Our First Post Pandemic Year
One year ago, the world was emerging from COVID and the Future Borders Coalition was deeply involved in managing the changed and changing dimensions of global travel and trade. People have returned to travel in droves, but it is a different market now. Virtual meetings have cut into business travel but visits to friends and family have surged. Air travel and cruising have come back strong but cross-border day trippers have been slow to return. This lag is due in part to remaining uncertainty about land border procedures which, in turn, hurts the economic recovery of U.S. and Canada border communities and our integrated economies.
Border staffing remains remarkably robust, despite changing patterns of border traffic and geopolitical upheaval. FBC continues to advocate on behalf of border personnel to ensure that they have the hours, equipment, and infrastructure they need to fulfill their missions.
During a period where membership development and organizational consolidation were also top of mind, FBC has supported our industry-government working to deliver solutions on key priorities, including multi-modal travel cooperation, FIFA World Cup Planning, and next steps for trusted trade programs.
During our June AGM we surprised ourselves by how much we’ve achieved in just one year. Some examples of our reach as a voice for better borders include:
1033 newsletter subscribers
761 event and webinar attendees
445 social media followers
191 industry and government working group participants
36 member organizations
25 panel and guest speaking roles
23 media interviews
5 government submissions
4 national OpEds
3 in-person summits and roundtables hosted by FBC
1 congressional testimony
Thanks to all of our members and supporters for your ideas, expertise, and financial support. Without you, we cannot continue this important work. (Read our year-end highlights here.)
FBC Transportation Border Summit
Plan to attend our annual FBC Transportation Border Summit in Washington, DC on October 16 -17. Don’t wait! Discounted early-bird registration ends on September 5th. U.S. and Canadian government employees receive complimentary registration. Please contact sandy.zumbi@futureborderscoalition.org for the discount code or registration assistance.
The Summit is the premier event for the integrated Canada-U.S. travel and supply chains community. It will be attended by more than 140 senior industry and government officials representing all modes of transportation, trade and tourism service providers, industry associations, and think tanks. Keynote speakers and bi-national panels will explore a range of collaborative mechanisms to make the U.S-Canada border more efficient, secure, and resilient. Panel themes include end-to-end passenger journey, supply chain resilience, and the digital border. Find out more here. Agenda updates will be posted on our website.
Details:
October 16, 2023
Sponsors and Speakers’ Dinner
City Club of Washington
555 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
October 17, 2023
Full-Day Summit
Nelson Mullins 2nd Floor Conference Center
101 Constitution Avenue, NW. Washington, D.C., 20001
Working Group Activities
FBC Working Groups are the main tool we use to transform challenges into actionable ideas and industry-vetted recommendations for government. Read our recent meeting notes, outputs, and summaries here:
Notes from our August 2023 Supply Chains Working Group session on Trusted Trade programs to follow.
Outreach and Advocacy
FBC submitted comments on Canada’s proposed customs valuation amendments, emphasizing the importance of minimizing the compliance burden on importers and maintaining alignment with U.S. practices.We also recognize FBC member submissions on Airline Passenger Protection Regulations, including this submission by the National Airlines Council of Canada. Finally, we sent letters of welcome to newly appointed Canadian ministers Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Tourism), Dominic LeBlanc (Public Safety), and Pablo Rodriguez (Transport).
Issues We’re Watching
Climate concerns are affecting all aspects of the trade and travel community. Case in point is the decision to suspend Amtrak service to Montreal after a resumption of just three months. Extreme temperatures meant trains have been ordered to slow down to 10 mph through the Rouse’s Point area, creating possible three-hour delays for passengers on the Adirondack Route. Climate related disruptions to travel and supply chain have become a more frequent (and unwelcome) occurrence. As a result, FBC will be including climate resilience in our 2024 action agenda.
Media
Pacific Northwest news article about the FBC planning meeting for World Cup 2026.
GBTA’s Shane Downey and Laura Dawson talk border travel trends at the Global Business Travel Association Toronto 2023 Conference. VIDEO
Coming Events
Transportation Border Summit, Washington DC, October 16-17, 2023
Economic Security in an Era of Global Disruption, Canada School of Public Service, August 31, 2023
Quebec-US Aluminum Supply Chain Resilience, Thought Leadership Panel at Aluminum USA Conference, Nashville, TN, October 25, 2023
FBC Working Group Meeting, Universal Access for Airline Passengers, Vancouver, BC, December 6, 2023
FBC Community Bulletin Board
We are delighted to welcome two new FBC board members: Amgad Shehata (UPS) and Laurie Trautman (BPRI). We will miss our departing members Beth Burke (Crestview Strategies), John Van Wallaghen (UPS), and Lorrie McKee (GTAA) and thank them for their contribution.
Kudos to Canada for adding 13 countries to the visa-free air travel list. Double kudos for the streamlining the process through digital technology (electronic travel authorization) and recognition of U.S. visas.
Also, If you would like to get on the list to CBSA’s bi-annual Trusted Trader newsletter, send your email address to CBSA.PIPNewsletter-BulletinPEP.ASFC@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.
Big thanks to CBP for continuing to rescue those in peril on our shared waterways during a very busy summer.
Friends of Jim Phillips and CANAMBTA. Remember our departed colleague by contributing to the scholarship fund set up in his honor at Davis & Elkins College Click the link here and please remember to write "James D Phillips Memorial Scholarship" in the webform comments.
Help us build a better border
FBC is committed to building a better border for travel and trade. You can help through expert advice, membership, and financial support. Please take a moment to check that your membership is up to date. And, if you’re still thinking about it, please jump off the fence and make a commitment to our important work. Contact laura.dawson@futureborderscoalition.org for more information.