New Hampshire-Canada Trade Forum

In a short drive of 200 miles between Sherbrooke, Québec and Concord, NH - the Global economy exists right in our backyard. The Forum will explore economic development and trade between New Hampshire & the Eastern Canadian Provinces, relative to collaborative opportunities in the areas of: Education, Energy, Manufacturing, Public/Private Partnerships and Women’s Entrepreneurship. This conversation between community and business leaders is an essential part of improving relations between our two nations and local economies. Part educational and part networking, this Forum opens the border.

To view highlights (photographs, audio and media reports) of the New Hampshire-Canada Trade Forum which was held on August 13, 2012, click here.

To download the Trade Forum program in PDF file format, click here.

DATE: August 13^th 2012

LOCATION: – Grappone Center & Marriott, Concord, NH
70 Constitution Avenue, Concord NH 03301

13^th Conference Event: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Registration/Reception 8-8:45)

Forum Greetings 8:45a - 8:58a

8:45a - 8:48a Open: Rep. Edmond Gionet, NHCTC Chair: Sets tone of day and thanks sponsors and participating organizations.

8:48a - 8:52a Welcome: Gov. John Lynch

8:52a - 8:55a Hon. Wm. O’Brien. Speaker of the N.H. House

8:55a - 8:58a Hon. Louis D’Allesandro, N.H. Senate

Forum Program 8:58a - 9:00a

Moderator: Mike Nikitas, Anchor and Host of "This Week in Business", of NECN will lead conversational discussions with ample time for questions that build discussion and idea generation. Sets format for day and ground rules for discussions. “This conversation between community and business leaders is an essential part of improving relations between our two nations and our local economies.”

Mike Nikitas anchored NECN's first newscast on March 2nd, 1992, and now anchors the weekday news at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Mike also co-hosts "NECN Business" weeknights at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., plus "This Week in Business" on Sundays. Mike's a New Hampshire native, a UNH graduate, and is married with four children. He's an avid gardener, hiker and curler, and plays catcher on a men's baseball team.

Morning Keynote with Senator Shaheen & Consul General Binns 9:00a - 9:25a Trade Relations, Beyond The Border & the long standing friendship between N.H. & Canada.

9:00a - 9:02a NHCTC Intro: Sen. D’Allesandro Sets Topic & introduces Sen. Shaheen

9:02a - 9:09a Hon. Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. Senator – N.H.

9:09a - 9:10a Sen. D’Allesandro Introduces Consul General Patrick Binns

9:10a - 9:17a Hon. Patrick Binns, Consul General of Canada

9:17a - 9:25a+ Mike Nikitas Moderates Questions

9:28a - 9:30a Mike Nikitas transitions discussion to:

Session 1: 9:30a - 10:15a Public & Private Partnerships: Reigniting the QC Chamber of Commerce MOU with the NH Business & Industry Association of N.H..

9:30a - 9:33a Introduction: Benoit Lamontagne, DRED Sets Topic & asks each for current perspective

9:33a - 9:38a James Roche, President, Business & Industry Association of N.H.

9:38a - 9:43a Michel Lefebvre, Director – Québec Federation of Chambers of Commerce (FCCQ)

9:43a - 9:48a Marie-Claude Francoeur, Québec Delegate

9:48a - 9:53a George Bald, Commissioner – N.H. Dept. of Resources & Economic Development

9:53a - 10:15a Mike Nikitas Moderates Questions & Discussion

BREAK 10:15a - 10:29a

10:29a - 10:30a Mike Nikitas transitions discussion to:

Session 2: 10:30a - 11:15a Industrial Collaborative Opportunities: US & CA industrial oriented companies operating & manufacturing in US.

