Speakers

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Conference Keynote — Opposites Should Attract: Air Travel in Multi-Modal Systems: Dr. Mario Iacobacci

Director of Economics, AECOM

Dr. Iacobacci is a leading economist covering transportation and other infrastructure. He has over 20 years experience in economic analysis and business strategy, working at board and senior executive levels for corporate and public sector clients in North America and Europe. He recently joined AECOM from the Conference Board of Canada (CBOC) where he was the Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Policy.

He has extensive experience in economic impact studies, cost-benefit analysis and transaction-related advisory services. Within several roles he has worked to bring together private and public sector leaders to address key issues in the development, maintenance and efficient operation of transportation networks. Recent projects have included analyses of public-private partnerships for infrastructure investments, a review of effective practices for municipal investments in water and wastewater infrastructure and a comparison of productivity performance across transportation modes and identification of performance drivers.

Dr. Iaccobacci has worked on over 15 major infrastructure deals in the rail, public transit and airport sectors, including franchise bids and cross-border leveraged leases. He holds a PhD in economics from Cambridge University and has published and presented extensively on transportation and infrastructure policy matters.

He joins Altitudes East 2011 as conference keynote speaker, utilizing his experience to present about Air Travel in Multi-Modal Systems. He will set the tone for a truly integrated, truly collaborative conference experience.

Lunenburg UNESCO Experience — Reception Speaker: The Honourable Keith Ashfield

Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway

Mr. Ashfield started out studying business administration at the University of New Brunswick where he built the framework for a successful career in business and politics. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008 and was re-elected in 2011. In 2008 he served as Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and in 2010, as Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.

Prior to his election, Mr. Ashfield served in the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly. From 1999 to 2003, he served as Deputy Speaker of the Legislature and as provincial Minister of Natural Resources from 2003 to 2006. Aside from his political career, Mr. Ashfield has operated his own business and held senior positions in other local companies. He was also active in local and national school associations.

Luncheon Keynote - Passenger Experiences: Shashank Nigam

Airline Brand Marketing Specialist, SimpliFlying

Shashank Nigam is a globally sought-after consultant, speaker and thought leader on airline branding and customer engagement strategy. He is CEO of SimpliFlying, the leading strategy firm that enables airlines and airports to drive key business goals through superior customer engagement. SimpliFlying.com is one of the Top 2 blogs on aviation, and their Twitter handle (@simpliflying) is one of the Top 5 most influential on airlines.

Nigam is also the youngest winner of the Global Brand Leadership Award and has addressed senior aviation executives globally, from Chile to Canada and from Sydney to San Francisco. Nigam's impassioned, straight-shooting and honest perspectives have found their way to major media outlets, including CNN Travel, CNBC, MSNBC, Bloomberg UTV, NDTV Profit, Mashable and in leading publications like Airline Business, ATW, The Straits Times, Aviation Week, DARE, The Indian Express, and others.

Nigam studied Information Systems Management and Business Management at Singapore Management University and Carnegie Mellon University. Hailing from India, he splits his time between Singapore and Vancouver, among other cities. Contact him via e-mail (shashank@simpliflying), Twitter (@simpliflying) or just Google him.

The Future of Air Cargo Panel: Shari Currie

Director of Air Cargo Security, Transport Canada

Ms. Currie leads the design of an enhanced Canadian Air Cargo Security Program. With more than 18 years experience in the not-for-profit sector and the public service, Ms. Currie has focused her career on program development and evaluation. Working primarily in South East Asia, Africa and Central Europe, Ms Currie designed and evaluated democratic development programs and training activities for elected officials and parliamentary staff followed by three years as the Executive Director of the Centre for Legislative Exchange developing educational events, activities and opportunities for consultations amongst elected and senior government officials.

Ms. Currie has worked at National Defence, Public Safety Canada and the Treasury Board Secretariat in the areas of communications and public relations, emergency management and regional operations. She brings her unique perspectives to "The Future of Air Cargo" panel at Altitudes East.

Susan Grant

Regional GM — Passenger Sales Atlantic Canada

Susan Grant has been in the airline industry for over 20 years, starting her career in the Commercial Department at Air Nova in 1990 before moving to Air Canada in 2002. She has held positions in Revenue Management, International Network Planning, Domestic Partnerships and most recently in Passenger Sales.

Her current responsibilities are to manage and grow over $50M in revenue from Travel Agency and Corporate clients.

She joins us at Altitudes East to speak about Air Canada and its strategy of building on the Air Canada Brand and Global Networks.

