal position as a connectivity hub driving economic growth and regional integration in North America.
Moderator: Bryce Stewart, Deputy Minister, Transportation and Economic Corridors, Alberta Ministry of Transportation
Panelists:
Malcolm Bruce, CEO, Edmonton Global
Myron Keehn, CEO, Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
Allan To, President & CEO, Supply Chain Canada, Alberta Institute
Coffee Break
An Impactful Approach to Talent Development
Alberta has found a way to collaborate with Industry and Post Secondary in a very unique way. We will explore the partnership between the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and the Alberta Post Secondary Network. A streamlined approach that is meeting and exceeding the needs of both students and business.
Moderator: Shauna Feth, CEO, Alberta Chambers of Commerce
Panelists:
- Michelle Evans, Assistant Deputy Minister Alberta Region, PrairiesCan
- Bill Werry, Executive Director, Alberta Post Secondary Network
- Jason Leslie, COO, Alberta Chambers of Commerce
Tech + Innovation
Join industry experts as they explore the transformative power of technology in revolutionizing supply chain operations and fostering innovation.
Moderator: Catherine Warren, CEO, Edmonton Unlimited
Panelists:
- Wayne Malkin, Chief Technology Officer, Drivewyze
- Eduardo Joffroy, CEO, Joffroy Global
- Hubba Khatoon, Regional Innovation Director (Prairies), Canadian Food Innovation Network
- Dr. Quamrul Huda, JR Shaw Applied Research Chair in Industrial Automation, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology representative
Luncheon: 5,000 Hydrogen Vehicle Challenge
An initiative aimed at getting 5,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles on the road in Western Canada within five years
Special Guest: Brent Lakeman, Director of Hydrogen Initiatives, Edmonton Global
The North American Workforce Initiative
An update on a joint undertaking co-chaired by NASCO and the George W. Bush Institute to develop and test practical approaches to workforce development across the U.S., Canada and Mexico and issue recommendations to strengthen the region’s global competitiveness.
Moderator:
Tiffany Melvin, President, NASCO (confirmed)
Panelists:
- Jenny Villatoro, Program Manager, Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, George W. Bush Presidential Center
- Dr. Cylynn Braswell, Senior Advisor, Student Analytics, Frontline Education
- Wes Jurey, Senior Advisor, Manufacturing Skill Standards Council
Afternoon: Pre-Registered Industry Tours
*If you are going on the industry tours, please ride the bus from the JW Marriott*
- Drivewyze Tour & Demo
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
- NAIT Productivity and Innovation Centre (PIC)
Meet in JW Lobby for Industry Tour
Depart tour locations for Royal Glenora Club
Celebrate & Connect
Dinner at the Royal Glenora Club overlooking the scenic River Valley
Sponsored & Hosted by: Canadian Pacific Kansas City
Welcome by: David Eaton, Business Development, CPKC
Remarks: Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, Government of Alberta
Buses return to JW Marriott at 7:30 & 8:00
Registration & Networking
Sponsored by: CentrePort Canada Rail Park
Energy + Sustainability
Harnessing the power of technology and collaboration to drive energy efficiency and sustainability in the North American supply chain.
Moderator: Justin Riemer, CEO, Emissions Reduction Alberta
Panelists:
- Rachel Smith, Vice President of Canada, Air Products
- Bob Masterson, President & CEO, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
- Celeste Rebora, Director Hydrocarbon Projects, Group Valoran
Unlocking Western Canada's Economic Potential: Exploring Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Growth and Prosperity in the Region
Moderated by: Christopher McPherson, Deputy Minister, Jobs, Economy and Trade, Government of Alberta
Speaker: Diane Gray, President, Prairies Economic Development Canada
Coffee Break
Sponsored by: Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority
SRC Rare Earth Processing Facility
The Government of Saskatchewan and SRC are excited to announce the development of a Rare Earth Processing Facility - the first-of-its-kind in Canada - laying the foundation for a Rare Earth Element (REE) supply chain in Saskatchewan and forming an industry model for future commercial REE resource expansion in the province.
