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  • Home
  • Our Work
    • Working Groups
    • Center for Regional Disaster Resilience
    • Congregate
    • Future Borders Coalition (Beyond Preclearance)
    • Pandemic Resilience Roadmap
    • PNWER RIA Program
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • 2022 Economic Leadership Forum
    • 2023 Annual Summit
    • Past Events >
      • 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
    • COVID-19 Recovery Call
  • Energy Institute
  • Sponsorship
    • Current Sponsors
  • About Us
    • Accomplishments
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Governance Structure
    • History
    • PNWER Staff
  • Resources
    • Action Items
    • Annual Reports
    • Blog
    • Leadership Awards
    • Media
    • Newsletter Archives

28th PNWER Annual Summit

Spokane, Washington
​2018
Action Items
Agenda
Columbia River
​Treaty Symposium
News
Speakers
Video + Photos
Sessions
Over 600 regional business leaders, legislators, and key decision makers participated at the PNWER Annual Summit July 22 - 26 in Spokane at the Davenport Grand Hotel. Delegates explored shared challenges in the region, discussed best practices, promoted regional relationships, and developed an action plan for addressing these challenges in the coming year. 

PNWER is recognized as the model for regional and bi-national cooperation, providing a platform for collaboration among public, private, academic, and non-profit stakeholders to work together as a region in pursuit of common goals. ​
View Summit Registrants List Here
Summit Summary
Statement on Tariffs

Session Resources

Select the session to view proceedings, presentations, and action items. 
Agriculture ​
Border & Trade
Columbia River Treaty
Cross-Border Livestock Health



​​Health Innovations
Infrastructure Resilience
Innovation
​
Invasive Species

Mining
NAFTA

​
Disaster Resilience & Cybersecurity
Economic Development
Energy
Energy Reliability & Carbon Pricing
​
Energy Innovations

Forestry


Tourism
Transportation
University Presidents
Water Policy 
Workforce Development

Overview of 2018 Annual Summit

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers in discussion with Colin Robertson, Canadian Global Affairs Institute during a study tour hosted by BNSF Railway.
Evan Reis, Executive Director and Co-founder of the U.S. Resiliency Council spoke about the steps that communities and leaders can take to strengthen their resilience in the wake of natural disasters. Video available.
Fmr. U.S. Amb. David Wilkins, Chris Sands, Center for Canadian Studies; Colin Robertson, Canadian Global Affairs Institute; and Dan Ujzco, Dickinson Wright spoke on the current state of free trade. Video available.
Jill Smail , US Chief Negotiator for the Columbia River Treaty and Sylvain Fabi, Canadian Chief Negotiator for the Columbia River Treaty heard from local stakeholders on the importance of the treaty to the region and the two nations. Video available.
Hon. Bob McLeod, Premier of the Northwest Territories was elected as PNWER's newest Vice President.
The two day Columbia River Tour took participants to BC to visit sites and hear from local stakeholders. Here participants visit the Keenleyside Dam in Robson, BC.

Delegates

620 regional and national leaders came to Spokane to strengthen the U.S. Canadian relationship.  

Participants included:

60+ state, provincial and territorial legislators
50 corporate CEOs or VPs
60 NGO executive directors
Several federal legislators 
15 University Presidents 
90+ governmental officials
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2018 Host Committee

Rep. Gael Tarleton, WA, Host Committee Public Sector Lead
Sen. Michael Baumgartner, WA
Sen. Andy Billig, WA
Sen. Maralyn Chase, WA 
Sen. Jim Honeyford, WA 
Sen. Judy Warnick, WA
Sen. Lisa Wellman, WA
Rep. Bruce Chandler, WA 
Rep. Mary Dye, WA
Rep. Jeff Morris, WA 
Rep. Timm Ormsby, WA
Rep. Marcus Riccelli, WA
Rep. Cindy Ryu, WA
Karen Blasdel, PNNL
Catherine Brazil, University of Washington
​George Caan, WPUDA
Stacey Cowles, Cowles Publishing
Dennis Vermillion, Avista, Host Committee Private Sector Lead
Karen Blasdel, PNNL
Catherine Brazil, UW
George Caan, WPUDA
Stacey Cowles, Cowles Publishing
Kelly Fukai, Schweitzer Engineering
Ann Goos, WSU
Gynii Gilliam, Coeur d’Alene Area EDC
Christine Johnson, Community Colleges of Spokane
Cheryl Kilday, Visit Spokane
Jessica Kirk, Greater Spokane Incorporated

Curt Kirkeby, Avista
Dan Kirschner, NW Gas Association
Todd Mielke, Greater Spokane Inc.
Col. Brian Newberry
Gloria O'Choa-Bruck, Office of Mayor Condon
Nancy Szofran, Community Colleges of Spokane
Gloria Totoricaguena, PNWER Idaho Council
Todd Woodard, Spokane International Airport


Leadership Awards

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Irene Plenefisch of Microsoft accepts the Alan Bluechel Award on behalf of Brad Smith at the PNWER Summit.
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Min. Conroy and Mr. Conroy are recognized for their efforts of bi-national Columbia River Treaty cooperation.
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.

Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, was recognized with the Alan Bluechel Memorial Award  in recognition for his efforts over the past year to develop the Cascadia Innovation Corridor and cross-border relationships. PNWER VP Rep. Gael Tarleton (left) of the Washington State Legislature presented Irene Plenefisch , Director of Government Affairs for Microsoft ( right ) with the award on Brad Smith's behalf

The Honourable Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development and Minister responsible for Columbia River Treaty, British Columbia and Former MLA Ed Conroy were recognized by Senator Arnie Roblan of Oregon (right to left) with the the Hot Potato Award for their years of work regarding Columbia River Treaty issues. 

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. 

Thank you to our sponsors

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Code of Conduct

It is the policy of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) that all participants, including attendees, staff, volunteers, and all other stakeholders at PNWER meetings will conduct themselves in a professional manner that is welcoming to all participants and free from any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. To make it possible for true collaboration, creativity, innovation, and idea exchange to thrive we are committed to facilitating a welcoming, respectful, and professional community for all.
​
Participants will avoid any inappropriate actions or statements based on individual characteristics such as age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, nationality, political affiliation, ability status, educational background, or any other characteristic protected by law. Disruptive or harassing behavior of any kind will not be tolerated. Harassment includes but is not limited to inappropriate or intimidating behavior and language, unwelcome jokes or comments, and unwanted touching or attention.

Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. PNWER reserves the right to refuse entry to or remove any party from the event at any time. Sanctions may range from verbal warning, to ejection from the meeting without refund, to notifying appropriate authorities. If you witness or are subjected to inappropriate behavior or have any other concerns, notify a PNWER staff member as soon as possible.
Phone: (206) 443-7723 
Fax: (206) 443-7703
Email: info@pnwer.org
World Trade Center West
2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 460
Seattle, WA 98121