February 23, 2005 for immediate release

The Northern Economics Students Society (NESS) of the University of Northern British Columbia will be hosting a symposium next week on theeconomic impacts of the Prince Georgeairport expansion.

“Our annual symposium provides an opportunity for studentsand others to hear from speakers who are applying their knowledge of economicsto local issues,” says Neda Brkich, NESS President and a 4th year student inPolitical Science and International Studies, minoring in Economics. “Last year,we examined the potential economic impacts of the 2010 Olympics andParalympics. This year, we’ll be talking about whether Prince George is poised to “take off” withthe airport. Our keynote speaker will be Michael Tretheway, a national experton transportation economics.”

The symposium will be held on Wednesday, March 2 in theBentley Centre. The schedule follows:

1:30pm Welcome by Neda Brkich

1:35 Greetings from Jim Randall, UNBC Dean of Arts, Socialand Health Sciences

1:45 Mayor Colin Kinsley

1:55 Jim Blake, Chair of the Prince George AirportAuthority

2:20 Stieg Hoeg, General Manager of the Prince George Airport

2:45 Michael Tretheway of InterVISTAS Consulting Inc. onwhat Prince Georgecan expect from the Airport expansion

3:45 Kathy Scouten, Initiatives Prince George

 The symposium is open to the public.