Session 1: A Diplomatic Welcome featuring Former U.S. & Canada Ambassadors
Monday, August 16 | 7:30-9:15am MT
A panel of former U.S. - Canada Ambassadors reflecting on the U.S. - Canada relationship, plus brief recorded remarks from U.S. Senator from Montana Steve Daines. 
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Hosted by Nelson Mullins
Session 2: Re-Opening the Border with a Vision for the Future
Monday, August 16 | 9:30-10:30am MT
The year-long closure of the U.S.-Canada border is completely unprecedented. Despite efforts to plan a coordinated reopening of the border, there are no clear pathways to verify health and community safety for cross-border travel. This panel will explore existing issues and potential avenues to restoring the U.S.-Canada border relationship to full strength.

Where are we with Re-Opening the US - Canada Border? What have we learned during COVID that can improve throughput, security, efficiency, and traveler experience as we move toward restoring International Travel?
Session 3: Technology Solutions to Pandemic Challenges
​Monday, August 16 | 10:45-11:45am
The first part of the session will focus on the Future Borders Coalition and its emerging strategy for the Future Border, with research being done on interoperable technology that can leapfrog border processes into the 21st Century making International travel easier and more enjoyable. 
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The second part will highlight PNWER’s Congregate Solutions Accelerator, bringing solutions to re-start the Tourism, Performing Arts, Travel, and Hospitality, (TPATH) sectors in our region.  Senator Costello, Chair of Alaska’s Labor and Commerce Committee, and Nirav Desai, CEO of Moonbeam AI will present how PNWER is partnering with regional stakeholders and startups on scaling technology solutions that will help safely re-open the TPATH sectors.
Sponsored by Microsoft
Session 4: A Big Sky Welcome: Lunch with Governor Gianforte
Monday, August 16 | 12:15-1:30pm MT
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte welcomes attendees to the state of Montana for the PNWER Annual Summit with introductory remarks from Bob Rowe, CEO of NorthWestern Energy, and PNWER Montana Host Committee Private Sector Co-Chair.
Sponsored by NorthWestern Energy
Session 5: Connecting to Tomorrow
​Monday, August 16 | 1:45-2:45pm MT
​Broadband is a necessary part of economic growth and development across all sectors. This became even more evident in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. What have the past 18 months taught us about the role of Broadband, how can we capitalize on the lessons learned, and how do we ensure greater broadband access for all? This session will explore how broadband can unite a region, and how the pandemic accelerated the movement towards remote delivery of services. 
Session 6: The Growing Cost of Wildfires
​Monday, August 16 | 3:00-4:00pm MT
With each year, more and more of the western United States and Canada is being threatened by catastrophic wildfires. With wildfire seasons growing longer and more intense, it is imperative that our legislators, business leaders, and decision makers come together to discuss the increasing cost of wildfires to our communities, resources, and lives. Our Forestry and Disaster Resilience session will be an opportunity to discuss wildfire mitigation and response, new and ongoing policies, and the increasing costs of wildfire across our region.
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Sponsored by Idaho Forest Group and Stimson Lumber Company
Session 7: Regional Energy CEO Roundtable
Tuesday, August 17 | 7:30-9:15am MT
Join us for a high-level discussion with the CEOs of our major regional utilities as we look towards the challenges and opportunities of our shared energy future, and how we can work together to address these issues. Moderated by Bob Rowe, CEO of NorthWestern Energy, this panel will explore our changing energy landscape, the regional collaboration as we address the issues of our changing resource mix, resource adequacy, capacity issues, infrastructure, and grid modernization. 
Session 8: Overview of our Regional Energy Infrastructure and Policy Landscape
Tuesday, August 17 | 9:30-10:30am MT
Overview of our Energy Infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest
​A brief moderated discussion on our regional energy infrastructure. The many discussions taking place around energy resource adequacy, affordability, reliability, and more, are not complete without understanding the importance of our power generation, transmission, and distribution. This panel is intended to provide audiences with an overview of the state of our regional energy infrastructure.
Energy Policy Landscape in the Pacific Northwest
​Hear from our legislators on the newest policies and legislation driving the energy discussions in the Pacific Northwest. This panel will provide an update on the energy and climate legislation within our region, and provide insight on the energy policies and climate targets being set.

​Sponsored by FortisBC
Session 9: Innovative Technologies to Address Energy and Infrastructure Challenges
Tuesday, August 17 | 10:45-11:45am MT
In light of the energy challenges addressed in the previous sessions, what are some of the innovations that will help us to address our shared energy challenges and decarbonization goals? This session will showcase the exciting new and emerging energy technologies and efforts underway.
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Sponsored by Capital Power
Session 10: Managing our Region's Resources
Tuesday, August 17 | 12:15-1:30pm MT
Sponsored by Big Sky Resort
Session 11: Moving Forward: Pandemic Lessons and Economic Recovery
​Tuesday, August 17 | 1:45-2:45pm MT
​An in-depth discussion of what we have seen and learned from the economic downturn of 2020 and subsequent recovery. What does the future hold?
Sponsored by The Washington Companies
Session 12: The Critical Minerals Driving Our World
Tuesday, August 17 | 3:00-4:00pm MT
Overview of the Canada-US Roadmap - Cross Border Collaboration on critical minerals and the role they play in the renewable energy transition and economic development for both countries.
Innovative solutions being implemented in the State of Montana to meet the fly ash supply chain challenges facing in North America.
Sponsored by Teck
Remarks from U.S. Senator Jon Tester
Tuesday, August 17 | 4:00-4:30pm MT

