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Annual Conference & Exposition Agenda

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

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

Sunday, September 14, 2025

5:00pm Registration
5:30pm-6:30pm Attendee Reception

Monday, September 15, 2025

7:30am Registration
7:30am-8:00am Continental Breakfast
8:00am-8:10am Opening Remarks & Welcome

  • Review key association developments and provide an event overview.
 SPEAKER: James Grogan, FTI Consulting Inc. MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
8:10am-8:40am Top Advocacy & NAFTZ Insights

  •  Review key ongoing trade developments incl. USMCA placeholder (revisit 8-9mon. lead time; diff. requirements each country) 2026 renewal yet 2025 when work done)
 SPEAKER: James Grogan, FTI Consulting Inc. MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
8:40am-9:40am CBP “Taking it from the Top – The CBP HQ Perspectives”

  • Review changes affecting the Foreign-Trade Zones program and other importers.
    • CBP Focus in FY 2024+
    • The Future of Port/Trade Resources
    • ACE and Other CBP Budget Priorities
    • Section 321 (de minimus) and its growing impact on cargo processing
 SPEAKERS INVITED SOPDOC Miller (or [Acting] Commissioner), EAC Sabatino, XD Thomas MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
9:40am-10:10am REFRESHMENT BREAK
10:10am-11:10am FTZ Board: Developments

  • Review FTZ Board current and ongoing developments.
 SPEAKERS: Liz Whiteman, US FTZ Board
Dawn Shackleford, Executive Director for Trade Agreements, Policy & Negotiations at the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration		 MODERATOR: Shannon Fura, Page Fura PC
11:10am-12:00pm 2025 Regional FTZ: Driving economic decisions for FTZs

  • Local factors with Operator Panel - supply chain, renewable, etc. (Panasonic invite)
  • Expand discussion to Rail transportation & FTZ as applicable
 SPEAKER TO INVITE: Kawasaki & Bayer (veteran perspective) & Panasonic & Garmin (newer perspectives) MODERATOR: TBD
12:00pm-1:00pm LUNCH
1:10pm-2:10pm FUNDAMENTALS: FTZ Overview, Benefits, Participants & Zone Types

  • Identify benefits & review the regulatory process (review advanced webinars highlighting benefits, application, activation).
  • BONUS Grantee 202 Webinar — click here to purchase.
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: Operators/Users Track: What I was doing on Feb. 1, 2025?

  • Review consequence of cut programs
  • Explore tariff influence on FTZs (25% on Canada/Mexico, etc.)
  • Navigate anticipated upcoming developments
  • Understand Proper process to adjust (operators processes for this. How to change FTZ status from Non-Privileged to Privileged? Is this recommended?
 SPEAKERS: Operators/users/grantees = Torrey Chambliss – offer to speak

(overview) Trade attorney - Page Fura, Miller & Co., STR, EY, FTI, etc.??

 MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: OPERATORS/USERS Track: How "cargo" becomes "inventory".

  • Define when it happens: leaving a foreign port or while it is in a container on the ocean? Or maybe when it leaves the destination port here in the US and/or when the container is attached to a truck or a rail car?
  • Explore When & where does that "cargo" stop being cargo and begin being inventory??
  • Define what does that mean for the importing operator/user as well as CBP??
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
PETROLEUM: Washington Update

  • TBD
 SPEAKERS: TBD

Douglas Nation, API & Larry Hanson

 MODERATOR: TBD
2:10pm-2:20pm BREAK
2:20pm-3:20pm FUNDAMENTALS: FTZ Application Process

  • Identify proper documentation.
  • Determine delivery type & authorization requirements
  • BONUS Grantee 202 Webinar — click here to purchase.
 SPEAKER: Camille Evans, US FTZ Board? MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: GRANTEES: A Review of all the Risk and Cost strategies for Global Supply Chains  

  •  Explore how to overcome costs by utilizing the FTZ program.
 SPEAKERS: TBD   MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: OPERATORS/USERS Track: CPSC E-Filing requirement and timelines

  • Review the January 8th CPSC published final rule requiring the submission of CPSC Certificates of Conformity to be filed at the time of entry. There are currently two ways to file this through the message set. One is a full message set and one is an abbreviated message set referencing their data base reference number. There is an 18 month implementation for entries and a 2 year implementation for FTZs
 SPEAKERS: TBD

