Across the world, as well as in Canada, Inland Ports are being developed as an integral component of the national port system.

Global trading patterns continue to evolve through the development of new and innovative strategic transportation infrastructure,  designed to create efficient and cost effective national and international trade corridors.

With seaports growing in size and capacity, an inland port provides an extremely efficient counterbalance that connects the seaport with the inland port through a dedicated rail line and/or road network that carries containers from the ships directly to the inland port to be distributed from that location. Importantly Inland Ports are handlers of bulk commodities both for containerization closer to the source and for the transloading in bulk to better prepare goods prior to reaching the marine terminals for export.

Attendance at this conference is a must in order to understand how Inland Ports create a present and future economic benefit for the community and the province in which the inland port is located.

The Conference will ask the question as to how Western Canadian Inland Ports stack up to those established in Europe and in North and South America.

The Conference will discuss the role of airports as a strategic component of an inland port. We will hear from shippers and transportation service providers, as we develop an action plan for the future expansion of the network of inland ports across Canada.

Hotel reservations can be made at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg, Manitoba at 204-942-8251 or 1-800-665-8088 under the Group Code: 10T8NM.  The Hotel is located at 222 Broadway,  Winnipeg, MB. R3C 0R3.  Please do not book your room online.

View the program:

2016 Canadian Inland Ports Conference Program

Tuesday, September 20, 2016:

7:30 – 8:30 Registration and Breakfast

8:30 – 8:40 Opening Remarks – Van Horne Institute

8:40 – 10:00 Inland Port Development Around the World: Is Canada Far Behind? What Would it Take for Canada to Catch Up?
Inland Ports are cornerstones of local economic growth across Europe, Mexico, and the United States. Our international panel of speakers will discuss the development of inland ports around the globe and compare their progress with Inland Ports in Canada.

• Arenso Bakker, StigConsult, Netherlands
• Tim Feemster, Managing Principal, Foremost Quality Logistics
• Dr. Halia Valladares, Dean, School of Business and Professional Studies, Capilano University
• Iain G Ferguson, Executive Vice President, CBRE Limited

10:00 – 10:30 Coffee Networking Break

10:30 – 12:00 Western Canada’s Inland Ports
While Inland Ports may be seen to have similarities, each Western Canadian inland ports has a distinct competitive edge. This session is designed to demonstrate how each inland port contributes to the Canadian Supply Chain Network.

• CentrePort Canada Inc.
• Global Transportation Hub
• Port Alberta
• Calgary Region Inland Port
• Ashcroft Terminal

12:00 – 1:30Keynote Lunch
We are delighted to have Executive Chairman and CEO of Bison Transport Inc. deliver his perspective on the integral role that Inland Ports play in the Western Canadian economy.

• Don Streuber, Executive Chairman & CEO, Bison Transport Inc.

1:30 – 2:15 Western Canada’s Sea Ports
The relationship between a sea port and an inland port is extremely important. Understand how this relationship is approached by each of Canada’s west coast sea ports.

• Peter Xotta, Vice President, Planning and Operations, Port of Vancouver
• Don Krusel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port of Prince Rupert

2:15 – 2:45 Coffee Networking Break

2:45 – 4:00 Role of Airports as Partners in Inland Ports
While inland ports are served predominantly by surface modes, this session is designed to demonstrate the interactions between inland ports and airports as partners in the local and provincial economies.

• Robert Bachart, Director, Commercial Assets, Winnipeg Airport Authority
• Mark Ruel, Director of Air Service Development and Industry Relations, Calgary Airport Authority
• Norm Richard, Director, Air Service Development (Cargo), Edmonton International Airport

5:00 – 6:00 Reception

Wednesday, September 21, 2016:

8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast

• The Honourable Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of Manitoba

9:00 – 10:15 Creating an Action Plan for the Future of Inland Ports Through Collaboration

• Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor, JOC.com, Journal of Commerce
• Kenneth Hoffman, Shareholder/Director, Dysart Taylor Cotter McMonigle & Montemore
• Esther Nagtegaal, ADM, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Government of Manitoba; Board Member, North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO)
• Christopher (Chris) Lorenc, President, Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA)

10:15 – 10:30 Coffee Networking Break

10:30 – 12:00 Creating an Action Plan for the Future of Inland Ports: A Perspective from Producers, Shippers and Railways

• Tyler Paquin, Vice President – Shared Services, Canada Cartage
• William McKinnon, General Manager—Western Region, DB Schenker
• Colby Tanner, AVP Economic Development, BNSF
• Alan Dewar, Vice President Client Services & Regulatory Affairs, GHY International

12:00—1:30 Keynote Lunch and Conference Wrap-up

• James Auld, Senior Manager, Corporate Development, CN

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Please contact Bryndis Whitson at bwhitson@ucalgary.ca or 403-220-2114 for more information and sponsorship opportunities.

2016 Canadian Inland Port Conference Sponsorship Opportunities

Thank you to our sponsors!

Platinum Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

Bronze Sponsors: