Time & Location
Sep 27, 2016, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Gowling WLG Offices, 1600 7 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P, Canada
About the Event
Registration
BUNDLE OPTION - INCLUDES ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP – $125.00
Includes a one year CCA Membership and complementary attendance to this event as a new member.
CCA FUTURE MEMBER – $65.00
REGULAR PRICE
CCA Member – $45.00
CCA Members have a preferential price
GOWLING WLG GUESTS
Limited tickets for this event sponsor. Registration Code is required.
This event only accepts online registrations. Please be sure to complete your registration online.
Registration is closed
THE CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR THE AMERICAS ALBERTA and GOWLING WLG ARE VERY PLEASED TO INVITE YOU TO
CCA ALBERTA QUE PASA SERIES
QUE PASA IN CUBA…WHAT’S GOING ON IN CUBA
Tuesday September 27
3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Offices of Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP
1600, 421 – 7 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Que Pasa in Cuba Invite Last Version.pdf
As the United States government eases its travel and trade restrictions with Cuba and President Obama calls an end to the historic embargo, the time is ripe for Canadian companies to consider both the challenges and opportunities of doing business in Cuba in the wake of momentous change.
In this seminar, you'll hear from a group of experts who will discuss their perspective on the Cuban market, highlight current trade and investment opportunities that exist directly with Cuban companies, and describe how Canadian subsidiaries or affiliates of U.S. companies can best navigate Cuba’s complex business environment (with or without their U.S. counterparts).
A cocktail reception will follow the event.
Programme:
3:00 p.m. – Registration & Networking
3:30 p.m. – Opening Remarks & Presentation
5:00 p.m. – Cocktail Reception & Networking
Speakers:
H.E. JULIO ANTONIO GARMENDIA PEÑA, CUBAN AMBASSADOR TO CANADA
His Excellency Ambassador Julio Antonio Garmendía Peña was appointed as Cuba’s Ambassador to Canada in April 2013. Ambassador Garmendía has a degree in Russian Language, Literature and Translation, 1975, in the Soviet Union. He has a degree in Political Science for the University of Havana in 1980. He has National Defense College studies and other several post graduate studies. He speaks Spanish, Russian and English. Ambassador Garmendía has conducted various official missions in several countries and has received several national and foreign decorations. He is married and has two daughters.
Diplomatic Career
1975-1976: Assistant Specialist at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
1976-1977: Specialist in the Central Committee of the Communist party ok Cuba.
1977-1982: Specialist and Head of Department at the State Committee on Economic Cooperation.
1982-1985: Deputy Economic Counsellor at the Embassy of Cuba in the Soviet Union.
1986-1989: Economic Counsellor at the Embassy of Cuba in the Soviet Union.
1989-1992: Deputy Chief of the Bureau for Cooperation with the USSR in the State Committee on Economic Cooperation.
1993 Master Course at the College of National Defense
1994-1999: Minister Counsellor, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy on Cuba in Russia.
1999-2003: Head of Section at the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba.
2004-2008: Ambassador to Ukraine.
2008-2012: Head of Section at the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba.
Since 2013: Cuba’s Ambassador to Canada.
DR. STEPHEN RANDALL, PROFESSOR EMERITUS UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Dr. Randall will share his perspective on Helms–Burton Act, a United States federal law which strengthens and continues the United States embargo against Cuba. Stephen J. Randall, FRSC, (PhD Toronto 1972), is Professor Emeritus of History and Faculty Professor at the University of Calgary.
He served as Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences (1994-2006); Director of the Institute for United States Policy Research (2006-2009); Director Latin American Research Centre (2010-14). He held previous appointments at McGill University (1974-1989), and the University of Toronto (1971-1974). He is an elected member of the Royal Society of Canada, and a fellow with the Centre for Military Strategic and Security Studies at the University of Calgary. He was a Senior Fellow with the Canadian International Council 2009-2010. He was a member of the editorial board of the Latin American Research Review (2004-2009), and was co-editor of International Journal of the Canadian Institute for International Affairs. He is the author of some 13 books on foreign policy and particularly on Inter-American relations.
A specialist in United States foreign policy and Latin American international relations and politics, he holds the National Order of Merit, Grand Cross (2000), and the Order of San Carlos (2013) from the Presidency of Colombia. In 2012 he received the Lifetime Public Service Award from the Canadian Council for the Americas.
Dr. Randall has served with the United Nations, Organization of American States and Carter Center in international election supervision in the Caribbean, Latin America and Southeast Asia. In 2007 he held the Fulbright Visiting Chair in North American Studies at American University, Washington D.C.
GREGORY BINIOWSKY, GOWLING WLG CONSULTING
Gregory Biniowsky is a Canadian lawyer and political scientist who has been living and working in Cuba for the past 20 years.
Presently, Gregory is Gowling WLG’s “man in Havana” and provides services exclusively to Gowling WLG clients. He has experience in providing strategic advice to companies assessing potential ventures in Cuba, assisting clients in navigating the complexities of the Cuban legal, political and economic systems, and has assisted in the negotiation of investment projects in Cuba on behalf of foreign investors.
Gregory's professional work in Cuba has also included working as a consultant for Canadian and European business ventures, a consultant for the United Nations development program in Cuba, a consultant overseeing development funds of the Canadian International Development Agency, and as a locally based consultant for the Canadian Embassy in Havana.
CURTIS EVERT, VICE PRESIDENT EXPLORATION, SHERRITT INTERNATIONAL
Curtis Evert is Vice President, Exploration for Sherritt International Oil & Gas and Power. Sherritt’s primary area of operation is Cuba where they have been active since 1992. Curtis is also the co-founder and President of the Canadian Global Exploration Forum (www.cgef.org), a not-for-profit society that represents and promotes Canadian petroleum exploration, production and CSR expertise on a worldwide basis.
He graduated with a B.Sc.Advanced in Geological Sciences from the University of Saskatchewan in 1984 and began his career in the oil and gas industry in 1985. He has worked for several companies during the past 31 years, focusing his efforts on petroleum and natural gas exploration and production. His early career was spent working on projects in Canada, including Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland.
During the past 17 years, Curtis has focused on international ventures including projects in Cuba, Spain, Argentina, West and North Africa, Turkey, Pakistan, Brazil, United Kingdom and the South China Sea. Curtis has been involved in Cuban exploration and production for eight of the last eleven years.
SARAH STATA, DIRECTOR SUPPLY CHAIN OIL&GAS AND POWER DIVISIONS, SHERRITT INTERNATIONAL
During her 24 year career with Sherritt, Sarah has held various positions within Supply Chain including logistics administrator, buyer, and procurement manager and has held the role of Director, Supply Chain since 2008. In her current role Sarah is responsible for the leadership and management of all supply chain related functions within Sherritt’s Cuban based operations for the Oil & Gas and Power Generations business units.
Her team of supply chain professionals are accountable for purchasing, logistics, import/export management and inventory management globally. Sarah has built and continues to lead a very unique “Cuba bound’ Supply Chain based on the establishment of solid reliable relationships within Canada and globally throughout Europe, Asia and South America.
Sarah also sits on of the board of directors for the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council and is on the steering committee for the Women in Supply Chain Organization through the Van Horne Institute.
Que Pasa in Cuba is made in collaboration and sponsored by GOWLING WLG