Focusing on how shipping across the Great Lakes links local economic growth to international markets will be the main topic of the second annual Huron Marine and Economic Forum.
This event is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, from 9 a. m. to 2 p. m. at the Goderich Columbus Convention Centre.
Organized by the Huron Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Goderich Port Management Corporation, this year’s forum will showcase a newly announced panel lineup under the theme, Beyond the Breakwall: Connecting inland economic growth to global trade through the Great Lakes, uniting leaders from Ontario’s marine, transportation, energy, agriculture, trade, and economic development sectors.
The first panel of the forum is called Infrastructure and Corridor Capacity. It will address the essential physical networks needed to efficiently transport goods throughout the region. Moderated by Steve Salmons from Windsor Port Authority, this session includes Captain Satinder Singh from Toronto Port Authority, Neil Johnson from GIO Rail, John Grech from Picton Terminals, and Jason Card from Chamber of Marine Commerce. They will discuss port capacity, rail and road connections, containerization issues, customs processes, and how corridor limitations affect Canadian trade strength.
The second panel is titled Economic Impact and Market Access. This discussion will shift focus inward to cover supply-chain resilience, export possibilities, and regional investments. Dave Shorey of Georgian College will moderate this session featuring Chad Richards from Bruce Power, Darryl Markle from Parrish & Heimbecker, Chris Watson from Huron County Economic Development, and Ashley Kalyn from Peacock Tariff Consulting. The aim is to highlight how industries like food processing, manufacturing, logistics, and energy rely on integrated transportation systems to access both domestic and international markets.
Event organizers stress that this forum highlights a crucial connection between shoreline logistics and local businesses.
“We wanted this year’s forum to really demonstrate that the marine economy doesn’t stop at the shoreline,” said Colin Carmichael, Executive Director of the Huron Chamber of Commerce. “What happens at our ports is directly connected to farms, manufacturers, energy projects, r ail and trucking , local employment , and our ability to reach markets across Canada and around the world. These panels bring together people who can speak to those connections from very different parts of the system.”
Industry leaders emphasize that it’s vital to see marine transportation as part of a larger supply ecosystem.
“The Port of Goderich is an important piece of infrastructure for this region , but it operates as part of a much larger system,” said Frank Hurkmans , President of Goderich Port Management Corporation. “Rail , roads , ports , agriculture , energy, and industry all depend on one another. Bringing these voices together gives us an opportunity to look at wherethe system is working well , where there are constraints, and what we needto do to positionthis regionand Ontario for future growth.”
Alongside these panel discussions, the agenda features a dedicated conversation with representativesfrom provincial government officialsincluding confirmed participationfrom Ontario Ministerof Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson.
“Trade has becomea much more immediate issue for businessesoverthe past year,” Carmichael noted.”We haveoneof themost efficienttransportationsystems inworld sittingonour doorstep. Thereis areal opportunityto thinkmorestrategicallyabout howwe useit , notjustfortraditionalmarineeconomy, butas an economicdevelopment assetfor communitiesand businesses throughouttheregion.”
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