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. 

Rapid Fire Session 5: Strengthening Export Screening Programs Through Better Data 
Denied party screening is no longer enough. This session explores how leading exporters are using multi-source data, AI tools, and continuous monitoring to uncover hidden ownership risks, identify high-risk transactions, and improve escalation decision-making across their global operations.

Sponsored by TBD. 

Rapid Fire Session 6: Customs Compliance in the Automation Era: What to Prioritize Now 
Automation isn’t just about speed—it’s about reducing errors and improving audit readiness. This rapid-fire session highlights the core areas where AI and automation deliver the biggest ROI — classification accuracy, documentation integrity, and proactive flags for potential compliance gaps. 

Sponsored by TBD. 

Rapid Fire Session 7: Export Licensing Efficiency: Streamlining Processes Without Adding Risk
Many exporters struggle with lengthy licensing cycles and internal bottlenecks. This rapid-fire session focuses on tools, workflows, and documentation strategies that shorten turnaround times, reduce errors, and enhance coordination between engineering, legal, supply chain, and compliance teams.

Sponsored by TBD. 

Rapid Fire Session 8: Duty Drawback as a Competitive Advantage
Most companies are still missing significant refunds. This session breaks down modern drawback approaches, data requirements, and new technologies that help importers move from occasional claims to continuous duty recovery. Learn how to turn drawback into a strategic tool for cash flow and cost savings.

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.