10:30a - 10:33a NHCTC Intro: Rep. David Knox Sets Topic & asks each for current perspective

10:33a - 10:38a Robert Bouchard, President Rotobec

10:38a - 10:43a Peter W. Brown, Of Counsel PretiFlaherty (presentation can be downloaded here)

10:43a - 10:48a Representative, Advanced Precision

10:48a - 11:20a Mike Nikitas Moderates Questions & Discussion

11:20a - 11:25a Sponsor Message/Mike Nikitas Does Thank You’s

11:25a - 11:30a Mike Nikitas transitions discussion to:

Session 3: 11:30a - 12:15p Small Businesses & Women-Owned Business: The way entrepreneurship opportunities serve as a tool for northern NH and other areas of the State & lower Canada.

11:30a - 11:33a NHCTC Intro: Hon. Ricia McMahon

11:33a - 11:38a Marie Josée Vailliant, CEO, Kheops International

11:38a - 11:43a Marilanne Cooper, Executive Director, WREN

11:43a - 11:48a Ellen S. Kief, Attorney at Law – Immigration Law

11:48a - 12:15p+ Ricia McMahon Moderates Questions & Discussion

BREAK 12:15p - 12:28p (Salad & Dessert plated)

12:28-12:30 Mike Nikitas transitions event to:

Luncheon Keynote & Networking Lunch 12:30p - 1:45p

12:30p - 12:37p NHCTC Intro: Sen. John Gallus (asks Bud to join him)

12:30p - 12:32p Orville B. “Bud” Fitch, State Director for Sen. Kelly Ayotte, reads letter

12:32p - 12:37p Sen. Gallus Intro of John Hallé

12:37p - 12:57p Luncheon Keynote: John Hallé, President and CEO of Cate Street Capital, Inc.

12:57p - 1:07p Mike Nikitas Moderates Questions

1:07p - 1:50p Lunch Served

1:50p - 2:00p Lunch Cleared

1:58p - 2:00p Mike Nikitas transitions event to:

Session 4: 2:00 - 2:45 Educational/Academic: How educational programs and international student exchange impacts and/or enhances our trade and economic development.

2:00p - 2:03p NHCTC Intro: Dr. Tony Cicerone, Professor, Bridgewater State University

2:03p - 2:08p Dr. Thad Guldbrandsen, Professor - Plymouth State University

2:08p - 2:13p Dr. Ross Gittell, Chancellor - Community College System of N.H.

2:13p - 2:18p Dr. Mehdi Farashahi, Professor - John Molson School of Business, Concordia University

2:18p - 2:45p+ Dr. Tony Cicerone Moderates Questions & Discussion

2:50p - 2:58p Sponsor Message/Mike Nikitas Does Thank You’s

2:58p - 3:00p Mike Nikitas transitions discussion to:

Session 5: 3:00p - 3:45p Alternative Energy Development: Quesions answered on how modern energy projects are economic development: Do biofuels & conservation go hand in hand? Can a N.H. energy corridor allow for hydro/gas without affecting tourism? Are wind facilities in N.H. undevelopable land worth investing in?

3:00p – 3:03p NHCTC Intro: Hon. Bill Gardner, N.H. Secretary of State

3:03p – 3:08p Pat McDermott, Sr. Vice President, Public Service Company of New Hampshire

3:08p – 3:13p Gilbert Bennett, Vice President, NALCOR Lower Churchill Project

3:13p – 3:18p Rick Janega, President, Emera Newfoundland and Labrador

3:18p – 3:23p Daniel Whyte, Sr. Vice President, Brookfield Power

3:23p – 3:50p Mike Nikitas Moderates Questions & Discussion

3:58p - 4:00p Mike Nikitas transitions discussion to:

Wrap Up and Analysis 4:00p - 4:30p The Future: How we follow up and continue the discussion in our own specific ways.

4:00p – 4:05p Close - Moderator Mike Nikitas, NECN

4:05p – 4:08p Bob Good, President, NECBC

4:08p – 4:11p Rep. Raymond Gagnon, NHCTC

4:11p – 4:27p Mike Nikitas Moderates Discussion. Wraps event.