The Future of Air Cargo Panel: Geoff Irvine

Executive Director, Lobster Council of Canada

Geoff moved East from Quebec at the age of two and grew up in the village of Smith's Cove on the shores of the Annapolis Basin in Digby County, Nova Scotia. Since studying History and Political Science at Acadia University, Geoff has enjoyed a 15 year career in the seafood industry (with a four year sabbatical leave in university education advancement!)

He has extensive experience with live, raw, salted and frozen seafood products in retail, raw material inspections, sales, marketing, international trading, event, project and business management.

He was Managing Director and partner in Harbour View Seafoods Ltd. from 1998 to 2006, and has developed his knowledge of the business in large and small company settings. He brings his extensive knowledge and experience to the Altitudes East "Future of Air Cargo" Panel.

The Future of Air Cargo Panel: Robert Andriulaitis

Vice President of Transportation & Logistics Studies, InterVISTAS Consulting Inc.

As Vice President, Transportation & Logistics Studies with InterVISTAS, Robert Andriulaitis is responsible for management of studies and services in the areas of transportation policy, cargo economics and marketing, foreign trade zone development, cargo and business logistics.

Mr. Andriulaitis has 20 years experience in transportation, including senior policy advisory positions with the governments of Manitoba and Alberta where he was responsible for research initiatives and the development of government positions on issues such as airline ownership restrictions, federal and provincial airport devolution, airline mergers and acquisitions, and international air policy. He also served as Director, International and Regulatory Affairs for Winnport Air Cargo, successfully assisting the start-up of a new Canadian international all-cargo carrier.

Mr. Andriulaitis joins us at Altitudes East in September as part of "The Future of Air Cargo" panel on September 28, 2011. There he will bring his extensive experience to the discussion about future cargo demand and how it fits into multi-modal transportation models.

Emerging Asian Tourism Panel: Paul Hawes

Marketing Officer, Emerging Markets for the Canadian Tourism Commission

Paul Hawes is Marketing Officer, Emerging Markets for the Canadian Tourism Commission which is Canada's National Tourism Organization. The CTC is an industry leader and has been recognized as 'Marketer of the Year' and other renowned achievements.

Paul lives in Vancouver and has more than 17 years of sales, marketing and expertise in global brand management, tourism and hospitality management. Paul is a seasoned industry professional having worked with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Travel Alberta and has spent the last 3 and a half years with the CTC leading award-winning marketing campaigns in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, South Korea and Japan. He brings his extensive experience and CTC insights to Altitudes East's "Emerging Asian Tourism" panel!

Keynote Speaker: Environmental Innovations: Peter Corbyn

Co-Founder, GreenNexxus

Over the past few years, the trend of going 'green' has expanded worldwide. Peter Corbyn has played a large part in the 'green movement' within the airline industry. He was a founding board member of the Climate Project Canada, which is a member of the global non-profit organization launched by Al Gore in 2006. This initiative trains people around the world to present a live version of the slide show featured in the movie An Inconvenient Truth. Peter is now the special advisor for the Climate Project Canada. He has given well over 150 presentations since the early '90s, including his version of An Inconvenient Truth 65 times for over 12,000 people. He is also the chief architect of the calculator used in the Cisco and CBC campaign — One Million Acts of Green.

The Future of Air Cargo Panel: Mike Wolthers

Regional Manager Atlantic Canada, Kintetsu World Express

Mike Wolthers has spent 26 years in the airline air cargo industry. He began his career with Eastern Provincial Airlines then changed to Canadian Airlines. Mike retired from the industry in May 2001. After retiring, he joined KWE in Halifax as a sales manager and was promoted to Terminal manager within a year, where he has been growing the business ever since. KWE is the largest air freight client in Atlantic Canada for both Air Canada and West Jet. They also work with FedEx, Purolator and Cargo Jet. They seasonally partner with Icelandair and Condor as their largest shipper.

Blair Miller

Nav Canada

Blair Miller has been involved in aviation since 1986. First as a private pilot, then as an operational Air traffic Controller from 1989 until 2005. In February of 2005 he became manger of the Halifax Control Tower and in 2006 assumed the responsibility for the Halifax FIC as well.

NAV CANADA co-ordinates the safe and efficient movement of aircraft in Canadian domestic airspace and international airspace assigned to Canadian control. Through its coast to coast to coast operations, NAV CANADA provides air traffic control, flight information, weather briefings, aeronautical information, airport advisory services, and electronic aids to navigation. Blair brings his insights to Altitudes East on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011.