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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, October 18, 2026

TBD TBD charity opportunity to come
5:30pm-6:30pm Registration & Attendee Reception

Monday, October 19, 2026

 

7:30am-8:00am Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00am-8:20am Opening Remarks & Welcome

  • Review key association developments and provide an event overview.
 SPEAKER:
Katie Tangman, Columbia Sportswear		 MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
8:20 - 8:40 am USTR Perspective

  • Explore latest USTR developments
  • USTR Leadership: Jennifer Thornton
    • (Contact: Victor Ban, USTR)
    • Handle invite thru Ron Sorini – per Jeff
8:40am-9:40am Taking it From the Top – The CBP HQ Perspectives

  • CBP Focus and priorities • The Future of Port/Trade Resources •
    ACE and Other CBP Budget Priorities • Specific challenges CBP is facing and
    the impact to trade
INVITED SPEAKERS:
Commissioner Scott, Acting EAC Sabatino, Acting EAC Thomas, CBP		 MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
9:40am-10:10am REFRESHMENT BREAK
10:10am-11:10am FTZ Board Update

  • Review FTZ operational developments.
 SPEAKER INVITED: U.S. FTZ Board  MODERATOR: James Grogan, KROLL
11:10am-12:00pm 2026 Regional FTZ: Driving economic decisions for FTZs

  • Local factors with Operator Panel - supply chain, renewable, etc.
  • Expand discussion to Rail transportation & FTZ as applicable
 SPEAKERS: Connie Le Fevre, City of San Diego, David Harlow, etc. 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
Operators/Users Track: CPSC E-Filing Requirements & Timelines

  • Review lessons learned from non-FTZ entries filing CPSC as part of the session.
 SPEAKER(s): Chris Smith, IKEA MODERATOR: Katie Tangman, Columbia Sportswear
GRANTEE Track: Grantee CBP Best practices

  • Explore ideal strategies for compliance
 INVITED SPEAKERS: Denise Yanez & CBP Asst. Port Director West from Phoenix  MODERATOR: TBD
PETROLEUM: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
 SPEAKERS:
TBD		 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 : TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR TOPICS: GRANTEE TRACK: Economic Development Benefits impact FTZ to local markets

  • Understand how to highlight the significance in community to enhance the message
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
OPERATORS/USERS Track: Trade Enforcement: Company vs. Individual liability

  • Desc. TBD
 SPEAKERS: David Murphy, GDLSK MODERATOR: TBD 
PETROLEUM: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
  

SPEAKERS: TBD

 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
Operator/user Track:TBD SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
GRANTEE TRACK:FTZ Budget Management (or Enhancing the Zone Value Proposition: Funding User and Operator Benefits)

  • Explore compliance with regulations for appropriate use
  • Review ways to increase the level of service provided to existing and prospective operators.
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
PETROLEUM: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
 SPEAKER: TBD 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
GRANTEE Track: FTZ Board Changes-Navigating Uncertainty 

    • Desc. TBD
 SPEAKERS : TBD MODERATOR: TBD
OPERATOR/USER Track: New’ Pharma / cold chain FTZ operations

  • Review Pre-covid and Covid era zone usage
  • Explore Growth post covid and vision for sustaining and growing FTZ use
  • Understand operational challenges unique to Pharma vis-à-vis CBP and PGAs

PETROLEUM: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
 OPER/USER INVITED SPEAKERS: Jessica Rosen or Michael Eissig of UPS, Angela, Pfizer and KPMG (Jason Given and team)

 

 

PETRO SPEAKERS:
TBD

 OPER/USER MODERATOR: TBD

 

PETRO 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, October 20, 2026

 

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

  • Review Outlook/trade developments of the day & local zone environment
 SPEAKERS: TBD  MODERATOR: TBD
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, KROLL 
9:30am-9:40am BREAK
9:40am-10:40am FUNDAMENTALS: Transfer of Merchandise, Movements, withdrawals and special handling

  • Identify discrepancies
  • Review reporting responsibilities
  • BONUS Grantee 202 Webinar — click here to purchase.
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: ADVANCED Track: Handling inventory in a Manufacturing environment BOOT CAMP

  • Explore beyond on the basics in taking a deep dive into inventory from manufacturing perspective
  • Address Country of Origin & USMCA
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
OPERATOR/USER Track: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
PETROLEUM: Perspective

