Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

SAN ANTONIO - Today, Senator Eliot Shapleigh (D-El Paso), the Border Legislative Conference, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are co-hosting the second annual Americas 2020 International Trade & Transportation Summit at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel in San Antonio.

The Americas 2020 Summit will compromise of International business, government and community leaders to discuss the trade and transportation interests that unite the United States, Mexico and Canada. Speakers will present ways to expand emerging trade corridors, improve mobility and security across international boundaries, and enhance economic development and global competitiveness.

Scheduled speakers include Senator Eliot Shapleigh (D-El Paso), Senator Leticia Van de Putte (D-San Antonio), Nevada State Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki, TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz, West Coast Corridor Coalition Executive Director Jim Gosnell, Ports to Plains Corridor Alliance President Michael Reeves, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, North America Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director Sean Carlos Cazares, Canadian Consulate General Norris Pettis, Multimodal Freight Transportation Assistant Agency Director Stephen S. Roop, and North America Center for Transborder Studies Chairman Raul Rodriguez.

Panel discussions will be held on the following topics:

• Panel I: North America Emerging Corridors
• Panel II: Mobility and Security Across International Borders
• Panel II: Strengthening Economic Competiveness

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 to consider opportunities of an interconnected North America though the implementation of fast, safe and smart strategies.

Immediately following the Americas 2020 Summit, the Council of State Governments–West (CGS–West) will host the XX Border Legislative Conference, a joint program of the CSG–West and the Southern Legislative Conference aimed at enhancing collaboration and communication among state legislators of the U.S. and Mexico.

"In the 21st century, moving people and products faster, smarter, safer will define us as an international port. Ports that do it best will have the best opportunities."

What:  Second Annual Americas 2020 International Trade & Transportation Summit