{"id":831,"date":"2016-02-10T06:52:46","date_gmt":"2016-02-10T06:52:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niagaraconstructionnews.com\/?p=831"},"modified":"2016-02-10T06:52:56","modified_gmt":"2016-02-10T06:52:56","slug":"buffalo-niagara-partnership-to-host-summit-for-american-and-canadian-business-leaders-on-cross-border-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/niagaraconstructionnews.com\/?p=831","title":{"rendered":"Buffalo Niagara Partnership to host summit for American and Canadian business leaders on cross-border opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership<\/strong><\/a><\/span> has teamed up with Ontario\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d said Gallagher-Cohen. \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keanin Loomis, president and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, echoes Gallagher-Cohen\u2019s sentiments, expressing the likenesses between the two cities and the importance of collaborating to overcome any obstacles that exist.<\/p>\n

\u201cHamilton has such a similar history to Buffalo and we\u2019re so close, that it makes so much sense to talk about shared challenges and opportunities,\u201d said Loomis. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce is eager to support and foster the growth of cross border business in this region,\u201d said Balsom. \u201cThis summit will be a wonderful opportunity for members of these great organizations to learn and network with one another to realize the Mega-Region\u2019s full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Mega Region Event Day Partners include:<\/p>\n