Chris Smith, Polia Comellia, Katie Tangman would all be good speakers on this topic

 MODERATOR: TBD
PETROLEUM: 2:20 pm CTPAT Trade Compliance Update (30min)

  • Provide an overview and benefits of the CTPAT Trade Compliance program along with the partnership with trade compliant members

PETROLEUM:  2:50 pm Petroleum CEE Update (30min)

  • Explore an overview of Petroleum CEE’s role and responsibilities, update on current initiatives, update on renewable initiatives and Q&A
    session (questions will be submitted prior to conference to CBP)
  

SPEAKERS INVITED: 2:20pm
Petroleum personnel: Bryan Gray, NAM, Petroleum CEE

SPEAKERS INVITED: 2:50pm Kimbra Miller, Jeff Saum, David McGurk, TJ Kendrick

 MODERATOR: TBD
3:20-3:50pm REFRESHMENT BREAK 
3:50pm-4:50pm FUNDAMENTALS: Zone Status, Inventory & Recordkeeping

  • Identify storage, removal, and destruction rules.
  • Determine necessary authorization required.
  • BONUS Grantee 202 Webinar — click here to purchase.
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: GRANTEES Track: How to Leverage FTZs to manage tariffs impact (welcome session title suggestions)

  • Explore methods to navigate the ever-changing tariff landscape
 SPEAKER: TBD

James Grogan and Rebecca Williams would be great presenters on this topic.

 MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: OPERATORS/USERS Track: Physical Security at FTZ site.

  • Explore a detailed review of the Security Guidelines from CBP and the implementation of CBP approved Security at your Zone Operations
SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
PETROLEUM: Neoflow/Blockchain

  • Understand project overview & update on implementation/project
    status since go-live and CBP’s implementation plans for other sectors.
 SPEAKERS INVITED: Jeff Saum – co-present with Neoflow representatives MODERATOR: TBD
5:00pm-6:00pm FUNDAMENTALS: Merchandise Handling & Admissions

  • Identify discrepancies.
  • Define HMF.
  • Review Reporting Responsibilities.
  • BONUS Grantee 202 Webinar — click here to purchase.
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: GRANTEE Track: A step-by-step Guide on what to do after an activation request (102 class process and procedures)

  • Explore the Economic development approach – constituents vs. Control approach
  • Understand Documented process & procedures (internal process)
  • Review Application Procedure
  • Define how to communicate; enable the process; & be more efficient in timelines/process/empower by board vs paperwork approach etc.
  • Increase FTZ knowledge and usage within their own communities.
  • Define what the steps are in submitting an operator for activation
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: OPERATOR/USER Track: CF3461 estimates regulations, and supplemental.

  • The regulation on a estimate with HTS/ MID combination surpassing the estimates. How and when the supplemental can take place and be in regulation with CBP.

PETROLEUM: Key to Successfully Balancing FTZ, FTA and Drawback 

  • TBD
 OPER/USER SPEAKERS: TBD

Rebecca Williams??

 

PETRO SPEAKERS: TBD

Matt Anderson, Charter; Todd Davis, EY; Hillary Jones, Marathon, TBD??

 MODERATOR: TBD
6:00pm ADJOURN
6:00pm-7:00pm Grand Opening Welcome Reception

  • Network with industry peers and providers at this Expo Hall opening reception.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

 

7:30am Registration
7:30am-8:00am Continental Breakfast  
8:00am-8:30am Opening Address

  • Review Outlook/trade developments of the day
 SPEAKERS: James Grogan, FTI Consulting Inc. MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
8:30am-9:30am FTZ Program Enforcement Updates From CBP

  • Hear direct from CBP on the current status of trade developments such as:
    • Forced Labor
    • ACE functionality updates Impacting FTZs
 INVITED SPEAKERS: Director Brad Slutsky & CTPAT Program Office Representative, CBP MODERATOR: James Grogan, FTI Consulting Inc.
9:30am-9:40am BREAK
9:40am-10:40am FUNDAMENTALS: Transfer of Merchandise, Periodic Reporting

  • Identify discrepancies
  • Review reporting responsibilities
  • BONUS Grantee 202 Webinar — click here to purchase.
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: ADVANCED Track: FTZ Exports: Translating the Complexities into Simple Terms & Defining Liabilities

  • Export in-bond vs not in-bond including all of the in-bond options and nuances/liabilities of each; Incoterms and their impact; EEI filing responsibilities; PGA export compliance responsibilities; BIS export compliance responsibilities; selling to US entity buyer vs foreign entity buyer, etc.
 SPEAKERS: TBD

Rebecca Williams, RGFTZS???

 MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: OPERATOR/USER Track: Documentation compliance and scope of authority issues

  • Understand Nuances to not keeping in regular upkeep
  • It would be beneficial to provide guidance to operators, particularly manufacturing operators, in how to recognize and utilize their scope of authority to confirm they're compliant with CBP/FTZ Board requirements. Particularly for legacy FTZ Operators, Scope of authorities or needs/operations may have changed and the appropriate FTZ Board filings may not have occurred.
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
PETROLEUM: Petroleum Perspective

  • Review special nuances involved with zone inventory measurements in the petroleum FTZ sector. This includes meters, scales, and tanks.
  • Understand CBP approach to meter readings
  • Review meter reading audit and calibration criteria
  • Review employing scales, tanks and more in the process
  • Understand how recordkeeping for petroleum is different
 SPEAKER: Robert Munivez, National Petroleum Chemist Division,Petroleum CEE personnel familiar with FTZs (previously National Petroleum Chemist/Gauger Manager Robert Munivez and yield to best fit given location) MODERATOR: TBD
10:40am-11:10am REFRESHMENT BREAK
11:10am-12:10pm FUNDAMENTALS: Regulatory Requirements & Inspections

 SPEAKER(S): TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: ADVANCED Track: Lacey Act - new requirements and how they impact the FTZ

  • Understand the nuances and interconnections between the programs
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: OPERATOR/USER Track: FTZ Inventory Discrepancies & Reporting: A DEEP DIVE

  • Understand the reasons and ways to report nuances
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: Eric Shumaker, Steelite poss.
PETROLEUM: Renewable Panel Discussing The Nuances of Import, Export, FTZ, FTA and Drawback - Part 1

  • TBD
 SPEAKERS: Michael Leightman, EY;  Kelly Towner, Valero; Robert Bail, P66; Greg Towne, Charter Brokerage; Christian Szymanski, Charter Brokerage; Jonathon Dicks, Neste MODERATOR: TBD
12:10pm-1:10pm LUNCH
1:20pm-2:20pm  General session: New Trade Developments

  • Review the latest hot topic with more details shared in June
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
2:30pm-3:10pm FUNDAMENTALS: ABCs of FTZs — Game Show of Knowledge

  • Utilize FTZ knowledge in real world scenarios in jeopardy style interactive format
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: ADVANCED Track: Duty Drawback Parity between FTZ and Non-FTZ duty drawback claims

  • Explore how these differ, what are your liabilities, requirements, etc.
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
OPERATORS/USERS: Compliance Risks with Incomplete Item Master Data

  • Review required data points for CBP filings, and the risks to a Zone operation without them. Defined HTSUS, MID codes for Manufacturers, Etc...

PETROLEUM: Renewable Panel Discussing The Nuances of Import, Export, FTZ, FTA and Drawback - Part 1

  • TBD
 Oper/User SPEAKER: TBD

 

PETRO SPEAKERS: Michael Leightman, EY;  Kelly Towner, Valero; Robert Bail, P66; Greg Towne, Charter Brokerage; Christian Szymanski, Charter Brokerage; Jonathon Dicks, Neste

 MODERATOR: Reminder to QAD/TR/Descartes/Precision/MIC?
3:10pm-3:40pm REFRESHMENT BREAK

3:40pm-4:30pm

  

FUNDAMENTALS: Professional Development in the FTZ industry

  • Utilize FTZ knowledge in real world scenarios in jeopardy style interactive format
 Speakers: Chris Smith, IKEA, operator/user, grantee, service provider Moderator: NAFTZ ELITE Committee Chair: Courtney Stiers
3:40pm-4:30pm CALL FOR SPEAKERS: ADVANCED Track: Bonded Shipments/In-bond

  • Explore all in-bond transportation including export
  • Understand how to help forwarders and carriers understand the process to help us ship with them. We find we have to educate them most of the time.
  • Review Port to port, same operator vs. different operator
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
OPERATORS/USERS: Local FTZ Perspective and Operational Realities

