The 2025 World Canals Conference has begun in Buffalo, coinciding with the bicentennial of the Erie Canal. The event brings together 450 attendees, including canal enthusiasts, historians, and experts on inland waterways from around the world. The focus is on both celebrating 200 years of the Erie Canal’s history and discussing its future.
Governor Kathy Hochul welcomed participants to Buffalo, noting the significance of the occasion. “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 conference highlights how the Erie Canal has contributed to New York State’s development in areas such as trade, transportation, recreation, economic growth, environmental resilience, and community connections. By hosting this international gathering in Buffalo during the bicentennial year of the canal’s original opening in 1825, New York aims to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining historic waterways and encouraging global cooperation.
Several organizations are cohosting this year’s conference: New York Power Authority, New York State Canal Corporation, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Visit Buffalo Niagara, along with Inland Waterways International. Attendees will participate in presentations and workshops focused on best practices for managing canals worldwide. Tours will also offer insight into Buffalo’s waterfront and other communities along the canal between Buffalo and Rochester.
New York Power Authority Board of Trustees Chairman John Koelmel commented on hosting responsibilities: “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.”
The event provides an opportunity for dialogue about challenges facing inland waterways globally while looking ahead to another century of operation for these important systems.
