The PNWER Connection: Summit Insights to Action

Building a Resilient Future through Collaboration, Innovation and Trade

The 34th Annual PNWER Summit brought together over 600 leaders from across private industry, government, associations and academia to share best practices and drive meaningful progress for our region’s economy.
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Over 40 dynamic sessions and sidebar discussions, participants sparked productive conversations and actionable ideas that will move the Pacific Northwest forward. With Washington serving as our host jurisdiction, sessions explored some of the leading industries booming in the Evergreen State – space, biotechnology, quantum computing and AI – coupled with the economic development, tourism and trade elements that support our region as a whole.

We’re grateful for all of the participants who made the event productive, and for the dedicated Host Committee, chaired by Washington Representative Cindy Ryu, Diana Birkett Rakow of Alaska Airlines, and Mary Snapp of Microsoft. PNWER exists to promote economic resilience, collaboration and innovation across our region, and continued engagement is what makes that possible. We look forward to continuing these conversations in the year ahead – stay involved as the next steps for our work take shape.
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Take a look at session recordings and presentations here, and keep reading for a snapshot of key action items guiding our cross-border work. 

Continuing the Conversation
PNWER is hosting its annual economic forum jointly with the fourth annual Pacific Northwest Rail Summit in Portland, Oregon, October 14-17, 2025. Join government and industry leaders as we explore opportunities to enhance our shared supply chains, economic corridors, energy linkages and rail networks. Learn more and register today: www.pnwer.org/2025-forum. 

Turning Ideas into Action: Our Next Steps

ENERGY
Energy is a defining issue of our region, from meeting growing demand to deploying innovative energy solutions. Experts from the U.S. and Canada’s public and private sectors explored the future of energy infrastructure, grid resilience and regional collaboration.

🡆 BUILDING BLOCK
During the Summit, PNWER released the findings of two landmark studies examining the hydrogen economy potential in the Pacific Northwest. The Cross-Border Hydrogen Analysis was commissioned by the Washington State Department of Commerce and British Columbia Clean Energy and Major Projects Office, and the Alberta Hydrogen Study was commissioned by the Government of Alberta. Both studies were conducted by Deloitte and serve as a foundational tool for deploying a robust hydrogen development ecosystem in our region. Read key findings at www.pnwer.org/h2-study.

🡆 NEXT STEP
Collaborate with the governments of British Columbia, Washington and Alberta to prioritize recommendations of the hydrogen studies and develop plans for implementation.

🡆 BUILDING BLOCK
​Policymakers, representatives from airport authorities, technology and energy companies highlighted the critical role of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in decarbonizing aviation while advancing economic development and multi-sector collaboration.

🡆 NEXT STEP
Work with the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association, the SAF Center in Snohomish County and other refineries and H2 stakeholders with government partners to develop and implement a book-and-claim system for Synthetic Aviation Fuels (SAF) to enhance regional and bi-national hydrogen trade and begin a series of calls to establish a region-wide SAF Coalition. This book-and-claim system would be based on the renewable natural gas system currently in place.

TOURISM & BORDER
​Border management remains a top of mind issue for leaders — especially as we prepare to welcome over a million visitors to Seattle and Vancouver for the FIFA World Cup games next summer. Regional experts took an in-depth look at opportunities to enhance the cross-border travel and tourism experiences that will be on the global stage in less than a year.

🡆 BUILDING BLOCK
​A new “Know Before You Go” tool was featured during the Summit, giving attendees a sneak peek into an AI system that will provide international visitors with real-time, trusted border crossing information and travel requirements for the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The tool is developed in partnership with the Future Borders Coalition and funded by Pacific Economic Development Canada.

🡆 NEXT STEP
​Support the continued development, promotion and implementation of the “Know Before You Go” tool for cross-border travel and tourism. The tool will complement PNWER’s development of a regional tourism portal, which will encourage tourism dispersion across each of PNWER’s 10 jurisdictions.

🡆 BUILDING BLOCK
​The Pacific Northwest is hosting the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup, with games being played in both Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia next June and July. PNWER is working with government and industry partners to ensure that the region’s border procedures, transportation systems and tourism experiences are event-ready.

🡆 NEXT STEP
​The Regional Tourism Council will collaborate with the border and transportation working groups to advance initiatives such as border pilot projects and transportation infrastructure improvements. PNWER will coordinate planning calls with U.S. and Canada border agencies and stakeholders to develop strategies to increase tourism processing capacity.

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION
Trade and transportation keep our region’s economy moving. Sessions explored new ways for our region to maximize competitiveness, enhance our supply chains and advance shared economic growth.

🡆 NEXT STEP
​Continue to host calls with cross-border chambers of commerce and businesses to share information on the impact of shifting trade policies. Discussions will be held with stakeholders on potential recommendations or updates to USMCA/CUSMA.

🡆 BUILDING BLOCK
​Sessions underscored the necessity of building resilient supply chains to support domestic and international trade from the Pacific Northwest. Strategic cross-sector partnerships and innovative investments can advance critical infrastructure in our region’s port, rail, road and maritime sectors.

🡆 NEXT STEP
​Form a cross-border supply chain resilience working group to address the impacts of supply chain disasters and ensure future-ready rail, trucking and maritime sectors. The PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator team will coordinate with the U.S. Maritime Administration in developing contingency plans in the event of a major natural disaster interrupting the delivery of critical resources at Alaska ports. 
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PNWER is seeking a Congressionally directed appropriation to support a Northwest Export Accelerator initiative. U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are supporting the request, which will be up for Senate and House approval in the coming months.

ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE
​The Pacific Northwest is rich in agricultural commodities like apples, wheat and livestock. Livestock health experts from the subnational and national levels exchanged insights on avian influenza management and prevention. Agriculture, water policy and invasive species prevention also took center stage, as leaders work to advance policy alignment and sustainability.

🡆 NEXT STEP
​PNWER will host coordination calls with state, provincial and federal veterinarians to encourage information sharing and begin planning discussions for the next Annual Summit in Edmonton, Alberta, in July 2026.

🡆 BUILDING BLOCK
PNWER is drafting a resolution on the importance of addressing the imminent threat of invasive mussels through prevention, readiness, and mitigation across our region. The resolution is designed to elevate invasive mussels as the top aquatic invasive species priority for the region, urge governments to continue to prioritize and strengthen prevention and response and highlight the importance of existing partnerships.

🡆 NEXT STEP
Host an aquatic invasive species summit in Saskatchewan in the spring of 2026, modeled after a successful statewide response summit held in Spokane, Washington last winter. PNWER will work with the Government of Saskatchewan to host the event.

🡆 NEXT STEP
​Coordinate with stakeholders and the Macdonald-Laurier Institute about potential options for a database of information that promotes the ties between the U.S. and Canada related to critical minerals. The information will have a focus on processing materials in North America. PNWER will seek funding to create a targeted, cross-border critical minerals strategy modeled after its hydrogen economy studies completed this year.

🡆 NEXT STEP
​Submit public comment to the U.S. Federal Register in support of the U.S. government adding potash to the list of recognized critical minerals. Potash is a critical mineral harvested in large quantities in Saskatchewan and used as fertilizer in agriculture practices. More on potash’s role in our region is here.

INNOVATION
Sessions showcased how the Pacific Northwest has become a hub for innovation and explored opportunities to foster growth through innovation. AI is quickly emerging as a prominent tool, but what does it mean for workforce development, education and other industries? Experts showcased applications for AI and inspired continuing conversations about its impact in our region. Attendees came away with an understanding of how policy, investment and culture created the conditions for innovation to thrive. 

🡆 NEXT STEP
​Promote the Northwest Quantum Nexus as a regional convener and assist them in organizing a meeting to discuss workforce development and other regional initiatives to advance the quantum industry in the Pacific Northwest.

DISASTER RESILIENCE

🡆 NEXT STEP
​Develop a business plan to seek funding for a building resilience strategy in coordination with partners in planning, prevention, designing for resilience, risk management and finance/insurance sectors. The funding would support research, workshops and coordination meetings. ​

🡆 NEXT STEP
​Participate in the Nationwide Regional Risk and Resilience Collaborative (NR3C) wildfire working group, a subsection of a broader, nationwide disaster resilience planning group. PNWER will contribute to Pacific Northwest-focused workshops, priority needs exploration and policy recommendations.

Welcoming New PNWER Leadership
The PNWER Delegate Council elected Saskatchewan Minister of Environment Travis Keisig to serve as the next PNWER president and Alberta MLA Shane Getson to serve as PNWER Canadian vice president at the Summit on July 20. The PNWER Executive Board, which includes a president and two vice presidents from the U.S. and Canada, leads the delegate council in promoting PNWER’s mission. Read the press release here. 

How to Stay Engaged
​PNWER has 16 working groups that span topics relevant to the Pacific Northwest’s economy. The groups are open to both public and private sector partners and span a variety of issues driving economic development across the region. Fill out the form below to get involved.

working group intake form

​JOIN US IN PORTLAND!
We’re continuing these conversations at the Build Northwest Economic Forum and Pacific Northwest Rail Summit – held jointly in Portland, Oregon, October 14-17. Policymakers and industry leaders from across the region are invited to discuss advancements in energy corridors, supply chains, trade and freight and passenger rail. 

Explore the agenda and register today: www.pnwer.org/2025-forum.

SAVE THE DATE: PNWER'S 35TH SUMMIT
The 35th PNWER Annual Summit will be held in Edmonton, Alberta, July 19-23, 2026. Alberta is a major economic engine in Canada, driving diversified growth and advancing innovation across energy, agriculture and trade. The Summit will offer attendees unique opportunities to share best practices, connect with regional decision makers across government and industry, and advance meaningful progress for the region’s economy. Learn more at www.pnwer.org/2026-summit. 

Support PNWER
Sponsors sustain PNWER's ongoing programs and annual workplan that drive cross-border collaboration, innovation and trade. In turn, PNWER provides high visibility to a trusted regional network of legislators, policymakers and industry leaders, connecting sponsors to the conversations shaping our regional economy. By supporting PNWER, you help turn ideas into action while sharing your company's expertise across our expansive cross-border network. We hope you'll consider partnering with us. Explore sponsorship opportunities here. 

SPONSOR TESTIMONIAL
“We get great relationships across the border and as always, the presentations and programs PNWER does are instrumental in helping us learn more about the industry,” Ken Dey, director of government and public affairs at Simplot, said. “The economic focus – it’s critical for so many companies. We’re all doing business here, and many of us are doing cross-border business. Relationships are hard to make individually, but programs like these allow you to get those connections, talk to those folks and learn about each other, not only improve your business but improve the relationships among the states and provinces you work in.”​