We're the hot talk of Edmonton

Making the best use of the Port of Prince Rupert is the hot topic of the day at a Transportation symposium currently under way in Edmonton.

Called the Asia Pacific Shipping Forum, it opened up Tuesday and will continue on through until Thursday, with an ambitious agenda which includes a look at four topical subjects:

Prince Rupert Corridor, Phase 2 and Beyond; Regional Initiatives; Transportation Providers, and,From Raw to Retail: The Importance of Supply-Chain Logistics.

With the introduction of container service from the Port of Prince Rupert into the heartland of America, Containerization and how it will impact trade on the Northwest corridor and all western provinces is one of the key elements of the three day event.

Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond was scheduled to join the mayors of Edmonton and Prince George in opening the event on Tuesday, and they will join some 17 experts on the shipping industry during the course of the symposium.

Hosted by the Edmonton Economic Development Corp. (EEDC), the Alberta Government and the Northwest Corridor Development Corp, the theme of the three days seems to be an awakening to the world the possibility of Edmonton becoming an warehousing and distribution hub for North America.

The Alberta Index provided details on the three day transportation festival and how Alberta hopes to capitalize on the arrival of container service to the North Coast.

CONFERENCE: Edmonton to host Asia-Pacific Shipping Forum November 13 to 15
(AlbertaIndex, November 13, Tuesday)

--- Shipping and transportation experts from across North America will meet in Edmonton November 13-15 to discuss and present trade and business opportunities arising from Asia’s economic boom.

The forum will discuss how Canada’s exporters and importers can use the Asia Pacific Gateway to access Asia via Prince Rupert and Vancouver, and access North American markets through Edmonton. Another focus of discussion will be the many new infrastructure enhancements to Western Canadian air, road, rail and port systems that position Edmonton to become North America’s next major distributing and warehousing hub.

“Global container traffic is forecast to grow by a staggering 186 per cent in the next 20 years,” said Ron Gilbertson, president and CEO of Edmonton Economic Development Corp. “This forum will show Alberta industry how to capitalize on new business opportunities created by recent improvements to key transportation infrastructure on the West Coast— especially the new Port of Prince Rupert container port.”

This first-ever event — to be opened by the mayors of Edmonton, Prince George and Prince Rupert — has attracted 17 industry experts to present at four topical panels: Prince Rupert Corridor, Phase 2 and Beyond; Regional Initiatives; Transportation Providers, and,From Raw to Retail: The Importance of Supply-Chain Logistics.

There will also be special presentations on Asian Export Opportunities, The Picture of Containerization – What is Happening in the World, and, Alberta: New Transportation Opportunities, a final-day presentation by Luke Ouellette, Minister of Infrastructure & Transportation.

The Asia Pacific Shipping Forum is being produced by Edmonton Economic Development Corp. (EEDC), the Alberta Government and the Northwest Corridor Development Corp.