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April 14, 2016 @ 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Buffalo Niagara Partnership to host summit for American and Canadian business leaders on cross-border opportunities
Unleashing the Power of the Mega-Region details mega-potential of Buffalo-Toronto corridor and beyond
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Buffalo Niagara Partnership has teamed up with Ontario’s Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce to present Unleashing the Power of the Mega-Region, a unique summit focused on business opportunities on both sides of the border. The afternoon event takes place on Thursday, April 14, 2016, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Niagara Falls, NY. Dottie Gallagher-Cohen, President and CEO of the Partnership says the summit aims to inform, educate and motivate both American and Canadian businesses to explore cross border growth.
“The Mega-Region encompasses a population of over 8 million and generates a GDP of over $400 billion. This single, international marketplace is one of the most powerful economic regions in North America,” said Gallagher-Cohen. “It is for that reason we partnered with our counterparts immediately across the border to develop a program aimed at helping companies tap into that engine to drive business growth and investment on both sides of the border.”
Keanin Loomis, President and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, echoes Gallagher-Cohen’s sentiments, expressing the likenesses between the two cities and the importance of collaborating to overcome any obstacles that exist.
“Hamilton has such a similar history to Buffalo and we’re so close, that it makes so much sense to talk about shared challenges and opportunities,” said Loomis. “I applaud the Partnership for advancing the concept of the Mega-Region and for helping break down the psychological, cultural and economic impediment that the border has become.”
Mishka Balsom, President and CEO of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, believes this event will allow greater collaboration throughout the cross-border business community.
“The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce is eager to support and foster the growth of cross border business in this region,” said Balsom. “This summit will be a wonderful opportunity for members of these great organizations to learn and network with one another to realize the Mega-Region’s full potential.”
Unleashing the Power of the Mega-Region will feature keynote speaker Nadja Piatka, CEO of Nadja Foods, who built her food business on cross-border opportunities. She will share her expertise and explain how she grew her business from a one-hundred-dollar investment in her own kitchen to an international supplier to the food industry with locations in the U.S. and Canada. The afternoon event will also feature facilitated discussions with opportunities for attendees to take part in the creation of a detailed white paper on doing business in the Mega-Region. A coordinated networking hour will follow, enabling companies to interact with other attendees who are interested in growing their business in the bi-national region.
In addition to Gallagher-Cohen, Unleashing the Power of the Mega-Region will include addresses by Loomis and Balsom, as well as Audrey Oswell, Chief Operating Officer of Seneca Gaming Corporation, the title sponsor of the summit. The event sponsor for the occasion is Enabling Ideas and supporting sponsors include Barclay Damon, the Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition (NITTEC) and Sonwil Distribution Center.
Mega Region Event Day Partners Include:
Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition
Infotech WNY
Innovate Niagara
Niagara County Industrial Development Agency
Niagara Region
Small Business Development Center – Niagara
U.S. Department of Commerce
World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara
Tickets to the Unleashing the Power of the Mega-Region business summit are available now for members of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and Greater Niagara and Hamilton Chambers for $50 (US); $75 (US) for non-members. Tickets can be purchased and more information is available online at www.thepartnership.org/events-calendar.
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ABOUT THE BUFFALO NIAGARA PARTNERSHIP
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is the region’s private sector economic development organization and regional chamber of commerce, representing nearly 2,000 members and a quarter of a million employees in the Buffalo Niagara region. The Partnership’s work has three main focuses: advocacy, business development and convening. By mobilizing members and strategic partners around common goals, the Partnership grows private investment and jobs in Buffalo Niagara.
ABOUT THE HAMILTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is its city’s voice of business, representing over 1,000 businesses that employ over 75,000 people in Hamilton, Ontario (pop. 530,000). Celebrating its 171st anniversary in 2016, the Chamber is Hamilton’s first institution and has been the community’s driving force in city-building since its inception. The Chamber is now leading the city’s exciting 21st century renaissance by bringing ambition back to the Ambitious City.
ABOUT THE GREAT NIAGARA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce was formed by a group of business people who decided that a strong, regionally based business organization is needed if we are to address the issues facing businesses in Niagara. With the support of business and community leaders, the Chamber is interested in building bridges between businesses across the region to maximize networks and services, to provide better learning environments and to advocate to all orders of government with one, strong voice for business.