US/Canada Border ConferenceUS/Canada Border Conference set for 12-13 September

Published 15 February 2013

The US/Canada Border Conference, which will meet in Detroit on 12-13 September, is a comprehensive two-day educational program and exhibition which focuses on implementation of the Beyond the Border. An advisory board will direct the development of the educational program, recruiting a slate of speakers to share their knowledge and experience with those tasked with border security. Board members include former U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Canada Border Services Agency, and industry representatives.

On 12-13 September 2013, top officials of border security agencies from the United States, Canada, as well as state, local, and international law enforcement agencies, and industry, will gather at the US/Canada Border Conference in Detroit, Michigan at the Cobo Center to address the challenges posed by the 5,525 miles border between the United States and Canada.

Commonly referred to as “the world’s largest undefended border,” it is now the focus of both the Obama and Harper administrations.

Eagle Eye Expositions, the company that produces the US/Canada Border Conference, announced an alliance of former border protection, law enforcement, and security industry veterans from the United States, Canada, and industry, which makes up the US/Canada Border Conference Advisory Board. The Board will direct the development of the educational program, recruiting a strong slate of speakers to share their knowledge and expertise with those tasked with border security, including those charged with expediting trade and travel at over 327 U.S. ports of entry and fifteen preclearance centers.

Ralph Basham, a partner at Command Consulting Group, and a former commissioner at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, serves as chairman of the US/Canada Border Conference Advisory Board and has assembled a prestigious group of colleagues to join him: Jayson P. Ahern, Principal, The Chertoff Group; Robert C. Bonner, Senior Principal, Sentinel HS Group;  Pierre-Yves Bourduas, President, P-Y Public Safety Management Inc.; Ronald S. Colburn, President, The Border Patrol Foundation; Charlie T. Deane, Police Chief (ret.), Prince William County, VA; Alain Jolicoeur, Principal at Fleury, Bouchard, Jolicoeur and Associates, and President of AMPRAX, Inc.; Michael C. Kostelnik, Major General, USAF, (ret.); Art Morgan, Former Assistant Director, Seattle Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Joseph L. Nimmich, Director of Maritime Surveillance and Security, Raytheon Homeland Security; D. Brian Peterman, Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, (ret.); James D. Phillips, President & CEO, Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance.

The US/Canada Border Conference is a comprehensive two-day educational program and exhibition which focuses on implementation of the Beyond the Border declaration with specific goals outlined in the Action Plan, including: addressing threats early, trade facilitation, economic growth, and integrated cross-border law enforcement.