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AMERICAS 2020 SUMMIT IN AUSTIN TO HIGHLIGHT COMPETITIVENESS OF NORTH AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE 21ST CENTURY
May 21, 2008

The Americas 2020 Summit is aimed at bringing together government and private sector stakeholders from the U.S., Mexico and Canada to discuss and identify solutions to enhance the security and economic competitiveness of North America.

Written by Senator Eliot Shapleigh, www.shapleigh.org

Capitol

AUSTIN –  The Border Legislative Conference and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will co-host the Americas 2020 Summit: Moving People and Products Safer, Faster, Smarter in Austin, Texas on May 22 and 23.  

Senator Eliot Shapleigh (D-El Paso) is the current Chair of the Border Legislative Conference, an organization comprised of legislators from the ten states along the U.S.-Mexico border – including California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the United States, and Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas in Mexico.

The Americas 2020 Summit is aimed at bringing together government and private sector stakeholders from the U.S., Mexico and Canada to discuss and identify solutions to enhance the security and economic competitiveness of North America.

Scheduled speakers include Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, Senator Shapleigh, TxDOT Commissioner Ted Houghton, and representatives of key stakeholders, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Canadian Consulate, TxDOT, Texas Transportation Institute, Ports to Plains Corridor, North America's SuperCorridor Coalition, and USA Logistics Carriers, LLC.  

On Friday, May 23, panel discussions will be held on the following topics:

Panel I:     21st Century Intelligent Border Crossings
Panel II:   North American Infrastructure Competitiveness
Panel II:   Secure Trade and Manufacturing                                 

The summit will provide an opportunity to hear from expert panelists in the areas of border crossings, infrastructure competitiveness, and secure trade & manufacturing.  Moreover, attendees will engage in dynamic breakout sessions designed to promote dialogue and the identification of concrete solutions to establish a sustainable and competitive North America for the 21st Century.  

The summit will be held at the Hilton Austin on 500 E. 4th Street, Austin, Texas.

What:    Americas 2020 Summit: Moving People and Products Safer, Faster, Smarter

When:    Thursday, May 22, 2008 – Welcome Reception

               Friday, May 23, 2008 – Summit Panels, Breakout Session

Where:  Hilton Austin

               500 E. 4th Street

               Austin, Texas  78701

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