U.S/Canada Border ConferenceSenior U.S., Canadian government officials to gather at US/Canada Border Conference

For two days on 12-13 September, Detroit’s renovated Cobo Center will be host to a gathering of U.S. and Canadian border security officials and industry professionals meeting to discuss a myriad of important issues relating to border protection and facilitation of legitimate trade and travel between the United States and Canada.

On 4 February 2011, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper announced the United States-Canada joint declaration, Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. Beyond the Border articulates a shared approach to security in which both countries work together to address threats within, at, and away from our borders, while expediting lawful trade and travel.

“The US/Canada Border Conference was developed with one goal in mind - to advance the Beyond the Border Action Plan,” says Paul Mackler, president and CEO of Eagle Eye Expositions, producers of the US/Canada Border Conference. “We worked closely with our distinguished advisory board on this program, and we are so pleased and honored to have such a prominent group of speakers and panelists from so many federal and local law enforcement agencies from both the U.S. and Canada come together to help achieve this objective.”

Former commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and previous director of the United States Secret Service, W. Ralph Basham, chairs the US/Canada Border Conference Advisory Board.

“I am pleased to Chair the US/Canada Border Conference Advisory Board with such an esteemed group of colleagues from both the US and Canada”, said Basham “We intend to address the most pressing issues, challenges and opportunities at the US/Canada Border Conference, bringing together thought leaders from both nations to advance the dialogue and their mission.”

On Thursday, 12 September, Mike Cabana, deputy commissioner, Federal Policing, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) kicks off the program with his Keynote Address. Caroline Xavier, director general, Beyond the Border Governance and Implementation Coordination, Canada Border Services Agency, is that day’s Luncheon Keynote speaker.

Also on Thursday, leaders from CBP’s Office of Field Operations, RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police, U.S. Coast Guard, Air National Guard, and CBP’s Office of Air and Marine will present sessions on Intelligence Sharing & Cross-Border Policing and Applying Manned and Unmanned Aviation Technologies. Focusing on legitimate cross-border trade, James Phillips, president of the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance will address the audience in his session on the critical must haves of the Beyond the Border strategy.

On Friday, 13 September, Thomas S. Winkowski, acting commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) kicks off the program with his keynote address. Representative Candice S. Miller (MI-10) is another of the keynote speakers that day at the US/Canada Border Conference. Rep. Miller serves as vice chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security and chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.

“Border security is an important issue for both the United States and Canada and it is vital we continually work hand-in-hand to keep our nations safe. Together, we must meet the challenge of securing our borders while keeping commerce and passengers flowing expediently which is so vital to both our economies,” Representative Miller said. “Canada is our closest ally, neighbor, friend and biggest trading partner — I look forward to addressing this important conference and the continued collaboration between our two nations.”

The Friday afternoon keynote speakers include Alan Bersin, assistant secretary for international affairs and chief diplomatic officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and David Moloney, senior advisor, Border Action Plan Implementation, Privy Office, Canada, who will discuss trade and commerce initiatives critical to both the U.S. and Canadian economies.

The organizers note that on Thursday and Friday, more than 35 companies displaying the latest products, technologies, and solutions to help advance the mission, will be available to demonstrate their products. On display are some products and services being introduced to law enforcement for the very first time. The Exhibit Hall is open 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on 12 September and 12:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on 13 September, and admission is free to local, state, provincial, and federal law enforcement and government officials. The Exhibit Hall is not open to the public, and official credentials/photo ID is required to gain access.

To learn more about the program, speakers and exhibition, visit the event’s Web site.

Eagle Eye Expositions  also produces the 8th Annual Border Security Expo, 18-19 March 2014, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Arizona, and the Global Summit on Borders,13-14 May 2014, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C. For more information, visit Eagle Eye Expos.