October 2015
AIRFARE ON SALE through Tuesday, October 13!
Book now for low rates on round-trip flights

Canada
$260.70 from Vancouver, B.C.
$238.40 from Calgary
$251.30 from Regina 
$228.20 from 
Saskatoon

U.S.
$443.70 from Seattle
$468.70 from Portland 
(Prices via Priceline.com on October 12.)
Early bird rates extended through Monday, Oct. 19!
Save up to $100 by registering now!
Hotel room block ends October 14!
Receive special PNWER rate by reserving your room now!
Call 1-800-661-0892 and mention you are with PNWER to book within our room block.
AGENDA
The Winter Meeting agenda is updated regularly; check back soon!
The Legislative Leadership Academy will feature in-depth sessions on:
  • Structural differences in U.S. and Canadian governmental systems
  • Roundtable discussion on campaign, election and leadership processes in states and territories
  • Discussion on provincial, territorial, state and federal relations
  • "View from the Speaker's Chair," a comparative look at the role of the Speaker of the House and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
  • How to build on PNWER's past successes for future collaboration (private sector delegates welcome)

The Economic Leadership Forum will hold sessions on: 
  • Arctic Governance
  • Aboriginal Development
  • Market Access and Arctic Transportation Systems
  • Mining 
  • Energy Development in the North & Net-Zero Buildings in the Pacific Northwest

    Legislators will learn about the consensus government system of the Northwest Territories and tour the unique Legislative Assembly building 
     
Yellowknife Mining Tour Now Available
  • Tour runs 8:00 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Nov. 18.
 This half-day tour will start with breakfast accompanied by an overview of the NWT & Nunavut Mining and Exploration Industry by Tom Hoefer, Executive Director of the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines. Pamela Strand, director of the Mineral Resource Division of the GNWT will be your guide throughout the day.
 
  This will be followed by a surface tour by bus that will highlight both Yellowknife's gold history as well as our active diamond mining industry. Stops will include: 
  • The NWT Diamond Centre, where you will hear about the stories of Diavik, Ekati and the Snap Lake Mine located 300 kilometers north of Yellowknife. See the story told in an interpretive exhibit that showcases the fascinating geology of kimberlite deposits, the technology of mining in the sub-arctic, and the process to turn a rough stone in a beautiful diamond. Visitors to the centre may purchase diamonds that have been mined, cut and polished in the NWT.
  • Your bus will then take you to see the Robertson Headframe at the past producing Con Mine, currently closed and undergoing reclamation by Newmont Mining. The NWT Mining Heritage Society will be present to present the facts from our rich mineral history.
  • You will then travel to the Giant Mine Remediation Project,
    Visit the Giant Mine Remediation Project, a joint project to clean and stabilize the site.
    a joint project to clean up the surface, stabilize and secure the underground and maintain and monitor the site for the future. Between 1948 and 2004, the Giant Mine was a major economic driver for Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. When the mine closed, attention focused on the environmental issues left behind.
    The remediation project proposes to leave a new and positive legacy: a site that will provide an opportunity for many future uses by the community, as determined by the community. This project is state of the art and innovative. Members of the project team will be present to provide an overview and answer questions.
  • Lastly we will take you on an aerial tour of Yellowknife in a Twin Otter aircraft.
POLICY TOURS & ACTIVITIES

PNWER's Winter Meeting will show guests a variety of memorable activities and venues. 
Plan a longer stay to explore Yellowknife's local cuisine and cultural experiences, or use it as a jumping-off point for Northern adventures. 

On PNWER's Itinerary 
Sunday Nov. 15
Tour the Legislative Assembly Building (Legislative Leadership Academy) 
See the NWT's unique consensus government in action with a tour from Hon. David Ramsay, Minister of Justice and Industry, Tourism and Investment, and Tim Mercer, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. Public tours of the building are available for non-legislative guests.

Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Learn about the human and natural history of the Northwest Territories at the Pricnce of Wales Horthern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife. The museum holds in trust a large collection of objects that represent the peoples and cultures of the territory and produces exhibitions that tell stories about the land, people and history of the NWT.
Learn more at www.pwnhc.ca/
 
Monday Nov. 16
Dog Sledding
 
Dash through the snowy trails around Grace Lake on an exciting but cozy ride. Meet the dogs, take pictures, and most importantly, have fun! Parkas, boots and mitts will all be provided.

Yellowknife Sights and History Tour 
Local experts take guests on a tour of the city and learn how this historical gold-mining town transformed into the diamond capitol it is today. See local art and learn about the history and culture of the people that make this area unique. 
 
Northwest Territories Welcome Reception
Join us for a special reception at the Northern Explorer Hotel  featuring traditional Northern cuisine and music. 

Tuesday, Nov. 17
Aurora Village Dinner and Reception
Enjoy dinner, watch for the majestic Northern Lights and mingle with legislators and business leaders at  Aurora Village in Yellowknife. The reception will also feature a graduation ceremony for attendees of the Legislative Leadership Academy. 
 
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Mining policy tour 
See the interactive exhibits at the NWT Diamond Centre, visit the past-producing Con Mine and Giant Mine Remediation site, and experience an exciting aerial tour of Yellowknife.
 
More to See and Do
Explore other sight-seeing, cultural and adventure activities in the Northwest Territories at spectacularnwt.com and  www.visityellowknife.com. 
Guided outdoor and historical tours are available at  experienceyellowknife.com
Make your own souvenir from recycled glass at Old Town Glassworks.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Explorer Hotel
ACCOMMODATIONS
We will be staying and meeting at The Explorer Hotel. Located on a high point in downtown Yellowknife, the Explorer's spacious guest rooms offer spectacular panoramic views of Niven Lake and Back Bay to the north and Frame Lake and the Legislative Assembly to the south.

Secure your room for the event by calling 1-800-661-0892 and mention you are with PNWER to book within our room block. The room block expires October 14, so please reserve your room before then. 

YELLOWKNIFE FLIGHTS & AIRLINES
Daily scheduled airline flights serve Yellowknife and connect to all major Canadian and many U.S. cities.  When you arrive at the Yellowknife Airport, look for the free shuttle service van to The Explorer Hotel.

For more information on flights to and from Yellowknife, please refer to the  Yellowknife Airport for flight arrival and departure information.
 Thank you to our early 2015 Winter Meeting Sponsors
 
Sponsorship opportunities still available for the 2015 Winter Meeting. Please visit our sponsorship webpage for more information!

Stay Connected with us in 2015!
2200 Alaskan Way Ste. 460 | Seattle, WA 98121 | (206) 443-7723