DIEPPE, N.B. — A senior executive with US Homeland Security, Canada’s former Chief of the Defence Staff and CEOs from road transportation associations from around the world will be among the headline guests of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) when it hosts its International Transportation Summit in Halifax next month.

The event will bring world leaders in trade, transportation and border security to the World Trade and Convention Centre on Oct. 22, for an exchange of information and ideas on the global opportunities and challenges facing the multi-modal transportation sector in the 21st century.

Among the latest additions to the event’s speaking line-up is Paul Morris, executive director for admissibility and passenger programs at the Office of Field Operations for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Morris will deliver a morning presentation on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and the future status of in-transit freight movement in North America.

In his current position, Morris administers passenger-related policy and programs for all land, air, sea, and preclearance ports of entry. He has oversight for several current major initiatives such as WHTI, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, Model Ports, Global Entry, and the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) Quick Query and has full responsibility for all systems, procedures, enforcement actions, and performance measurements related to the processing of international travellers.

Morris joins a growing list of high-profile speakers at APTA’s fall conference. “We are thrilled to have a person of his calibre come to Halifax from Washington, D.C. to address our concerns about US border policy and programs,” said Peter Nelson, executive director of the APTA.

Nelson also confirmed that Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald is scheduled to make appearance at the conference’s opening night reception Oct. 21. In addition, Charles Cirtwill, executive director of the Atlantic Institute of Market Studies and Rob Robichaud, president and CEO of the Greater Moncton International Airport Authority, will anchor a panel discussion on Atlantic Gateway the following afternoon.

It’s part of a full line-up of events Oct. 22, beginning with a presentation by Cianbro CEO Peter Vigue on his proposed billion dollar east-west toll road from Maine to Quebec. Vigue will be followed by Morris and Ray Mawhinney, chair of RBC Asset Management, who will give a timely economic outlook for the transportation sector in 2009.

Maria Luisa O’Connell, president of the Canada-United States-Mexico Border Trade Alliance, will deliver an address at a noon hour luncheon, followed by two afternoon panel discussions on the Atlantic Gateway by Atlantic Canada’s transportation leaders and global challenges and opportunities by the CEOs of road transport associations representing Australia, United Kingdom and the US.

The summit concludes with a dinner featuring General Rick Hillier as the keynote speaker.