New York State’s Queen City Hosts International Audience of Inland Waterway Experts During Erie Canal’s Bicentennial Year
Conference Highlights 200 Years of the Erie Canal’s Influence While Focusing on Its Next Century of Operation
450 Attendees Discuss Challenges, Best Practices, and Future of the World’s Prominent Inland Waterways
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the 2025 World Canals Conference has commenced in Buffalo, during the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial year. Bringing an international audience together of canal enthusiasts, historians, and waterway experts, the group will celebrate and discuss the rich history and future of canal systems worldwide, with a special focus on New York State’s iconic Erie Canal.
“The Erie Canal is more than a waterway; it is a symbol of perseverance and progress,” Governor Hochul said. “Two hundred years ago, it stood as a marvel for innovation and determination fueling America’s growth and opening pathways of opportunity. Today, as we celebrate its bicentennial, I am honored to welcome the world to Buffalo, my hometown, for the 2025 World Canals Conference. Together, we will carry forward the Erie Canal’s legacy as a global symbol of connection, commerce, and possibility for the next century and beyond.”
The Erie Canal, a cornerstone of New York State's development and economic growth, commemorates 200 years of transformative impact on trade, transportation, recreation, economic development, environmental resiliency and community connectivity. Hosting the World Canals Conference in Buffalo underscores New York State's commitment to preserving and enhancing its historic waterways while fostering global collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
The 2025 World Canals Conference is cohosted by the New York Power Authority, the New York State Canal Corporation, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, and Visit Buffalo Niagara in collaboration with Inland Waterways International. As part of a yearlong Bicentennial commemoration of the original Erie Canal’s opening in 1825, the 2025 World Canals Conference promises to be a landmark event. Featuring a diverse program of presentations, workshops, and tours, attendees will have the opportunity to explore Buffalo's vibrant waterfront, vibrant Canal communities from Buffalo to Rochester and more, all while learning from each other about the Erie Canal's history, present and future, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing inland waterways around the world.
New York Power Authority Board of Trustees Chairman John Koelmelsaid, “Hosting the World Canals Conference in Buffalo is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the Erie Canal's historical significance and its continued impact on our state. This event brings together experts and enthusiasts who share a passion for waterways, and it will provide a platform for innovative ideas and collaborations. We are proud to showcase the Erie Canal, and to support this global gathering as part of its Bicentennial celebration.”
Read the full press release here.