Mayor Bowser Joins Capital Region Joint Trade and Diplomatic Mission to Canada

(Washington, DC) – On Monday and Tuesday, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan are participating in a two-day joint trade mission to Toronto, Canada in order to promote tourism, trade, and diplomatic relations with Washington, DC and the greater Capital Region.

“Through this mission, we will be able to work together as a region to promote tourism between the DC region and Canada, expand inclusive innovation, and grow our global investment market,” said Mayor Bowser. “I am honored to represent the nation’s capital where we have a thriving tourism industry and one of the strongest local economies in the United States. As a region, we look forward to ushering in a new era of bilateral cooperation between the United States and Canada.”

The Capital Region delegation will participate in several meetings over the course of the mission, seeking to further tourism and travel connections between Canada and the National Capital Region. The Mayor will also promote Washington, DC’s thriving innovation and technology sectors and real estate development opportunities.

The Mayor and governors will meet with senior government officials, including Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and U.S. Consul General Juan Alsace to promote Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland’s desirable tourism assets as well as the region’s thriving craft beverage and seafood industries.

“Missions like these are a crucial component of our efforts to market our region’s world-class tourist attractions, products, and services,” said Governor McAuliffe. “More than 902,000 Canadians visited the Capital Region in 2015, spending over $384 million – a 21 percent increase from 2013 visitor spending from the country. I am looking forward to this opportunity to work with our regional partners to grow those numbers and bring more jobs and opportunity back to the National Capital Region.”

“Canada is not only the largest trading partner for the Capital Region, but we also share a commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation, and high-growth industries like cybersecurity, life sciences, and aerospace, and defense,” said Governor Hogan. “We are confident this mission will strengthen our regional partnerships and encourage even more trade and investment, as well as spur new opportunities for Canadians to tour the Capital Region.”

In addition to travel business meetings and media interviews, Mayor Bowser, Governor McAuliffe, and Governor Hogan will attend a reception hosted by U.S. Consul General Juan Alsace that will showcase the region’s agriculture, food and beverage assets, and great quality of life to prospective travelers.

The National Capital Region and Canada have a strong and robust partnership, and Canada ranks first among U.S. export destinations. In addition, Canada exports more to Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC combined than it does to Germany, France, or any European Union country, besides the United Kingdom.

In addition to Mayor Bowser, the District’s delegation includes:

• The Honorable Phil Mendelson, Chairman, DC Council
• The Honorable Jack Evans, Ward 2 Councilmember, DC Council
• John Falcicchio, Chief of Staff, Executive Office of the Mayor
• Brian Kenner, Deputy Mayor, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
• Beverly Perry, Special Advisor to the Mayor, Executive Office of the Mayor
• Karima Woods, Director of Business Development and Strategy, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development

Additional members of the District’s delegation from the private and non-profit sectors are:

• Vinoda Basnayake, Of Counsel, Chair of DC Government Relations Practice, Nelson Mullins LLP
• Chuck Bean, Executive Director, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
• Randall Boe, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Monumental Sports & Entertainment
• Pia Carusone, CEO, Republic Restoratives
• Ryan Croft, Cofounder and Chief Operating Officer, Transit Screen
• Jim Dinegar, President and CEO, Greater Washington Board of Trade
• Elliot Ferguson, President and CEO, DestinationDC
• Rob Hawkins, Of Counsel, Nelson Mullins LLP
• Monty Hoffman, President and CEO, PN Hoffman
• Kurt Newman, President & CEO, Children’s National Health System
• Vincent Orange, Sr., President and CEO, DC Chamber of Commerce
• Thorn Pozen, Board Member, Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority
• Warner Sessions, Board Member, Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority
• Mike Williams, Board Chair, Children’s National Health System