Skip to content

Spring Seminar Agenda

This year’s agenda featured tracks include general Foreign-Trade Zone topics as well specific tracks for:

Grantees, Operator/Users, Advanced Professionals, and those learning the Fundamentals.

Sunday, May 21, 2023

5:00pm-6:30pm Welcome Reception

  • Network with FTZ Industry partners

Monday, May 22, 2023

6:00am-7:30am Informal Networking Hike - meet in the lobby
7:30am-8:00am Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00am-8:30am Welcome Remarks

  • Review key trade developments & event outlook
 SPEAKER: Shane Williams, NAFTZ Chair MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
8:30am-9:15am Developments from CBP

  • Address FTZ developments and Outlook from an on-the-ground perspective
 SPEAKER: Brad Slutsky, CBP, Stephen Long, CBP, MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
9:15am-10:00am Advocacy and Public Policy Update

  • Explore 321 where lobbying efforts stand, current status & next steps
 SPEAKERS: Ben Odendahl, Smith Dawson & Andrews, James Grogan, FTI Consulting, Shannon Fura, Page Fura PC, Sean Lydon, ISCM Inc. MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
10:00am-10:30am Refreshment Break
10:30am-11:30am OPERATORS/USERS: CBP Local Priorities & Maintaining a Compliant FTZ Program

  • Learn how to leverage the new checklist to ensure compliance
  • Review what to expect
  • Identify Best ways to prepare
  • Determine how and when to engage with your local port in the development & maintenance of their FTZ program
  • Understand issues that may arise with activation
 SPEAKER: Stephen Long, CBP, Supervisory CBPO Christopher Larkins, Tucson Field Office, CBP
Jason West, CBP		 MODERATOR: Melissa Irmen, ISCM Inc.
FUNDAMENTALS: FTZ Overview, Benefits, Participants & Zone Types

  • Identify benefits & review the regulatory process
  • BONUS 2 webinars available for purchase
 SPEAKER: Patty Cannon, State of Delaware FTZ #99 MODERATOR: Leigh Burton, KPMG
GRANTEES: FTZ Board Review of Grantee Compliance

  • Review public utility principles, uniform treatment/fees, key expectations
  • Determine how to prepare for audit
 SPEAKERS: Liz Whiteman, FTZ Board
Torrey Chambliss, Port Tampa Bay, Danielle Converse, POCCA		 MODERATOR: Angie Atwood, Columbus Regional Airport
11:30am-12:30pm Lunch
12:40 pm-1:40pm OPERATORS/USERS: Top Supply Chain/Logistics Challenges

  • Review 214 updates, 321, 232, 301, tariffs
  • Understand how the changes to support environmental green initiatives may impact FTZ growth/interest, tariffs
  • Explore bond exports
 SPEAKERS: Polia Comella, Rockefeller Group
Katie Tangman, Columbia Sportswear		 MODERATOR: Cricket Wallace, FTZ 93
FUNDAMENTALS: FTZ Application Process

  • Identify proper documentation
  • Determine delivery type & authorization requirements
  • BONUS 2 webinars available for purchase
 SPEAKER: Liz Whiteman, FTZ Board MODERATOR: Arthur Cha
GRANTEES: CBP In Your Zone

  • Review the Grantee approach in how to work together.
  • Understand Interactions between FTZ & CBP (Concurrence letters, Prequalifying applications, Issues with activation, etc.)
 SPEAKERS: Danielle Converse, POCCA, Denise Yanez, City of Phoenix & Leigh Ryan, WTC Savannah MODERATOR: Shannon Fura, Page Fura PC
1:50pm-2:50pm China: Explore the current trade landscape: big picture and potential FTZ interplay

  • Review forced labor prevention, 301, WRO, antidumping/countervailing duties: offshoring (Malaysia/Vietnam), export restrictions
 SPEAKERS: Frankie Bryson, Nissan North America
James Grogan, FTI Consulting, Inc.		 MODERATOR: Jeremy Page, Page Fura PC
2:50-3:30pm  REFRESHMENT BREAK 
3:20pm-4:20pm OPERATORS/USERS: How to Bring Suppliers into the Zone

