May 18, 2007

2007 Atlantica Conference … A Must See Event

Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald will use a keynote speech at the 2007 Atlantica Conference to explain why the Atlantic Gateway must be a regional priority for economic development.

The Premier's speech will be one of the highlights of this year's conference which will be held at the World Trade and Convention Center in Halifax June 14th-16th.

Hana Gartner of CBC television's The Fifth Estate will moderate what should prove to be an enlightening and lively debate between proponents and opponents of the Atlantica concept.

Other sessions during the conference will focus on opportunities for energy, tourism and transportation. Those attending will have the chance to hear the views of leaders in these sectors and to ask questions directly.

Atlantica is an economic region encompassing the Atlantic Provinces, the northeastern United States and eastern Quebec. Putting these areas on the international trade map would mean greater access and lower costs for businesses in the region to ship their goods to U.S. and global markets.

A final agenda will be available closer to the event, but the 2007 Atlantica conference will include:

Thursday, June 14th

• Premier MacDonald's address
• Atlantica Discussion and Q& A, moderated by Hana Gartner:

Panelists include:

• Scott Sinclair - Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
• Charles Cirtwell - Acting President Atlantic Institute of Market Studies (AIMS)
• Dr. Stephen Blank - Director of the North American Center for Transborder Studies, Arizona State University, and Adjunct Research Scholar, Centre for Energy, Marine Transportation and Public Policy at Columbia University

Later on Thursday, the incoming Chair of the Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce (APCC), Jonathan Daniels, will give details of how the council will promote Atlantica and work with regulators to identify and address impediments to trade.

Friday, June 15th

Sessions planned for Friday will provide an opportunity for those attending to hear from industry leaders who support Atlantica and what it means for the region, as well as the opportunity for attendees to ask questions directly. The Friday sessions will include:

• Wayne Crawley, Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Development, Emera
• David Hay, President & CEO, New Brunswick Power Corporation
• Ralph Tedesco, President & CEO, Nova Scotia Power Inc.
• Sharon Reishus, Commissioner, Maine Public Utilities Commission
• Charles Demond, President, Atlantic Wind Power Corporation
• Mark MacDonald, President, Bay Ferries Limited
• Dennis Campbell, President, Ambassatours Gray Line
• Stan Pech, Michelin
• Pete Luckett, Pete's Frootique

Friday afternoon the current chair of APCC and president of the Greater Halifax Partnership, Stephen Dempsey, will join the incoming APCC chair, Jonathan Daniels to hear from conference attendees, re-cap the conference journey to date and share their visions of Atlantica.

A gala closing dinner will round off events with the actor and comedian Bill Carr serving as Master of Ceremonies.

For more information about the conference and to register visit: www.atlantica2007.com

Contact information:
AnnMarie Greene
MT&L Public Relations
902-425-1860 ext 234