AAEI's 104th Annual Conference & Trade Day
Washington, DC: June 26-27, 2025
Join us at the AAEI 2025 Conference & Trade Day, in Washington, DC, June 26-27, 2025, where you and fellow importers, exporters, and trade strategists can navigate the tariff crisis and mitigate supply-chain risks!
Event Information
Gain valuable insights on tariff mitigation strategies and managing supply chain risks. Build relationships with trade compliance professionals who are actively reducing their companies’ tariff exposure. Engage directly with trade policy decision-makers—don’t miss this opportunity to advance your trade expertise and advocate for your company!
Receive legislative training and meet with your congressional representatives.
Engage in solutions-based trade compliance programming.
Expand your professional network by connecting with experts and leaders in the trade community.
Gain practical knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving trade landscape and protect your company’s competitive edge.
Terms and Conditions: After January 31, 2025, Pre-Sale Registration rate is nonrefundable. Early Bird registration rate is also nonrefundable. However, all registrations are transferable at any time prior to June 27, 2025.
Please contact [email protected] for more information.
#AAEI25 Agenda At-A-Glance
Thursday, June 26, 2025 - Trade Day* - National Press Club
Kickstart your Trade Day experience early and give yourself time to get through security, grab your coffee and breakfast, and claim a prime seat. You’ll want to be ready and energized for a powerful day packed with insights, strategies, and the tools you’ll need to make your voice heard on Capitol Hill!
Fuel up for the day as we kick things off with a welcome from AAEI leadership, setting the tone for a day of advocacy and trade insights.
From forced labor to country-of-origin issues to tariffs, global trade in the 21st century will be defined by economic security initiatives. Hear government officials from a wide range of agencies share how initiatives in economic security can impact your supply chain.
Representatives from agencies at the border will participate in a speed dating style panel covering tariffs, export controls, PGA compliance, export manifest, and 21st-century customs and touch on compliance best practices for you and your company.
Get behind the scenes with the trade policy insiders! AAEI’s key partners—organizations that regularly coordinate on trade advocacy—will share how they are tackling the tariff crisis head-on and shaping the conversation in Washington. Learn how these collaborations are streamlining advocacy efforts and, more importantly, what you can do to strengthen your company’s voice on the Hill. This session is your inside track to smarter, more strategic advocacy!
Hear from House and Senate leadership and key Hear from House and Senate leadership and key policy staffers about the trade agencies’ staffing and funding, tariffs, market access, export controls, China PNTR and other issues facing trade compliance professionals and their companies that are being discussed throughout the halls of Congress.
Be prepped and polished before heading to the Hill! Hear how to effectively advocate for causes, policies, or individuals, aiming to influence decision-making and bring about positive change.
No need to worry about navigating D.C. in the summer heat—AAEI has you covered! Buses will be ready to transport attendees directly from the National Press Club to Capitol Hill for your congressional meetings. After a successful afternoon of advocacy, we’ll bring you back to the Hotel Washington in time to celebrate at our Trade Day Reception!
It’s time to take your voice to the Hill! Armed with the insights and connections made throughout the day, you’ll head to Capitol Hill to present a powerful, unified presence. This is your chance to meet with those who shape and vote on trade policy—don’t miss the opportunity to advocate for your company’s needs and ensure your concerns are heard where it counts most!
Wrap up an action-packed day with a refreshing beverage and great conversation at our Trade Day Reception! Connect with fellow attendees, including Embassy officials, Hill staffers, and government agency representatives, while enjoying stunning views of the iconic D.C. skyline. It’s the perfect chance to reflect on the day’s experiences, build lasting relationships, and unwind in great company!
Sponsored by 
Friday, June 27, 2025 - Conference Day* Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
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.
Presented 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.
New to trade or looking to build a stronger foundation? This session is designed for professionals early in their careers. Learn the core principles of trade compliance, importing procedures, and best practices to set yourself up for long-term success in the industry.
Presented by 
Just getting started in global trade? Build a strong foundation for your career! This session breaks down the key elements of exporting, covering essential compliance requirements, procedures, and best practices to help you navigate international trade with confidence and set yourself up for long-term success.
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.
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.
Trade compliance doesn’t operate in a silo—it intersects with supply chain, finance, legal, and IT teams. This session will discuss best practices for fostering cross-functional collaboration to enhance compliance, streamline processes, and drive business efficiencies. Attendees will hear examples of how to effectively engage stakeholders, align compliance goals with broader business objectives, and build a culture of proactive compliance.
U.S. duty drawback programs offer significant opportunities for cost recovery, but navigating the complexities can be challenging. This session will provide guidance to maximizing refunds, from eligibility requirements and documentation best practices to common pitfalls and automation solutions.
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.
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
Presented 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
*Subject to change: Session titles, descriptions, and speakers will be added as programming continues to develop.
Hotel - Almost Sold Out
Hotel block is almost sold out.
For all inquiries regarding room accommodations, please contact the Hotel Washington.
515 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
P: 202-661-2400
AAEI Thanks Our 2025 Sponsors
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PLATINUM SPONSORS
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