The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers unites the chief executives from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec and Wisconsin. Through the Conference, the Governors and Premiers work as equal partners to grow the region’s $6 trillion economy and protect the world’s largest system of surface fresh water. The Conference builds upon over 30 years of work by the Council of Great Lakes Governors to encourage and facilitate environmentally responsible economic development. Economic Development The Governors’ and Premiers’ goals are to enhance competitiveness, grow the regional economy and create jobs. Ongoing initiatives include: • International trade— Managing fifteen export offices around the world to connect regional companies with consumers in the world’s most dynamic markets. • Maritime transportation—Striving to double maritime trade while shrinking the overall environmental impact of the region’s transportation network. • Tourism— Marketing the region’s destinations to tourists from key international markets. Environmental Protection The Governors’ and Premiers’ goal is to restore and protect the region’s waters. Ongoing initiatives include: • Water Quantity—Managing an innovative, legally binding framework to protect the region’s water supply. • Restoration and Protection—Spearheading a long-term, regional strategy to improve water quality with a focus on key priorities such as reducing nutrient enrichment and harmful algal blooms. • Aquatic Invasive Species—Leading regional efforts to help combat Asian carp and other non-native aquatic species that threaten our waters.