Canadian American Business Council Announces Featured Speakers For The 18th Annual Policy Forum & Business Achievement Award Luncheon

** Prime Minister Harper to speak **

OTTAWA, Ontario, Nov. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian American Business Council (CABC) announced its speaker and presenter lineup for its 18^th Annual Policy Forum & Business Achievement Award luncheon. Joining the CABC in Ottawa will be Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and influential policymakers and thought leaders who will discuss what is next for the Canada/U.S. business community following the 2012 U.S. Presidential Elections.

"For the last 18 years, the Policy Forum has represented an invaluable opportunity for Canadian and U.S. leaders to address the most pressing issues facing our economies," said Emma Rigby, Executive Director of the CABC. "This year we have worked hard to continue our efforts in driving awareness for how the relationship between the U.S. and Canada is a global model for success. The Policy Forum, we believe, will be a historic milestone, particularly as we look to discuss key issues such as economic competitiveness, business partnerships and the Beyond the Border and Regulatory Cooperation Council Initiatives. Monday's discussions will provide an opportunity to continue moving the relationship forward, and we are thrilled to be joined by such a fantastic group of leaders."

The Policy Forum's prominent list of speakers includes:

• Bruce March, Chairman, President and CEO, Imperial Oil Ltd.
• Nancy Gibbs, Editor-at-Large, TIME Magazine, and best-selling author of "The Presidents Club"
• The Honourable Gary Doer, Canadian Ambassador to the U.S.
• The Honourable David Jacobson, U.S. Ambassador to Canada
• Derek Burleton, Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist, TD Bank Group
• The Honourable Jim Prentice, P.C., Q.C., Senior Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman, CIBC
• Penny Lee, Democratic Strategist, President, Venn Strategies
• Aaron Leibowitz, GOP Strategist, Principal, Targeted Creative Communications
• David Moloney, Senior Advisor to the Privy Council
• Jeff Weiss, Associate Administrator, Office of Management and Budget, The White House
• Bradd Skinner, Department of Homeland Security Attaché, U.S. Embassy, Ottawa

This year also marks the 25^th anniversary of the CABC. The organization has worked with leaders from the private and public sectors of Canada and the United States to shape policy, drive cooperation and educate citizens about the important relationships these two countries share.

About the Canadian American Business Council

The CABC is the voice of business in the world's most prosperous relationship. Established in 1987 in Washington, D.C., the Council is a non-profit, non-partisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to elevating the private sector perspective on issues that affect our two nations. Our members are key business leaders and stakeholders from both sides of the border. The Council's activities include high-level briefings on issues of current concern, assistance with practical trade and policy challenges, significant networking opportunities, and informative seminars.

The CABC Board roster is represented by the American Apparel and Footwear Association, Air Canada, Associated Equipment Distributors, Baxter, Bombardier, Borden Ladner Gervais, Campbell Soup Company, Canadian National Railway, Coca-Cola, Deloitte, Dickstein Shapiro, ExxonMobil, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, MTS Allstream, Ontario Media Development Corporation, Research In Motion, Revolution Organics, Shell, Spectra Energy, Sutherland, Target, TransCanada, United Technologies and UPS.

For more information about the CABC and membership contact:
Emma Rigby, Executive Director, CABC: 202 496 7906; [e-mail]; www.canambusco.org

For media inquiries:
Kent Hovey-Smith, FTI Consulting; 647 400 7397; [email protected]

SOURCE: Canadian American Business Council

http://www.canambusco.org