Start your day with a strong cup of coffee and even stronger connections! Explore our Expo Hall, featuring leading trade service providers, law firms, and industry experts ready to support your trade compliance and supply chain needs.

Join AAEI leadership in the amphitheater as we kick off the day’s programming and prepare for a full day of education, insights, and meaningful connections across the trade community.

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to hear directly from U.S. Customs and Border Protection leadership. Get the latest updates on trade initiatives, enforcement priorities, and strategies to help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.

This session is off the record.

Sponsored by    

Join us for an insightful session exploring the critical strategies for navigating risk, enhancing compliance, and building resilience within global supply chains. This session will showcase the impactful work of AAEI’s Supply Chain Resiliency Committee and provide an overview of their white paper. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with industry leaders and shape your strategies for supply chain success.

Speakers

• Vince Iacopella, Alba Wheels Up
• Laura Siegel Rabinowitz, Greenberg Traurig LLP
• Thariq Kara, BITE Data
• Michael Ford, TradeBridge Consulting

Sponsored by

Many importers do not realize full duty recovery to optimize  trade compliance departments as profit versus cost centers. Learn how you  can cultivate the latest duty drawback approaches for maximum gain.

Speakers:

• Dave Corn, COAC Member, Comstock & Holt Inc.
• Michael Cerny, Charter Brokerage, LLC

(Description coming soon)

Speakers

• Amy Morgan, Altana
• Julie Ann Parks, Former AAEI Board Chairperson

Sponsored by

This session covers the key elements of importing and exporting, along with updates on Continuing Education for LCBs

Speaker:

• Cynthia Whittenburg, Executive Vice President, NEI

Presented by

Refuel and recharge during lunch in the Expo Hall, where you can continue the day’s conversations after a morning of insightful programming. This is your chance to deepen connections with fellow professionals, trade experts, and service providers in a relaxed, engaging environment.

Discover ways to help quantify the return on investment (ROI) for trade automation and make a compelling business case for implementation. This session will explore key cost-saving benefits, efficiency gains, and risk reduction strategies to help you secure internal buy-in. Learn from experts who have successfully navigated the automation journey and transformed their trade compliance operations.

Presented by

Trade compliance issues are evolving at an unprecedented pace, and getting leadership buy-in is critical to mitigating risks and seizing opportunities. Learn how to frame compliance challenges in terms of business impact, use data to support your case, and position trade compliance as a strategic advantage rather than a cost center.

Speakers:

• Cindy Deleon, Deleon Trade LLC
• Matthew Pittman, Chief Compliance Officer, Trinity Industries

Presented by

AI is transforming trade compliance by streamlining audits and enhancing risk detection. Attendees will gain insights into real-world applications of AI in trade compliance and learn best practices for integrating AI solutions to enhance accuracy, reduce manual workload, and drive smarter compliance decisions.

With export controls and denied party screening increasing, ensuring compliance with restricted party lists is more critical than ever. Attendees will gain insights into how technology can enhance due diligence, integrate with existing compliance programs, and provide real-time alerts to mitigate risks.

U.S. and reciprocal tariffs are creating rising costs for importers and exporters.  This session will touch on practical strategies to optimize duty savings, including leveraging free trade agreements, tariff engineering, first sale valuation, and bonded warehouse programs. Experts will share a case study on how companies can proactively manage costs while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

Presented by

In today’s fast-paced global market, trade compliance teams must make decisions at speed—without sacrificing accuracy. This session explores how strategic data sharing—both internally across departments and externally with partners—can transform compliance from a reactive function into a proactive business advantage. Learn how timely, accurate data strengthens relationships, streamlines operations, and empowers your team to act decisively in a dynamic trade environment. Discover real-world approaches to data integration that improve visibility, reduce risk, and drive stronger business outcomes.

Presented by

Tariffs are top-of-mind with ongoing geopolitical tensions, China trade policy shifts, and potential 2025 tariff changes.  AAEI members (importers/exporters) are looking for relief and actionable strategies.

This session will offer real-world experience and can speak to current engagements, compliance, and client success stories.

Presented by      

End-to-end supply chain visibility is crucial for managing compliance risks, improving operational efficiency, and responding to disruptions. Learn how greater visibility can help your organization improve compliance, strengthen supplier relationships, and drive business resilience.

Presented by

The world is facing dramatic geopolitical change. It has become more fragmented and unstable. It is more protectionist, entering a new era of trade disputes with the current global trading system under extreme pressure. Economic and geopolitical consequences have an impact on international trade. Our esteemed panelists, comprised of leaders in logistics, geopolitics, trade compliance, and trade policy, will provide valuable insights and actionable recommendations.

This session is off the record.

Speakers

• Matt Varner, Aritzia (Moderator)
• Bill Reinsch, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
• James Min, Managing Partner, LMD Trade Law PLLC
• Bruce Hirsh, Principal, Tailwind Global Strategies

Sponsored by    

As we wrap up what we expect to be our most successful event to date, join us for the Closing Reception to celebrate the connections made, the insights shared, and the achievements of the day. This final networking opportunity is your chance to reflect on the valuable conversations and collaborations within our trade community — and to connect with embassy staff, government officials, and industry-specific trade association representatives. We look forward to thanking you in person for attending and for being an essential part of our vibrant and vital trade community.

Sponsored by