7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.   

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. 

Welcome & Opening Remarks

After a welcome by local leaders such as by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Baja California Governor Jose Guadalupe Osuna Millan, Mexico Ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan will open the conference with an overview of key drivers in North American competitiveness and the significance of trilateral cooperation.

8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

23rd Annual Forum Fronterizo

Transitioning to a Low-Carbon Economy

Panelists invited by the San Diego Dialogue/University of California San Diego will discuss the importance of moving to a low carbon economy.  Panelists will speak about trilateral initiatives and collaborative policies that support technology development and innovation.

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Coffee Break

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

A 21st Century Green Energy Workforce

Discussion will focus on the emerging clean-tech/green-collar needs of the energy industry and how schools, universities, and training centers can develop the appropriate workforce to fulfill those needs.  The panel will cover industry’s workforce requirements, public sector programs and curriculum development as well as identify potential cooperative links in the North American education and training community.  Speakers from industry, universities, community colleges and technical vocational institutions will address industry needs, public sector programs, and curriculum development.

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Break-Out Sessions / Ask the Experts – A Financing Briefing

Representatives from the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration, and respective agencies in Canada and Mexico explain details on newly expanded loan programs.  The three breakout sessions dedicated to each country will highlight case studies in each country that show how companies enhance their competitive advantages by offering attractive financing to international customers.

12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Keynote Luncheon Address by Ministers of Commerce and Economy

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Tijuana Mayor Jorge Ramos will welcome the participants and Canadian Ambassador to the United States Gary Doer will introduce the ministers.  United States Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, Mexico Secretary of Economy Gerardo Ruiz Mateos and Canada Minister of Industry Tony Clement will focus on competitiveness, innovation and education.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Innovative Supply Chains and Improved Capacity

Policy experts, university researchers, and private sector representatives will discuss future trends, emerging technologies, and the role of small and medium-sized businesses in modernizing improvements and increasing operational speed, reliability, and efficiency throughout the supply chain and throughout border operations.  Experts will also discuss the North American supply chain and address capacity concerns of the freight transportation system as well as port of entry infrastructure needs.  Potential speakers will include industry supply chain managers, freight transportation specialists and Department of Homeland Security officials discussing applications of technology and improvements in safety and efficiency.

3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Coffee Break

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Border Efficiency Through Enhanced Infrastructure

Officials will discuss regional and border-wide infrastructure needs, projects, and programs in all three countries that facilitate efficiency and increase trade.

5:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

Closing Remarks

United States Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson will highlight the panel discussions and review actionable next steps.