The 2025 World Canals Conference has started in Buffalo, New York, coinciding with the bicentennial of the Erie Canal. The event brings together 450 participants including canal experts, historians, and enthusiasts from around the world to discuss the past, present, and future of inland waterways.
Governor Kathy Hochul welcomed attendees to Buffalo and highlighted the importance of the 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 conference is cohosted by several organizations: New York Power Authority, New York State Canal Corporation, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Visit Buffalo Niagara, and Inland Waterways International. The program includes presentations, workshops, and tours along Buffalo’s waterfront and other canal communities between Buffalo and Rochester.
The event aims to highlight both the historical significance of the Erie Canal—marking 200 years since its opening in 1825—and ongoing efforts in economic development, environmental resilience, recreation opportunities, trade improvements, transportation infrastructure upgrades and community connections within New York State.
John Koelmel, Chairman of the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees stated: “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.”
This yearlong commemoration underlines New York State’s commitment to preserving historic waterways while encouraging international cooperation on best practices for managing inland water systems.