Introduction:
MLA Ken Francis, Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Trade and Export Development, Government of Saskatchewan
Keynote:
Dr. Muhammad Imran, Vice President, Rare Earth Element, Saskatchewan Research Council
From Border to Border
An update from the two busiest border crossings in North America – Detroit/Windsor and Laredo/Nuevo Laredo
Moderator:
Laurie Tannous, Vice President of Government and Industry Relations, Farrow & President of the Canada – U.S. Business Association
Panelists:
- Heather Grondin, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority
Laredo trade community representative - Kent Richard, Assistant Bridge Director, City of Laredo Bridge System
Advancing Momentum for North American Competitiveness
NALS and CUSMA as vehicles to enhance trilateral collaboration
Moderator: James Rajotte, Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States, Government of Albert
Panelists:
- Daniel O’Brien, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Western Hemisphere, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
- Mark Allen, Acting DG, North America, Global Affairs Canada
- Daniel Garcia, Trade Agreements, Secretaria de Economia
Closing Luncheon
Hosted by 2024 NASCO Reunion Community – Monterrey, Nuevo Leon
Passing the Torch: Andrew Knack, Edmonton City Councilor
Farewells + NASCO Reunion Concludes
2023 Host Partners
2023 Host Partners
Hotel Accomodations
JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District
10344 102nd Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 0K9
Tel: +1 780-784-7950
- NASCO special group rate: $269 CAD per night + taxes
- Room Block Cut-Off Date is Thursday, August 10
Our room block begins on Sunday, August 27, 2023 and ends on Saturday, September 2, 2023. The Cut-Off date for the room block is Thursday, July 27. After this date the JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District will do its best to accommodate any requests, however we will not be able to guarantee room available. Guests can make their room reservation by calling our Reservations at 1 (888) 236-2427. Please have the guests identify themselves as part of the NASCO Reunion 2023 to receive the contracted rate. Below is a reservation link that will allow your guests to make their room reservation online.
Connect with Confidence at JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District, Alberta's only modern, approachable luxury hotel. Enjoy innovative, state-of-the-art cleanliness protocols, prime access to Rogers Place and the ICE District combined with amenities such as Braven Restaurant, Kindred Food + Drink, The Lobby Bar, Executive Lounge and In Room Dining. Dog-friendly rooms mean that your furry friend doesn’t have to miss out on your Edmonton trip. For health and wellness, our well-being floors are also available where Spa by JW (Thursday-Sunday) and Archetype, our 13,000 sq. ft. health club along with pool, steam rooms and whirlpools await. These, combined with state-of-the-art technology such as mobile key, mobile check in and check out and mobile chat make our modern hotel the ideal destination for work and pleasure in downtown Edmonton.
GETTING THERE
Edmonton International Airport is a great destination and connection hub with non-stop flights to over 50 major cities in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. With incredible service and amenities including tons of dining choices, shopping (including 100 stores at the Premium Outlet Collection EIA) and even a horse racetrack and casino, as well as an excellent complimentary rewards program. EIA is the perfect way to start and cap off your Edmonton adventures.
EXPLORE EDMONTON
During your trip, we HIGHLY encourage you to explore nearby Jasper, Alberta either before or after our event. August is the pinnacle of summer fun in the Canadian Rockies! Jasper is an alpine town which hosts Jasper National Park amid the snowcapped Canadian Rockies, glacier-fed lakes, forests, and rivers. The wildlife sightings are also like no other – caribou, elk, moose, bears, wolves…you don’t want to miss the chance to explore this natural beauty!
We have special rates lined up with Sundog Tours in Jasper for wildlife, skytram, sightseeing, and canyon tours! Please note, the weekend after our event, is Labour Day in Canada (and the U.S.) and it is a VERY popular holiday weekend. If you are thinking of visiting Jasper and booking a tour, you need to move on this sooner rather than later! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Sundog Tours or we can connect you with our friends at Explore Edmonton.
Here are some sights to start exploring: