AAEI's 105th Annual Conference & Trade Day
June 24-25, 2026 | Washington, DC | Ronald Regan Building & International Trade Center
*Early Bird rate available now through February 28, 2026
AAEI Member: $1350
Non-member: $1550
*Rates increase on March 1st, 2026. Max Rate for AAEI Members $1495; Max Rate for Non-members $1695.
Hotel Block Now Open at Hotel Washington
Heading to AAEI’s 105th Annual Conference & Trade Day this June? Our discounted room block at Hotel Washington is officially open!
This year’s conference takes place as the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a milestone that will be celebrated on stages across America. It’s an unforgettable moment to be in Washington, DC, and rooms are expected to fill quickly.
Secure your stay using the booking link below and make the most of your experience.
Please note: For all inquiries regarding hotel reservations, modifications, or cancellations,please contact the Hotel Washington directly.
Hotel Washington
515 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
#AAEI2026 *Agenda At-A-Glance
*Subject to change: Session titles, descriptions, and speakers will be added as programming continues to develop.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | Hotel Washington
Kick off the AAEI 105th Annual Conference & Trade Day in style at our Opening Reception, hosted at the iconic Hotel Washington. Enjoy panoramic views, great conversation, and a relaxed setting to reconnect with colleagues and meet new peers before the program begins.
This year’s opening reception is proudly sponsored by Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. and Sayari, bringing together leaders in trade law and global risk intelligence to welcome attendees to #AAEI2026.
A perfect start to two days of connection, policy updates, and compliance insights.
Sponsored by
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
All sessions are off-the-record
Doors Open & Continental Breakfast
Start Day 1 with fresh coffee, light breakfast, and early access to the Exhibit Hall. This is a great opportunity to ease into the day, connect with fellow attendees, and explore our exhibitors before the sessions begin.
Sponsored by TBD
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Our Breakfast Sponsor will open the morning with brief welcome remarks before turning the program over to AAEI Leadership for two special presentations: AAEI’s Small Business Exporter of the Year and the AAEI Trade Warrior Award.
Congressional Keynote
Then, to launch Trade Day, attendees will hear directly from a member of Congress, who will deliver an insider’s look at the latest developments shaping U.S. trade policy, the legislative priorities to watch, and what it all means for the trade community in the year ahead.
Creating “Comply” Chains
This panel of four experts will explore the evolving policy landscape shaping U.S. supply chains — from regulatory shifts and enforcement priorities to the compliance expectations facing importers and exporters today. Attendees will gain insights into how companies can build resilient, transparent, and fully compliant supply chains amid ongoing policy change.
Sponsored by
Usual Suspects – Advocates vs Lobbying
Meet the voices shaping trade in Washington. This panel of seasoned advocacy professionals—representing key sectors of the U.S. economy—will unpack the latest on tariffs, trade deals, tax policy, and Congress’s evolving trade agenda. Get an inside look at what’s ahead and how it may impact your business.
Sponsored by TBD
Duty Drawback as a Trade Policy Tool: Mitigation, Modernization, and Advocacy in Action
Duty drawback plays a critical role in mitigating tariff impacts, supporting U.S. competitiveness, and reinforcing supply chain resilience, but its effectiveness depends on clear policy, consistent administration, and ongoing engagement with government stakeholders. This panel brings together industry experts and government representatives to discuss current drawback challenges, opportunities for modernization, and priority advocacy issues. Attendees will gain insight into how drawback fits into the broader trade policy landscape and how companies and associations can work collaboratively to strengthen and protect this essential program.
Sponsored by TBD
Networking Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
Take a break, recharge, and enjoy lunch while exploring the Exhibit Hall. This is a great time to connect with exhibitors, network with peers, and continue conversations sparked throughout the morning sessions.
Sponsored by TBD.
Capitol Hill Visits
It’s time to take your voice to Capitol Hill! A group of 50 attendees will head to the Hill to bring a strong, unified presence on behalf of the trade community. Armed with the insights and connections made throughout the day, you’ll meet directly with the lawmakers and staff who shape and vote on U.S. trade policy. This is your opportunity to advocate for your company’s priorities and ensure your concerns are heard where it counts most.
Transportation sponsored by TBD.
Not heading to Capitol Hill? No problem! There’s plenty to experience right here. Explore the Expo Area, meet solution providers, see live demos, and connect with peers who are navigating the same trade challenges. It’s a great window to discover new tools, ask questions, and build relationships that can support your compliance and operational goals.
The Classification Playbook: Peer Insights & Practices
Join your peers for a focused benchmarking session on how companies are structuring and operationalizing their HTS classification programs. From governance models and documentation standards to managing global consistency and leveraging technology, this session gives you a real-world look at what’s working across the industry. Bring your questions — and be ready to share your own wins and challenges.
Sponsored by TBD.
The Classification Mapping What Matters: Benchmarking Supply Chain Visibility
As supply chain transparency becomes a regulatory and operational necessity, this benchmarking session explores how companies are mapping, monitoring, and managing their supplier ecosystems. Compare approaches to data collection, risk identification, and visualization tools — and learn how others are building visibility deep into their supply chains.
Sponsored by
Closing Remarks
AAEI Leadership will offer brief closing remarks to wrap up the day’s programming and highlight key takeaways. Attendees are encouraged to make their way back to the Expo Area for final conversations and connections.
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
Doors Open & Continental Breakfast
Start Day 2 with fresh coffee, a light breakfast, and another chance to explore the Exhibit Hall before programming begins. It’s a relaxed way to ease into the morning, reconnect with colleagues, and visit exhibitors before the day’s sessions get underway.
Sponsored by TBD.
Welcome to Day 2 & Opening Remark
Our Breakfast Sponsor will open Day 2 with brief welcome remarks and set the tone for the morning’s programming. Attendees will hear a quick overview of key themes shaping the day before sessions begin.
CBP Fireside Chat (off-the-record)
Kicking off with an introduction by Charter Brokerage, this fireside chat will feature a high-level leader from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for an in-depth conversation on the agency’s priorities, initiatives, and outlook for the year ahead. Attendees will gain timely insights into enforcement trends, modernization efforts, and CBP’s evolving role in shaping the trade landscape. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from CBP leadership in an open, conversational format.
Sponsored by
The New Geopolitical Reality: Trade Impacts & Strategic Responses (off-the-record)
As geopolitical tensions reshape the global economy, trade professionals face unprecedented levels of uncertainty. Fragmentation, protectionism, shifting alliances, and rising trade disputes are putting intense pressure on the global trading system — and forcing companies to rethink risk, resilience, and long-term strategy. In this off-the-record discussion, a distinguished panel of leaders in logistics, geopolitics, trade compliance, and trade policy will break down the most consequential global shifts and what they mean for supply chains, market access, and regulatory exposure. Attendees will walk away with practical insights and actionable strategies for navigating the volatility ahead.
Sponsored by
Voices at the Table: Strategic Roundtable Discussions 1
Dive into focused, small-group conversations on the trade issues that matter most. During registration, attendees will select one roundtable per block—each limited to eight participants and available on a first-come, first-served basis. These discussions offer a unique opportunity to compare experiences, benchmark with peers, and explore practical solutions in an intimate, expert-guided setting.
Choose your topic, claim your seat, and join the conversation.
Rapid Fire Session 1: Maximizing Tariff Savings Through Smarter Sourcing & Origin Strategies
Companies are rethinking global sourcing to reduce tariff exposure and improve landed costs. Explore fast, practical strategies involving substantial transformation, qualification for special tariff programs, supplier data validation, and scenario planning to reduce tariff liability.
Sponsored by TBD.
Rapid Fire Session 2: Recovering from Supply Chain Disruption Faster with Resilience Analytics
Companies are rethinking global sourcing to reduce tariff exposure and improve landed costs. Explore fast, practical strategies involving substantial transformation, qualification for special tariff programs, supplier data validation, and scenario planning to reduce tariff liability.
Sponsored by TBD.
Voices at the Table: Strategic Roundtable Discussions 2
Missed the first roundtable discussion? Don’t worry! Dive into focused, small-group conversations on the trade issues that matter most. During registration, attendees will select one roundtable per block—each limited to eight participants and available on a first-come, first-served basis. These discussions offer a unique opportunity to compare experiences, benchmark with peers, and explore practical solutions in an intimate, expert-guided setting. Choose your topic, claim your seat, and join the conversation.
Sponsored by TBD.
Rapid Fire Session 3: Getting Governance Right: Building Trade Compliance Ownership Across the Enterprise
Compliance can’t live in a silo. Discover how companies are structuring cross-functional governance models that engage legal, procurement, supply chain, IT, and the C-suite to reduce risk, prevent classification and valuation errors, and strengthen internal accountability.
Sponsored by TBD.
Rapid Fire Session 4: AI for Trade Compliance: Separating Real Use Cases from Hype
AI promises everything from perfect classification to automated documentation review—but what’s actually delivering results? This session cuts through the noise and showcases credible, real-world use cases that reduce manual workload, drive accuracy, and support strategic decision-making.
Sponsored by TBD.
Networking Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
Take a midday break and enjoy lunch while exploring the Exhibit Hall. This is a great opportunity to meet with exhibitors, continue conversations from the morning sessions, and connect with fellow attendees before programming resumes.
Sponsored by TBD.
EAPA actions brought under Sections 28 and 29 present significant operational, financial, and compliance challenges for companies engaged in global trade. This session will explore how CBP leverages these authorities to identify and pursue evasion, what triggers enforcement activity, and how organizations can proactively manage risk. Panelists will discuss coordination across compliance, legal, and supply chain teams to navigate EAPA exposure effectively.
Sponsored by TBD.
Details TBD.
Sponsored by TBD.
Charting the Next Horizon: Future Trade Challenges and the Compliance Imperative
As global trade faces rapid geopolitical, regulatory, and technological change, the demands on compliance functions are intensifying. This panel brings together experts to explore the next wave of challenges—from expanding sanctions and supply chain scrutiny to digital trade and AI-driven enforcement. Join us for a forward-looking discussion on how organizations can stay resilient, proactive, and compliant amid an increasingly complex global landscape.
Sponsored by TBD.
Closing Remarks/Event Close
AAEI Leadership will close the conference with final reflections on the themes, insights, and discussions that shaped this year’s program. Attendees will leave with key takeaways, a look at what’s ahead for AAEI and the trade community, and a heartfelt thank-you for being part of this year’s gathering. A perfect wrap to two days of learning, connection, and shared purpose.
AAEI Thanks Our 2025 Sponsors
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