A world-class program that highlights some of the most exciting and innovative activities on the world’s waterways is set to take place September 21 through 25 at the 2025 World Canals Conference (WCC 2025) in Buffalo.
According to World Canals Conference Honorary Co-Chairs Keith Belanger and Anne McCaffrey, “The World Canals Conference provides opportunities to hear from the most forward-thinking experts in canalside development, waterway engineering and management, and canal tourism and preservation. Attendees will be among the industry’s best and brightest and will have a hand in transforming the future of canals.”
Speakers from eight countries – Canada, China, England, France, Germany, India, Scotland, and the United States – will offer presentations and discussions around the renewed interest and ever-growing importance of waterways in our communities. Highlights include:
Richard Millar, Chief Operating Officer, Scottish Canals, discusses “Forging the Future: How Scotland’s canals are being repurposed to support our changing society and environment”;
Haben Girma, Award-winning Advocate, Author, and Speaker on “Canals and Recreation for All”;
Walter T. Mosley, Secretary of the State of New York moderates “Currents of Change: How Historic Waterways Drive Economic Growth”;
Angela Zabojnik from the Office for Urban Green Spaces and Waterways Leipzig discusses “Reshaping Landscapes- Waterways in Transition; along with
Study tours of canal sites and communities from Buffalo to Fairport on the Erie Canal and to Niagara Falls and Canada’s Welland Canal.
The conference will also showcase the departure of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief on its bicentennial voyage on Wednesday, Sept. 24, as well as a free Bicentennial Summer Sendoff public event on Sunday, Sept. 21, from noon to 5 pm at Canalside.
The five-day conference will be held as the historic Erie Canal, now a National Historic Landmark, commemorates its bicentennial.
For more information and to register, visit wcc2025buffalo.com.
Photo: Canalside in Buffalo.
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