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"Trade, Transportation and Security: Doing Business in Uncertain Times"
Co-chaired by Senator Patty Murray and
Senator Maria Cantwell
Bell Harbor International Conference Center
July 2, 2002 8:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Sponsors
Agenda

Senator Murray's opening remarks
Elway instant polling results (.pdf file)
Conference photos

Overview
Across Washington State, transportation issues and security measures are having a powerful impact on business owners, workers, farmers, and the overall health of our economy. The July 2002 WCIT trade conference is designed to help participants better understand those impacts and participate in a review of some of the solutions currently on offer.

The format provides maximum interaction with the Senators and other experts. Senator Patty Murray will lead the panel "Transportation: Freight, Jobs and Gridlock" and Senator Maria Cantwell will lead the panel "Security: Doing Business on High Alert." They will each be joined by three other experts who will present their own perspectives. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in instant electronic polling through Elway Research. The keynote speaker is Carl Donaway, CEO of Airborne Express, who will tie the themes together in his luncheon remarks.

Transportation: Freight, Jobs, and Gridlock
High commuter volumes, parking, and gridlock are only some of the transportation woes of the Puget Sound region. Even more disturbing is the trade and business picture. Over 60% of Washington's port business is discretionary. Congestion and bad roads are estimated to cost the state's economy $2 billion a year in lost efficiency. And what business can thrive if it can't efficiently move its products to market? If goods don't move, jobs go away.

This panel will focus on various means and impacts of improving transportation in our region and state as well as the pitfalls of not taking corrective action.

Security: Doing Business on High Alert
Since 9/11 security has taken center stage as a modern-day ill as well as a defining paradigm for the future. This is a new era for business. How can we implement appropriate levels of security without constricting a globally increasing commerce? To keep our state's economy vibrant business, government, and the public sector are seeking new ways to maximize both trade flows and public safety. Solutions must balance two potentially conflicting agendas.

This panel will look at some of the proposed solutions and consider their impacts and validity from a business perspective.