north american strategy for competitiveness (nasco) - collaborate to compete
DESCRIPTION
Presentation by the North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO) to the Canadian Network of Metropolitan Region's event in Niagra, Ontario. The presentation explains who NASCO is and how they work with North American metropolitan regions on the movement of trade, goods, services and labour force.TRANSCRIPT
NASCO North American Strategy for Competitiveness
What is NASCO?
NASCO is a tri-national coalition of governments,
businesses and educational institutions formed in 1994.
We are driven by a common interest in the competitiveness
of North America by increasing the skilled workforce and
collaborating along freight, energy and trade networks.
What do we do?
We are working passionately to raise awareness
across North America of the critical role that logistics,
freight networks and a skilled workforce play in
economic growth, and to take action to move them
forward.
North America’s Connection Connect. Inform. Involve.
NASCO connects. We connect North America. We
connect people, businesses, ideas, information, efforts and
organizations. We inform and involve. And, if you engage
with NASCO, your people, your businesses, your ideas,
your information, your organizations and your efforts
connect to us and through us. It is a powerful, continental,
information sharing network in multiple layers and
directions. It is a valuable, proven business
development tool.
And it is working.
NASCO Initiatives
Our focus is on solutions in the areas of:
1. Logistics / Freight/ Infrastructure
2. Skilled Workforce Training Programs & Placement
3. Energy & Environment
NASCO Councils
WAYS TO BE INVOLVED
Within NASCO we have the following councils:
Supply Chain Council
Energy Council
Workforce Council
Innovation Council
Education Council
Local Governments Council
Mexico Council
Metro North America Excerpts taken from Global Cities Initiative – “Boosting North American Competitiveness”
Mexico City, Mexico – November 2013
• North America exports together to the rest of the world
• North America is powered by a network of metro economies that
trade together – the trade is based on a network of clusters
• similar politics
• business environment
• cultural affinities
• It is easiest to develop markets with people you already know and
with whom you have relationships
• Have to “melt away” political boundaries
Role of Governments
• Federal • Goods movement / Borders / Infrastructure
• Finalize ongoing trade relationships and agreements
• Coordinated approach to Foreign Direct Investment
• Local • Set a vision – networks of leaders
• Market assessment
• Goods and strategies
• Determine distinct advantages
• Collaborate to Compete
Collaborate to Compete
• What are your strengths? Build to your strengths and/or re-apply
your strengths
• Deal with political realities
– Things are shifting
– It’s not the end of the world
• Identify gaps in the process
• Create opportunities
• Evaluate and re-evaluate
• Leadership
Leadership in Local Government
• Government MUST talk to Industry leaders and Industry leaders
must talk to laborers (lower level).
• City leaders must motivate change! Cities are the drivers of local
and regional economies. The drive of local governments pushes
change.
• Can’t hold the future of our cities and people back waiting for the
federal governments
• Must lead constituents – help educate them on important issues and
necessary actions – even if they are not popular!
Keys to Competitiveness
• Trained workforce
• Efficient and reliable transportation system
• Business climate / politics
NASCO Contact Information
Tiffany Melvin, Executive Director
214-744-1042; [email protected]
Rachel Connell, Director of Membership & Events
214-744-1006; [email protected]
Francisco Martinez, Mexico Representative
011 52 18115555665; [email protected]
901 Main Street, Suite 4400, Dallas, TX 75202
www.nasconetwork.com