The 2024 Ports-to-Plains Alliance Conference was held September 10th-12th in beautiful Dickinson, North Dakota. Our theme this year was titled “Connecting North America” and with participants coming from eight different states and Canada, that is exactly what we did!
The opening night kicked off with some networking and a wonderful portrayal of Theodore Roosevelt by the very talented Joe Wiegand. The following morning, we got things started with a 9/11 remembrance which was followed by sessions that focused on building for connection in areas such as agriculture, tourism, energy, and funding.
Our keynote speaker, Brent Sanford, Former Lieutenant Governor of the state of North Dakota, inspired us with his address and got us ready for the afternoon sessions which included The Economy of Connections: Trade with Mexico and The Economy of Connections: Trade with Canada. These two sessions were followed by messages from several U.S. Senators sent to us via videos or letters. It was exciting to hear their words of encouragement and support.
The final day of the conference began with partnership updates given by Lauren Garduño, President/CEO of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, Cal Klewin, Executive Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Association, and Deb Cottier, Chair of the Heartland Expressway Association. Their reports were encouraging and their continued dedication and work to the Alliance obvious. Following the partnership updates, we heard more words of encouragement and support, this time from several U.S. House of Representatives. The last session of the conference before closing remarks was a presentation on the remarkable strides being made in the area of future technology. Jeremiah Kuntz, Aurora Innovations, Inc. showed us things on the horizon (but not so distant) in the trucking industry with the use of self-driving trucks.
The conference concluded with a “field-trip” to the historic town of Medora located approximately 35 miles from Dickinson. Those who were able to stay and go with us got to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library construction site and learn about it from Amy McCann, Director of Community Relations, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Participants were also taken to the Chateau de Mores where they learned a little more about the history of Medora.
Connecting North America, the theme of this year’s conference, definitely hit the nail on the head in more ways than one. The exchange of ideas and the forging of new friendships at the conference will help us move forward as we continue to advocate for a stronger, better infrastructure to ensure good things for the future!