2003 Annual Meeting of the Great Lakes Commission -- Oct. 1-3, Chicago, Illinois
"Thinking Regionally, Acting Locally!" Ensuring Environmental and Economic Prosperity for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region
Details and online registration at www.glc.org/meeting

Meeting Agenda

You're invited!
For a great time in the Great Lakes region, come join us for the 2003 Annual Meeting of the Great Lakes Commission! We’ll be convening October 1-3 at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Chicago and, in addition to outstanding business sessions, will have an opportunity to enjoy all this city has to offer.

We’re pleased to note that our Illinois Delegation will be joined by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, the Canadian Consulate and the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources in hosting the event. Our theme is "Thinking Regionally, Acting Locally!" Among other issues, we’ll be discussing and advancing the growing role of our mayors and other local leaders in advancing environmental and economic prosperity goals for our binational region. We’ll be joined by policymakers and opinion leaders in addressing the leading issues of our day; issues with implications for the health of our environment, our economy and our quality of life. And, a new meeting format will ensure plenty of time for our members, Observers and other valued partners to share perspectives on the issues as we formulate and advance our research, policy development and advocacy strategies for the year to come.

Formal sessions are a great way to take care of business, but they’re not the only way! On October 1 we’ll be offering a tour of the city to look at shoreline planning projects and cultural amenities, and a golf tournament at Harborside International Golf Course. A championship course run by the Illinois International Port District, Harborside is a facility on reclaimed land that has won numerous environmental awards including the American Association of Environmental Engineers’ national project of the year, and played host to last year’s PGA Senior Open. And, on October 2, we’ll enjoy a reception, dinner and view of Chicago’s famous skyline from the deck of the luxury yacht Odyssey. Come join us!

The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Samuel W. Speck (Ohio), is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials, and governors' appointees from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a "Declaration of Partnership." The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.