  • Explore CBP Officers (and national FTZ trainers) from their local perspective
  • Understand best scenarios:
    • Before I concur with your applications, I would like…
    • Before you apply for activation, make sure you do THIS
    • Facility security dos and don’ts
    • The best activation meeting I ever went to looked like this...
    • Review Implementing state law taxes
    • Ocean House Bill release update - policy impact (OFO)
    • Looking ahead to In-Bond Reg changes (OFO)
    • Forced Labor - Security (OFO)

PETROLEUM: Vessel Clearance Panel (Introduction & Advanced topics) OR Understanding the Jones Act and Its Implications  (Introduction & Advanced topics)

  • TBD
 Oper/User SPEAKERS: Deputy Chief Officer Stephen Long and Local FTZ Officers

 

PETRO Speakers: TBD

 MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
4:30pm-6:00 pm GRANTEES: Grantee Roundtable

  • Explore today's trending topics with fellow Grantees in this roundtable discussion.
 MODERATOR: Justin Ryan, JAXPORT & William Cawthern, FTZ #74 Baltimore Development Corp. 
OPERATORS/USERS: Operator/User Roundtable

  • Explore today's trending topics with fellow Operator/Users in this roundtable discussion.
 MODERATOR: Shana Head, GEODIS
PETROLEUM: Petroleum Roundtable

  • Explore today's trending topics with fellow Petroleum Professionals in this roundtable discussion.
 MODERATOR: Amy Schnipke, Marathon Petroleum
6:0pm-8:00pm TUESDAY MAIN RECEPTION

  • Connect with industry partners while enjoying a taste of New Orleans during the Tuesday night reception.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

7:30am-10:00am Annual Business Meeting MEMBERS ONLY Breakfast
9:00am-10:00am Non-Member Breakfast
10:00-10:30am BREAK
10:30am-11:30am ADVANCED: Identifying FTA Qualifications

  • Provide the different ways of checking if a product qualifies as FTA.
  • Identify how to do calculations.
 SPEAKERS: TBD

Kevin Bruning?

 MODERATOR: TBD
OPERATORS/USERS: Info on PGAs (especially FDA) and how it relates to FTZ

  • Address topic with Univeral approach (to include Grantees)
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: GRANTEE Track: Developing the skill sets necessary for managing and operating FTZ’s

  • Identify how to Equip a grantee with knowledge of needs such as import/compliance department, operations approach to run an FTZ (what’s required – inventory control system, etc.), role of customs broker, etc.
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
11:40am-12:40pm CALL FOR SPEAKERS: ADVANCED Track: FTZ Scrap, Waste & Destruction: Options for Handling in Manufacturing and Distribution Operations"

  • (Destruction, unusable options – destruction, scrap entry, expired inventory, damaged, etc.– 2019 webinar
  • Connect with FTZ Manufacturers on the A-Z Process for Scrap from Manufactured Goods
  • Explore Specifically, scrap that is subject to Tariff Remedies and AD/CVD and if possible to avoid.
  • Identify how to track, report, and what is needed to support scrap claim?
 SPEAKERS: TBD
 MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: OPERATOR/USER Track: FTZ Manufacturing in an FDA-regulated Industry

  • Explore from intermediate potential cross over with PGA session = list separately?)  
  • Identify difficulties with manufacturing in an FTZ whose products are FDA-regulated.
  • Highlight strategies to efficiently process and move goods while maintaining Customs and FDA compliance.
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: GRANTEE Track: Marketing methodologies for Foreign Trade Zones

  • Explore Marketing specific zone sites, magnet sites, local industry, and unique strategies  (Welcome expanding upon the topic)
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
12:40pm ADJOURN
1:00pm-3:00pm OPTIONAL Tour TBD

  • Meet in Lobby at 1pm.
  • RSVPs required.
  • Limited to first 50 Grantee, Operator/Users to RSVP, service provider RSVPs accepted as space allows.
  • Transportation provided & expected to return to hotel by 3pm.
  • Questions? Call 703-309-6640
3:30pm-6:00pm OPTIONAL Tour TBD

  • Meet in Lobby at 3:30pm.
  • RSVPs required.
  • Limited to first 40 Grantee, Operator/Users to RSVP, service provider RSVPs accepted as space allows.
  • Transportation provided & expected to return to hotel by 6pm
  • Questions? Call 703-309-6640