News

NEW US/CANADA BORDER CONFERENCE

TO ADVANCE “BEYOND THE BORDER” DECLARATION
International Conference Focuses on Trade, Travel, and Border Security

Former Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, W. Ralph Basham Slated to Serve as Chairman of the Advisory Board

Westport, CT (October 15, 2012) – In furtherance to the February 2011 United States-Canada joint declaration, “Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness,” Eagle Eye Expositions, LLC presents a new event called the US/Canada Border Conference. The event is to take place September 10-11, 2013 at the Cobo Center, Detroit Michigan.

The comprehensive two-day conference and exhibition will focus on implementation of the “Beyond the Border” declaration with specific goals outlined in its Action Plan including: Addressing threats early; trade facilitation; economic growth and integrated cross-border law enforcement. “The declaration put into motion a series of very significant bi-lateral initiatives between the United States and Canada,” said Paul Mackler, President & CEO, Eagle Eye Expositions. “Our mission is to facilitate discussion and collaboration at the US/Canada Border Conference, by bringing together federal, state/provincial and local agencies and industry from both nations.”

“More than $2.0 billion of commerce passes through the ports between the U.S. and Canada every day, and the two administrations are committed to making these ports more efficient while increasing security,” adds Mackler. The US/Canada Border Conference will provide a forum for federal, state/provincial and local agencies, and business groups, to discuss a myriad of important topics. The Conference will offer an arena for hundreds of companies with solutions for these government agencies through an expansive exhibition of products and services.

An influential Advisory Board, chaired by former Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, W. Ralph Basham, has been assembled to provide strategic focus to the event. Basham’s tenure as CBP Commissioner, Director of the U.S. Secret Service and his role as Principal for the Command Consulting Group will provide program direction and leadership. “I am pleased to Chair the US/Canada Border Conference Advisory Board with such an esteemed group of colleagues from both the US and Canada”, said Basham “We intend to address the most pressing issues, challenges and opportunities at the US/Canada Border Conference, bringing together thought leaders from both nations to advance the dialogue and their mission.”
 

Basham announced the make-up of the board, citing leaders in all areas of border protection from both the United States and Canada:

 

2013 Advisory Board

W. Ralph Basham Advisory Board Chairman Partner, Command Consulting Group Former Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Former Director, U.S. Secret Service Jayson P. Ahern Principal, The Chertoff Group Former Acting Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Robert C. Bonner Senior Principal, Sentinel HS Group Former Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Former Administrator, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Former U.S. District Judge for California's Central District Ronald S. Colburn Treasurer, The Border Patrol Foundation Former National Deputy Chief, U.S. Border Patrol Charlie T. Deane Police Chief (Retired), Prince William County, VA

Alain Jolicoeur President of AMPRAX, Inc. Former President, Canada Border Services Agency; Chair of the Audit Committee, World Customs Organization; and Chair of the Audit Committee, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Joseph L. Nimmich Raytheon Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard (Retired); Former Director, Joint Interagency Task Force South D. Brian Peterman Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, (Retired) James D. Phillips President & CEO, Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance Richard Vigna Director, San Francisco Office of Field Operations (Retired) U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 

The US/Canada Border Conference is expected to draw attendance from all relevant agencies by bringing officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Canadian Ministry of Safety, Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, United States Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security/ICE, State/Provincial and local police, Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance, and more.

The event’s location in Detroit is ideal to bring these multi-national entities together at the mid-point between the east and west coast ports of entry of both nations. The Cobo Center is situated just blocks from the busiest port of entry for commercial truck traffic between the two nations – the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, and a mile from the Ambassador Bridge and rail ports of entry.

Please go to the US/Canada Border Conference website for more information.

Source: Eagle Eye Expositions, LLC Press Release