PORTAGE, Ind., May 1, 2026 – On Thursday, April 23, the Northwest Indiana Forum and Ports of Indiana welcomed an international delegation representing 10 countries and provinces to the Ports of Indiana – Burns Harbor, highlighting the region’s growing role in global trade, logistics, and industrial development.

The visit was conducted in partnership with the Chicago International Trade Commissioners’ Association (CITCA) and the Québec Government Office in Chicago. Delegates participated in a guided tour of the port, gaining firsthand insight into its scale, multimodal connectivity, and economic impact.

The program began with welcome remarks from Port Director Ryan McCoy, followed by a comprehensive tour of the Burns Harbor facility. The agenda continued with a series of presentations highlighting Northwest Indiana’s competitive advantages and strategic priorities. Heather Ennis, President & CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum, provided an overview of the region’s economic landscape, with emphasis on emerging initiatives in quantum computing, defense, and data center development.

Additional presentations underscored the region’s integrated approach to global competitiveness. Dan Vicari, Executive Director of the Gary/Chicago International Airport, highlighted the airport’s international access and foreign trade zone capabilities. Lisa Daugherty, President & CEO of the Center of Workforce Innovations, shared insights on workforce development efforts designed to meet the needs of a growing economy. Dexter Salenda, Foreign Trade and Economic Development Director for the Ports of Indiana, presented on emerging shipping container initiatives that further strengthen the region’s logistics infrastructure.

“Québec is Indiana’s second largest Canadian trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling $3.1 billion USD,” said Jean François Hould, Chief Representative for the Government of Québec in the Midwest. “Northwest Indiana is strategically positioned within North American trade corridors, as the Ports of Indiana Container Project and the Gary Chicago International Airport expansion align with major logistics investments in Montréal and Québec City, strengthening globally competitive cross-border supply chains.”

Together, the tour and presentations reinforced Northwest Indiana’s position as a logistics and industrial hub—strategically investing in infrastructure and talent to compete on a global stage. Notably, the Ports of Indiana – Burns Harbor provides direct access from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, offering global reach from the heart of the Midwest.

For more information about Northwest Indiana’s economic development initiatives, visit the Northwest Indiana Forum at www.nwiforum.org. To learn more about the Chicago International Trade Commissioners’ Association, visit www.citca.org. To learn more about the Ports of Indiana, visit www.portsofindiana.com.

About the Northwest Indiana Forum
The Northwest Indiana Forum is the regional economic development organization dedicated to business development, capital investment and strategic economic growth in harmony with the environment. With more than 170 investor organizations, the Forum is the voice of Northwest Indiana business, markets Northwest Indiana as the place to do business, and stakes out and drives bold initiatives. Funded by investor contributions and grants, an investment in the Northwest Indiana Forum translates to a direct investment in the 7-county region to support growth and economic innovation.

Contact: Olivia Allen, Membership and Marketing Events Director, oallen@nwiforum.org