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  • Home
  • Our Work
    • Working Groups
    • Center for Regional Disaster Resilience
    • PNWER RIA Program
    • RISE-WA Project
    • Future Borders Coalition (Beyond Preclearance)
    • Congregate
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • 2023 Annual Summit
    • 2023 Economic Leadership Forum
    • Past Events >
      • 2022 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2022 Annual Summit
      • 2021 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2021 Summit
      • 2020 Economic Leadership Forum-Rising Economy Week
      • 2019 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2019 Summit
  • Webinars
    • Past Webinars
    • Pandemic Resilience Roadmap
  • Energy Institute
  • Sponsorship
    • Current Sponsors
  • About Us
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    • Governance Structure
    • History
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  • Resources
    • Action Items
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27th PNWER Annual Summit

Portland, Oregon
​2017
The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region's 27th Annual Summit brought together 800 leaders from Pacific Northwest states and Western Canada to discuss opportunities for growth within the region and address major challenges to the economy and our environment. PNWER Summits feature three days of powerful keynote speakers, first-class receptions and networking opportunities, and collaborative sessions put on by PNWER's 19 Working Groups. 
​

Schedule at a Glance 
Full Program 

Presentations/Action items
Media
​
Awards
​Videos


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Past President Dan Ashton, MLA, BC passes the gavel to PNWER President Senator Arnie Roblan, Oregon
Mayor Don Iveson speaks on Edmonton's dynamism and economic growth
Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Ministry of Agriculture, engages with agriculture stakeholders
Amb. David Wilkins moderates discussion with Denis Stevens, Deputy Head of Mission, Canadian Embassy, and Chargé de Affairs Elizabeth Moore Aubin, US Embassy
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Microsoft President Brad Smith speaks on Cascadia Innovation Cooridor
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Oregon Coast Economic Summit co-met with PNWER
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Innovation Working Group

Where: Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront
1401 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97201
When:July 23-27, 2017
What: The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region's 27th Annual Summit brought together leaders from Pacific Northwest states and Western Canada to discuss opportunities for growth within the region and address major challenges to the economy and our environment. 

PNWER Summits feature three days of powerful keynote speakers, first-class receptions and networking opportunities, and collaborative sessions put on by PNWER's 19 Working Groups. 

Our 800-plus outstanding delegates include legislators, key government staff, industry leaders and visionaries in the education and non-profit sectors.
  • 576 Americans with 352 from the host state of Oregon
  • 184 Canadians
  • 54 state and provincial or territorial legislators including 20 from Oregon
  • 73 CEOs or VPs
  • 38 Executive Directors of NGO’s or associations
  • 14 Canadian Federal MPs and Senators
  • 14 University Presidents
  • 66  non-elected state government officials
  • 14  non- elected federal officials
Oregon Host Committee Members
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Rep. Bill Kennemer, Oregon Legislature
Rep. Caddy McKeown, Oregon Legislature
Rep. Deborah Boone, Oregon Legislature
Rep. Jeff Reardon, Oregon Legislture
Rich Angstrom, President, Oregon Concrete & Aggregate Producers Association 
Scott Bolton, Director, Government Affairs, PacifiCorp
Sen. Arnie Roblan, Oregon Legislature
Sen. Bill Hansell, Oregon Legislature
Sen. Rod Monroe, Oregon Legislature
Bill Wyatt, Former Executive Director, Port of Portland
Brad Leamaster, State Veterinarian, Oregon Department of Agriculture Animal Health & ID Division
Brendan McCarthy, Government Affairs Analyst, Portland General Electric
Bob Appelgate, Associate Director of Community Relations, OHSU
Crystal Ball, Oregon Constituent Account Executive, BPA
Dan Kirschner, Executive Director, Northwest Gas Association
David Kenney, President, Oregon Best
Diane Warner, Executive Director, Northwest Cement Council
Gary Bauer, Director, Government & Community Affairs, NW Natural
Hannah Cruz, Communications Manager, Energy Trust
Jay Ward, Sr. Community Relations Manager, Energy Trust of Oregon
Jennifer Stoll, Director of Government Affairs, Allergan
Jessica Iplikci, Business Sector Manager, Energy Trust
Jim Baumgartner, Black Helterline LLP
Jock Mills, Director, Government Relations, Oregon State University
​​Ken Nichols, Principal, EQL Energy
Kent Yu, Principal, Seft Consulting
Marion Haynes, Vice President, Government Affairs & Econmic Development, Portland Business Alliance
Mark Sytsma, Professor, Environmental Science and Management, Portland State University
Matt Miller, Vice President, Business Development, Greater Portland Inc
Mike McArthur, Executive Director, Association of Oregon Counties
Paul Romain, Lobbyist, OPUDA​

Embedded and Partner Events
The 2017 Summit featured special partner events including the Pacific Northwest Disaster Resilience Symposium and the Oregon Coast Economic Summit. ​
​Oregon Coast Economic Summit
When: Morning and afternoon sessions
​Date: July 26
About: The 2017 Oregon Coast Economic Summit is presented in partnership with the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region as a special session on July 26 during PNWER’s 2017 Annual Summit.

The Oregon Coast Economic Summit will bring together congressional, state, local and tribal leaders, public policy advocates, academics and private partners to discuss a wide range of topics that recognize the unique economic diversity of our coastal and rural communities.