  • Explore what to do with perceived variances/drawback/valuation
  • Best practice for working with suppliers
 SPEAKERS: Justin Huguet, GEODIS MODERATOR: Sean Lydon, ISCM Inc.
FUNDAMENTALS: Zone Status, Inventory & Recordkeeping

  • Identify storage, removal, and destruction rules
  • Determine necessary authorization required
  • BONUS 2 webinars available for purchase
 SPEAKER: Trey Boring, IMS Worldwide, Inc. MODERATOR: Joshua Guy, QAD
GRANTEES: Making the Case for the Zone: Bonded Warehouse vs. FTZ

  • Understand the process of cargo entrance to supply chain (infrastructure variables)
  • Review nuances when to use each program & how they work together
  • Define what's involved in your supply chain strategy
 SPEAKER: David Panko, City of El Paso, Jennifer VanGundy, GEODIS MODERATOR: David Sikkink, FTZ Hawaii
4:30pm-6:00pm ACE 2.0 Listening Session - OFF THE RECORD

  • Review ACE 2.0 trade updates
  • Share concerns directly to CBP on what Trade needs and what's needed to make the newest iteration of ACE successful as CBP develops the best functionality to support the Trade and CBP’s missions.
 SPEAKERS: Vincent Annunziato, CBP
Tom Mills, CBP
Valarie Neuhart, CBP		 MODERATOR: Shannon Fura, Page Fura PC
GRANTEES ONLY: Roundtable

  • Join the discussion on hot topics for Operator/Users
 MODERATOR: David Sikkink, Hawaii FTZ #9
6:00pm Adjourn
6:00pm-7:30pm Reception

Location: Coyote Corral (outdoors)
WEATHER BACKUP = Kiva Ballroom
Q's call 703-309-6640

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

7:30am-8:00am Networking Continental Breakfast
8:00am-8:30am Opening Remarks

  • Review latest updates and outlook for the day
 SPEAKER: Shane Williams, EY MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
8:30am-9:00am FTZ Board — Trade Developments - OFF THE RECORD

  • Learn about recent developments on the FTZ staff, spot checks and production scope
 SPEAKER: Liz Whiteman, U.S. FTZ Board MODERATOR: Shane Williams, EY
9:00am-9:50am CBP Detention Programs - OFF THE RECORD
Learn the important differences between the various CBP detention programs. Hear from CBP at a major trade center on the growing list of CBP detention programs and how it impacts your FTZ program oversight. Understand:

  • Withhold Release Orders Are Still in Effect (WRO)
  • The Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act (UFLPA)
  • The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)
 SPEAKER: Kendra Holloway, CBP & Ana Martinez, CBP MODERATOR: Shane Williams, EY
9:50am-10:20am Refreshment Break
10:20am-11:20am OPERATORS/USERS: NCBFAA Certified Zone Specialist (CZS) Program

  • Explore the NCFBAA & NAFTZ accreditation programs and how they compliment one another
 SPEAKERS: Cynthia Whittenburg, NCBFAA
Melissa Irmen, ISCM		 MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
FUNDAMENTALS: Merchandise Handling & Admissions

  • Explore FTZ Movement of Goods
  • Identify discrepancies
  • Review authorizations and documentation requirements
 SPEAKERS: Arcelio Gerardo, FTZ World Services LLC
Eric Dalby, Descartes		 MODERATOR: Joe Blaskiewicz, MIC Customs Solutions
ADVANCED: Court of International Trade

  • Explore the latest & anticipated CBP legal issues
 SPEAKERS: Sean Murray, Miller & Co. MODERATOR: Matt Williams, FTI Consulting Inc.
11:30pm-12:30pm
FUNDAMENTALS: Transfer Merch. Periodic Reporting, Regulatory Requirements & Inspections

  • Understand reporting and requirements
 SPEAKERS: Robert Balli, P66 MODERATOR: Bill Fisher, DHL Global Forwarding
ADVANCED: Anatomy of an FTZ Internal Audit Program

  • Review inclusion/exclusion
  • Develop and review the compliance program (internal audit)
  • Understand how and when to self audit
 SPEAKERS: Yuko Hampton, SUMCO & Eric Berry, Copper Hill Inc. MODERATOR: Jessica Rosen, UPS
12:30pm Conclude