A world first: the Bush and Kennedy dynasties together on stage on the eve of the American election

MONTREAL, Aug. 30, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is pleased to announce that George P. Bush, the nephew of George W. Bush and Deputy Finance Chair of the Republican Party in Texas, along with Joseph P. Kennedy II, nephew of John F. Kennedy and Member of the United States House of Representatives for the past 12 years, will address Montréal's business community at noon on October 11, at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, as part of the Bell International Leaders series.

"Just three weeks before the American presidential election, this is a unique opportunity to learn more about the election's strategic issues in terms of economic relations and trade with our largest trading partner and the impact its outcome could have on our business environment," said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. "For the first time, representatives of the two great American dynasties will take the stage together to comment on the outcome of the upcoming American election, and we are pleased that they have chosen our city to do so."

"Our relationship with the United States is strong, lasting and multi-faceted," said Mr. Leblanc. "In Montréal, over 500,000 jobs depend on trade with the United States. Our city plays an essential role for our neighbours to the south by acting as a hub for trade flow from a number of American states, and, even more markedly, a necessary gateway for foreign trade with the American Midwest. In this era of globalization characterized by change, these economic ties are profitable on either side of the border, so it is important that we understand their dynamic."

"This debate between the heirs to two of the largest political dynasties in the United States will help participants in the event understand the left-right split that divides the American public and the reverberations it can have in Quebec," Mr. Leblanc said. "I hope that business people turn out in force to take advantage of this chance at a front row seat on current affairs."

This Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal event is made possible through the support of Bell and is organized in partnership with RBC, CJAD 800, La Presse and The Gazette. Before George P. Bush and Joseph P. Kennedy II, Mikhail Gorbachev, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, George W. Bush, Alan Greenspan, Sir Richard Branson, Biz Stone, Chris Hughes and Patrick Pichette have all addressed the Board of Trade as part of the Bell International Leaders forum.

For more information about this activity, please visit the Board of Trade website at www.btmm.qc.ca/kennedy_bush. For information and reservations, please call 514 871-4001. Details for the press will be provided a few days before the event.

The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.

SOURCE: BOARD OF TRADE OF METROPOLITAN MONTREAL

For further information:

Source:
Sylvie Paquette
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: [phone], ext. 4015
[e-mail]

For information and reservations: 514 871-4001

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