A day-long business forum aimed at strengthening ties between New Hampshire and Canada and encouraging companies there to expand over the border is planned for Oct. 27 at the Mountain View Grand.

The New Hampshire – Canada Business Development Forum is organized by the New Hampshire-Canada Trade Council and the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs. With 2016 exports valued at over $500 million, Canada is the state’s largest trading partner.

The forum will include a discussion about North American Free Trade Agreement negotiation, with speakers David Alward, Canadian Consul General to New England, and former representative Mary Estelle Ryckman of the Office of US Trade; US Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, member of the Foreign Relations Committee, has also been invited to speak.

Victoria Cimino, director of the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development; Dr. Katherine Harrington of Plymouth State University’s Bienvenue project and University System of New Hampshire Chancellor Todd Leach head a panel discussion about promoting the state’s cultural and natural resources.

The economic opportunities the state offers to Canadians will be discussed by panelists Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the BEA; Marie-Josee Vaillant of Kheops International, Colebrook, and Michel Pariseau of the Department of Homeland Security.

The event, which is being held at the Mountain View Grand in Whitefield, is free, but space is limited. Register here before Oct. 23.