  • Explore the complexities of imports, exports, FTZs, FTAs & Duty Drawback as they relate to the renewable energy sector.  The session will also cover CBP's approach inventory measurement requirements, audits, and key recordkeeping considerations unique to   renewable operations.
 INVITED SPEAKERS: National Petroleum
Chemist/Gauger Manager: Robert Munivez; National Account Manager, Office
of Field Operations for Petroleum Natural Gas and Minerals- CEE: Bryan Gray;
Assistant Center Director for Partnership Petroleum, Natural Gas and Minerals
CEE: Jeffrey Saum; Assistant Director for Petroleum Natural Gas and Minerals
Center: TJ Kendrick; Center Director, Petroleum Natural Gas and Minerals
Center: David McGurk)		 MODERATOR: TBD
10:40am-11:10am REFRESHMENT BREAK
11:10am-12:10pm FUNDAMENTALS: Periodic Reporting & Regulatory Requirements & Inspections

 SPEAKER(S): TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: ADVANCED TRACK A step-by-step Guide on what to do before/after an activation request

  • Deep dive into activation process
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
OPERATOR/USER Track: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
PETROLEUM: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
 SPEAKERS:
TBD		 MODERATOR: TBD
12:10pm-1:10pm LUNCH
1:20pm-2:20pm  General session: Unlocking the FTZ Workforce: The Higher-Ed Connection

  • Review FTZ Industry Profession Opportunities
 SPEAKER: Chris, JR, etc. MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
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
ADVANCED Track: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR:TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: OPERATORS/USERS: Supply Chain Structure Challenges

  • Understand job/outsource/relocation dynamics
  • Address Data visibility gaps
  • Review Bottlenecks and accountability
  • Respondents encouraged to identify other supply chain challenges to address

PETROLEUM: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
 Oper/User SPEAKER: TBD

 

 

 

PETRO INVITED SPEAKERS: TBD

 OPER/USER MODERATOR:TBD

 

PETROLEUM MODERATOR:TBD
3:10pm-3:40pm REFRESHMENT BREAK

3:40pm-4:30pm

  

FUNDAMENTALS: Professional Development in the FTZ industry

  • Learn from a panel of Grantee, Operator/User and Service Provider professionals on how they navigated their careers within the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones program.
  • Gain first-hand insight into these roles, hear from those who have transitioned across industries, pick up tips for success
  • Explore their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges ahead in this field.
 Speakers: TBD Moderator: TBD
3:40pm-4:30pm CALL FOR TOPICS: ADVANCED Track: Info on PGAs & How it Relates to FTZ

  • Review applicable PGAs such as FDA, EPA, NITSA, etc.)
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
OPERATORS/USERS: Local FTZ Perspective and Operational Realities

    • Explain CBP's role in FTZ Board applications 
    • Outline best practices and do's and don'ts with activations, facility security, and compliance reviews.
    • Provide an overview of FTZs in the Port of Kansas City's area of responsibility

PETROLEUM: TBD

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

 

 

 

 

 

PETRO Speakers: TBD

 OPER/USER MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ

 

PETROLEUM MODERATOR: TBD
4:30pm-6:00 pm GRANTEES: Grantee Roundtable

  • Explore today's trending topics with fellow Grantees in this roundtable discussion.
 MODERATOR: Justin Ryan, JAXPORT
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
6:00pm-8:00pm TUESDAY MAIN RECEPTION

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

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

7:30am-10:00am Annual Business Meeting MEMBERS ONLY Breakfast
9:00am-10:00am

10:00am - 10:30am

 Non-Member Breakfast

BREAK
10:00-10:30am GENERAL: Administration economic success story

  • Review supreme court decision status
  • Explore results of IEEPA
 SPEAKER: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
10:30am-11:30am ADVANCED: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
CALL For Speakers: OPERATORS/USERS: Duty Drawback Parity between FTZ and Non-FTZ Duty Drawback Claims  

  • Explore how these differ, what are your liabilities, requirements, etc.
 SPEAKERS:
TBD		 MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: GRANTEE Track: How Best to Marketing FTZs to promote overall outcomes  

  • Explore a Focus on potential users as target audience
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
11:40am-12:40pm ADVANCED Track: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
 SPEAKERS: TBD
 MODERATOR: TBD
CALL FOR SPEAKERS: OPERATORS/USERS Track: CF3461 Estimates, Regulations, Supplemental

  • Explore current status, challenges, tariff impacts, changes in CBP expectations, weekly and supplemental estimates, etc.
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR TBD
GRANTEE Track: TBD

  • Desc. TBD
 SPEAKERS: TBD MODERATOR: TBD
12:40pm ADJOURN