AEC Portland Hackathon
When: Weekend before the Summit 
Dates: July 21-23
About: A weekend of geeking at its finest, the AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) hackathon is a chance for thinkers, designers, and builders to collaborate and create. With access to cutting edge technologies at the tips of their fingers, participants are asked to help kickstart the movement to drastically change the industries which shape our built environments.
Learn more here




PNWER Water Policy Working Group Session Co-hosted by CSG-West
When: Morning and afternoon sessions
Date: July 25
About: The session is presented in partnership by PNWER and the CSG-West Legislative Council on River Governance. 


CSG West’s Legislative Council on River Governance (LCRG), established in 1998, is made up of state legislators from each of the Columbia River basin states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The LCRG provides its members with opportunities to discuss the common challenges facing the people living and doing business in the basin, and to share strategies for addressing these challenges.

​
Northwest Disaster Resilience Symposium 
When: Morning and afternoon sessions
Dates: July 24-25
About: The symposium was embedded within the PNWER Summit. The two-day event hosted by the Center for Regional Disaster Resilience is designed to bring together leaders and decision makers from throughout the region to address common issues, examine solutions, and promote information sharing.
Learn more here
Read the agenda
​

VIDEOS

Brad Smith
Brad Smith, President of Microsoft spoke on the legacy of innovation and collaboration in the Pacific NorthWest and tools to forge greater ties including transportation and broadband access. July 25, 2017

​Video courtesy of TVW
Transportation Session
The Northwest is a hub for resource production and exports. Oil safety experts discuss oil movement in the Northwest. Global economic market impact on oil supply network discussed. Session concludes with legislative response panel. Session agenda and speaker biographies available here. July 25, 2017

Video courtesy of TVW


Infrastructure Session
The Region's infrastructure needs modernization and expansion. Session includes an update on actions in DC and financing opportunities for states/cities. Best practices highlighted in public-private partnerships from Canada and implications for US states/municipalities. Session agenda and speaker biographies available here. July 26, 2017

Video courtesy of TVW

AWARDS

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Consul General Lynne Platt, US Consulate in Vancouver, recognizes Bruce Agnew for his leadership in developing cross-border transportation connections.
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Rep. Mike Cuffe, Montana and PNWER Vice-President, speaks on the work of the Montana Invasive Mussel Team in preventing the spread of economic and environmentally damaging mussels.
Every year, PNWER recognizes exemplary leaders who have reduced tensions between the US and Canada in our region, or played a major role in bringing greater awareness and collaboration between cross-border organizations and stakeholders.

Bruce Agnew, Cascadia Center, was recognized with the Alan Bluechel Memorial Award for his visionary leadership in promoting transportation solutions for the shared prosperity of the region.

The Montana Invasive Mussel Team was awarded the Hot Potato Award for their work on building a firewall protecting the U.S. and Canadian shared Columbia River Basin following the discovery of invasive mussels in Montana. The team is led by 
Matt Wolcott, Incident Commander for the Montana Mussel Response Team and Randy Arnold, Regional Supervisor for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Bryce Christians, Chair of the Montana Invasive Species Advisory Council, and John Trapp, Operations Chief Incident Command Team accepted on their behalf. 

History
The Private Sector Leadership Award was named in honor of the late Alan Bluechel who envisioned the establishment of a collaborative region-wide organization to address common issues and interests was that of former State Sen. Alan Bluechel, Wash. Sen. Bluechel grew up in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan and came to the Legislature with a keen sense of the bi-national region now encompassed by PNWER; he was aided in the pursuit of his vision by counterpart Jim Horseman, then Deputy Premier and Minister of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs for Alberta. Sen. Bluechel served as PNWER's first president.

The Public Sector Leadership Award is called "The Hot Potato Award" in reference to the Pig War of 1859 where a dispute over a pig's consumption of a stolen potato in the San Juan Islands nearly led to armed confrontation between the American and Canadian settlers. The conflict was peaceably resolved and eventually led to the current-day boundary between Washington State and British Columbia. 



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Bryce Christian and John Trapps accept the Hot Potato Award alongside Rep. Mike Cuffe, Montana, and PNWER CEO Matt Morrison.
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Bruce Agnew accepts the Alan Bluechel Memorial Award alongside PNWER President Dan Ashton, MLA, British Columbia.

Featured Receptions​
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Taste of Oregon Reception
Wednesday, July 26

The final evening of the Summit is one you will not want to miss. Summit attendees will be treated to a "Taste of Oregon" reception at the Oregon Historical Society on Wednesday, July 26. The reception will feature the finest seafood and local flavors from the Oregon Coast, along with tastings from renowned wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Participants will have the opportunity to talk directly to the growers and producers. Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the JFK Exhibit which is currently being featured at the Oregon Historical Society. ​

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​Reception at Collaborative Life Sciences building
Hosted by Portland State University
Monday, July 24
​
Enjoy an evening reception along the beautiful Portland waterfront at the Collaborative Life Sciences building hosted by Portland State University. The reception will feature the best of local Portland cuisine and food truck culture.

​The Collaborative Life Sciences Building is a unique, interdisciplinary, multi-institutional facility combining the resources and brainpower of three Oregon Universities under one roof to create a truly collaborative environment for next generation health and science education and research. 

The Collaborative Life Sciences building incorporates a number of sustainable design innovations. The building is LEED Platinum certified, with sustainable features such as green roofs, storm water collection for non-potable water uses throughout the building, and energy-efficient lighting and climate control​


Thank you to our 2017 sponsors:

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Phone: (206) 443-7723 
Fax: (206) 443-7703
Email: info@pnwer.org
World Trade Center West
2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 460
Seattle, WA 98121