WILLISTON – Williston will be the site of the annual Ports-to-Plains Conference set for Oct. 15-17.

Agenda highlights include a panel exploring the status of freight in the Ports-to-Plains Region for permitting and new technology; a panel discussing the connection between the transportation system and energy production; Jack Schenendorf, federal consultant with Covington & Burling law firm, on progressing through transportation reauthorization; and Sen. Brad Bekkedahl, R-Williston, who is a Ports-to-Plains board member, on progress with a wide perspective.

The conference begins with a reception Tuesday evening at the Four Points by Sheraton. Wednesday and Thursday events include presentations, a bus tour to Watford City and Theodore Roosevelt National Park and evening events at Black Magic Harley Davidson in Williston and Rough Rider Center in Watford City.

The alliance, based in Lubbock, Texas, is a non-profit, bipartisan, advocacy group led by mayors, council persons and other local elected leaders, economic development officials, business and other opinion leaders from nine states (Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming) Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada and a developing corridor connecting central Mexico. Its membership includes mayors, council members and other local elected leaders, economic development officials, business and other leaders from nine states and two provinces, according to the alliance’s website.