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​U.S. Senator Jon Tester of Montana provides remarks to PNWER Annual Summit attendees and answers questions about federal policy and  the happenings in Washington, D.C.
Session 13: Infrastructure Today and Tomorrow
Wednesday, August 18 | 8:00-9:15am MT
​Transportation and Infrastructure have emerged as priority issues in both the U.S. and Canada. Hear from key transportation legislators from across PNWER as they discuss recent transportation successes, and what is on the legislative agenda for upcoming sessions.
Sponsored by BNSF Railway
Session 14: Safer, Faster, Cleaner- The Future of Freight Mobility
Wednesday, August 18 | 9:30-10:30am MT
Autonomous and electrified transportation is coming to freight vehicles and aircraft much more quickly than it is to the general public. The incorporation of autonomous Level 3, 4, and 5 technology has the potential to make trucking safer and more efficient, while preserving jobs and keeping drivers closer to home. 
The past year has seen both stronger corporate climate promises, and a new federal push towards electrification of transportation. Explore what the Pacific Northwest has been doing to lead the nation - in the US and Canada - on electrification initiatives and effective strategies for this transition to increasingly electric and autonomous vehicles and aircraft.
Session 15: Agriculture and Cross-Border Livestock Health
Wednesday, August 18 | 10:45-11:45am MT
This panel will explore a One-Health perspective on Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and the impacts of AMU/AMR on human and animal health, the environment, and trade.

Agenda:
  • Long-term effectiveness of antimicrobials to treat illness in both humans and animals
  • Potential environmental impacts of antimicrobials due to improper disposal, and in particular on wildlife and aquatic life
  • Relationship between international trade from AMU/AMR-related legislation
  • Restricted use of medically important antimicrobials in food animal species and resulting animal welfare challenges
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Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association and Simplot
A Conversation with Justin Maxson, Deputy Under Secretary of the USDA Department of Rural Development
Wednesday, August 18 | 11:45am-12:00pm MT

Justin Maxson, Deputy Under Secretary of the Department of Rural Development (U.S. Department of Agriculture) will joined PNWER delegates for brief remarks and conversation, moderated by Christy Clark, Acting Director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.
Session 16: Build Back Better-Infrastructure for Recovery
​Wednesday, August 18 | 12:15-1:30pm MT
Brief Remarks from Yukon Premier Sandy Silver followed by a presentation on 'Building Back Better' from PNWER Sponsor Bill Larson, Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition.

PNWER Past President Sen. Mike Cuffe of Montana gives speech on his time as PNWER President (2019 - 2021) and hands the gavel to newly elected PNWER President MLA Richard Gotfired of Alberta. MLA Gotfried and Sen. Cuffe express thanks to staff and all who contributed to the success of PNWER's 30th Annual Summit.

Sen. Cuffe's Remarks begin at 22:00.
Sponsored by Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition
​Alberta MLA Richard Gotfried Accepts PNWER Gavel as Incoming PNWER President
Wednesday, August 18 | 12:15-1:30pm
​MLA Richard Gotfried (Alberta) accepts PNWER Presidential Gavel from Sen. Mike Cuffe (Montana), and invites participants to PNWER's 31st Annual Summit in Calgary, Alberta. Featuring remarks from Hon. Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, and James Rajotte, Alberta's Representative to the United States in Washington, D.C.




​Mark your calendars for PNWER's 31st Annual Summit to be held in Calgary, Alberta on July 24-28, 2022!
Session 17: Water Infrastructure and Policy
​Wednesday, August 18 | 1:45-2:45pm
Competition for water resources is increasing in many parts of North America, and this trend seems sure to continue. Several regions of the U.S. and Canada have seen inter-jurisdictional conflict over shared water resources. These conflicts may be between states or provinces; between the federal government and one or more states or provinces; between the federal government, a state or province and an Indigenous tribe or First Nation; or even between nations. Some shared waters have been the subject of high-stakes litigation or political standoffs lasting many years, but others have been the focus of constructive engagement among sovereigns. This session considers transboundary waters in the Pacific Northwest region from the perspective of an observer who now inhabits a drier part of the continent.
Session 18: Pacific Northwest Rail Forum
​Wednesday, August 18 | 2:45-5:15pm
​Rail crosses and unites the PNWER region, serving as a gateway for goods to move from interior states and communities, delivering them to Pacific ports and global markets. Trains can also provide an accessible, low-carbon way to travel across the U.S., but is vastly under-utilized by passengers. In this joint session hosted by All Aboard Washington, hear from experts around the region on the present state and future of rail, and how we can leverage our existing systems to stay a competitive and green region. 
Sponsored by All Aboard Washington and Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority