For Immediate Release
January 16, 2004
Mayor Wayne Dahlen and Councilor Bud Powell were in Juneau, Alaska
this week to meet with Alaskan representatives about the proposed
development of a rail-link between Alaska and British Columbia
and to discuss the upcoming Alaska Highway International Forum
which will be hosted by the City of Dawson Creek on September 29,
2004.
The Mayor advised Alaskan officials and
representatives the Rail Conference that “the International
Forum will provide political leaders, administrative
officials and tourism stakeholders from British Columbia,
Yukon and Alaska with an opportunity to jointly explore
and collaborate on issues regarding the maintenance,
infrastructure for tourism development, preservation
of history, and marketing and promotion of the Alaska
Highway.”
The last time there was a major collaborative
effort to promote the international corridor was in preparation
for the fiftieth anniversary of the Alaska Highway in
1992. The upcoming event will hopefully begin to rekindle
the partnerships, which were established during Rendezvous ’92.
Mayor Dahlen indicated that “We are hoping to sign
a Memorandum of Understanding at the conference that
will solidify a long-term working relationship between
all parties interested in the future of the highway.”
In support of the International Forum,
Mayor Dahlen will be traveling up the Alaska Highway
during early July 2004 to promote the upcoming conference.
Mayor Dahlen is planning on taking time out of his own
personal family vacation to create awareness about the
upcoming conference and to meet with political representatives
who have an interest in the long-term preservation and
economic development of this important north-south transportation
corridor. Mayor Dahlen indicated that “We are inviting
other politicians who would like to join the tour to
do so.”
The International Forum is scheduled to
take place in Dawson Creek, September 29, 2004 and will
be held in conjunction with the Northern Tourism Expo
which is scheduled between Sept. 30 and Oct. 2. The “Expo” will
be a prime networking opportunity for northern tourism
operators and stakeholders. The annual general meetings
of the Northern BC Tourism Association and the Northern
Rockies Tourism Association will also be held as part
of this event.
For further information please contact
the City of Dawson Creek at (250) 784-3616 or April Moi,
Executive Director, Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism
Association (250) 785-2544.
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For more information contact:
April Moi, Executive Director
Northern Rockies Alaska Highway Tourism Association
PO Box 6850, Fort St. John, BC V1J 4J3
(250) 785-2544 Toll Free: 1-888-785-2544
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