CN Forum 2026: Accelerating Innovation through Critical Infrastructure
About this Event
The Michigan State University Canadian Studies Center's CN Forum, supported by an endowment from Canadian National Railway, brings together academic, business, policy, and government leaders to advance shared U.S.–Canada priorities and promote collaborative social and economic growth across the Great Lakes region and beyond.
A full agenda with panelists and speakers is available on the Canadian Studies Center's website.
Agenda
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Coffee and Registration
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Opening Remarks
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Morning Panel: Accelerating a Blue Economy through Critical Infrastructure
Info: Gain a clear understanding of the current and future needs of Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway critical infrastructure, the binational maritime strategies shaping its future, and the collaborative U.S.-Canada efforts driving modernization and economic growth across the region’s waterways.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch and Networking
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Keynote: Economic Engines: Automotive Manufacturing, Trade, & Competitiveness
Info: This keynote will examine the role of automotive manufacturing and trade in driving economic growth and competitiveness across North America. Luisa Fernandez-Willey, Principal Economist at CN, and Dean Foreman, Senior Economist at GM, will offer insights into the industry’s economic impact, evolving trade dynamics, and the factors shaping its future competitiveness.
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Afternoon Panel: Next-Gen Fuels and the Future of Mobility
Info: Understand the evolving landscape of alternative energy infrastructure and next‑generation fuels, including their economic impact on Michigan and the Great Lakes region, and how these developments align with broader mobility strategies to shape a more efficient binational transportation future.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Closing Remarks and Acknowledgments
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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