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CALL FOR SPEAKERS and PRESENTATIONS

Annual Conference 2026: Oct. 18-21 San Diego, CA

The topics below will be considered through NAFTZ's  CALL FOR SPEAKERS and PRESENTATIONS process.  The NAFTZ Program Committee will determine speakers for sessions listed below from submissions received to speak on these topics.  The Program Committee welcomes anyone with knowledge or experience on these topics to submit an overview of their proposed session via the Call for Speakers & Presentations process.

Essential Information

  • Deadline to Submit:  April 7, 2026.

Here are the steps to be considered:

  1. Review the topics and content guidelines from the NAFTZ program committee below.
  2. For each session you'd like to be considered as a speaker for, prepare a submission for the Call for Speakers and Presentations.  Each submission will need to include:
    • Your presentation title
    • A brief paragraph summary (up to 350 words) of your proposed presentation
    • A complete list of co-presenters or panelists (including yourself) and basic information about each (Name, email, designations and company/organization affiliated with).  Each co-presenter / panelist will be sent an email from the Oxford Abstracts system which will request each to submit separately a brief bio, prior speaking experience, etc.
    • Three learning objectives that session attendees will take away from attending your session
    • Session information such as target audience, experience level, materials to be shared with participants, if the content has been presented elsewhere, etc.
  3. Go to https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/81858/submitter
    1. Log in or create a new account in Oxford Abstracts.  Please note - NAFTZ log-in information is NOT connected to Oxford Abstracts and you will need to have a separate account log-in for Oxford Abstracts.
    2.  Enter your submission information. Oxford Abstracts does allow you to return to your submission to make amendments, additions or changes. However, you must first submit information in all required fields, keeping in mind that you can return to update your submission later. All submissions need to be fully completed by the April 7, 2026 deadline.
  4. Note the Call for Speakers and Presentations deadlines:
    • Session submissions for consideration deadline:  April 7, 2026
    • Outcome notification deadline:  May 29, 2026 (or sooner, as possible)

IMPORTANT - NAFTZ Speaker & Moderator Policy

  • NAFTZ events are strictly educational—not promotional. Sales-oriented proposals will be declined.

  • We seek well rounded sessions that include a variety of perspectives from session speakers, thus should there be multiple presenters for any given session, and speakers should not all be from one firm.

  • Presentation materials (slides, handouts) must use NAFTZ event templates only - no company logos or other formats are allowed.

  • Please review NAFTZ's Speaker/Moderator Policy here.  You will be asked to confirm that you have read and understand these guidelines when submitting for the Call for Speakers.

  • We welcome proposals from across the community to broaden voices and keep content high-quality.

NAFTZ believes this Call for Speakers and Presentations process will better enable our Program Committee to identify new speakers, provide the opportunity present at our in-person events to all members and non-member constituents, and help us to continue to deliver high-quality content to our attendees.

 

Open Category - FTZ Topics not specifically identified in this Call for Presentations Below
Have a strong Foreign-Trade Zone topic that doesn’t fit under any of this year’s listed categories? Submit it Under the "Open Submissions Category". This open category welcomes proposals on any FTZ-related issue, best practice, case study, or emerging trend that will deliver clear, practical takeaways for attendees. All submissions must follow the same Call for Presentations guidelines, including educational (vendor-neutral) content, measurable learning objectives, and required materials.

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Call for Speakers: Topical Areas
Grantees Economic Development Benefits impact FTZ to local markets

  • Desired Content:
  • Understand how to highlight the significance in community to enhance the message
  • Suggested skill level: Intermediate–Advanced level preferred.
Grantees How Best to Marketing FTZs to promote overall outcomes  

  • Desired Content:
  • Explore a Focus on potential users as target audience
  • Suggested skill level: Intermediate–Advanced level preferred.
Operator / User Duty Drawback Parity between FTZ and Non-FTZ Duty Drawback Claims

  • Desired content: 
    • Explore how these differ, what are your liabilities, requirements, etc.
  • Suggested skill level:  Intermediate
Operator / User  Supply Chain Structure Challenges

  • Desired Content:
    • Understand job/outsource/relocation dynamics
    • Address Data visibility gaps
    • Review Bottlenecks and accountability
    • Respondents encouraged to identify other supply chain challenges to address
  • Suggested skill level:  Intermediate
Operator / User  CF3461 Estimates, Regulations, Supplemental

  • Desired content: 
    • Explore current status, challenges, tariff impacts, changes in CBP expectations, weekly and supplemental estimates, etc.
  • Suggested skill level:  Intermediate to Advanced
Grantee FTZ Budget Management (or Enhancing the Zone Value Proposition: Funding User and Operator Benefits)

  • Desired content: 
  • Explore compliance with regulations for appropriate use
  • Review ways to increase the level of service provided to existing and prospective operators.
  • Suggested skill level:  Intermediate
Advanced Handling inventory in a Manufacturing environment BOOT CAMP

  • Desired content: 
  • Explore beyond on the basics in taking a deep dive into inventory from manufacturing perspective
  • Address Country of Origin & USMCA
  • Suggested content:  Expand topic with real-world examples, case studies, stories, etc.
  • Suggested skill level:  advanced
Advanced A step-by-step Guide on what to do before/after an activation request

  • Desired content: 
  • Deep dive into activation process
  • Suggested content:  Expand topic with real-world examples, case studies, stories, etc.
  • Suggested skill level:  advanced

 
Advanced Info on PGAs & How it Relates to FTZ

  • Desired content: 
  • Review applicable PGAs such as FDA, EPA, NITSA, etc.)
  • Suggested content:  Expand topic with real-world examples, case studies, stories, etc.
  • Suggested skill level:  advanced

The program committee members will evaluate submissions on the following criteria:

  • Learning objectives
  • Session design including any interactive learning elements
  • Speaker(s) experience and knowledge of the subject matter
  • Speaker(s) presenting experience
  • Overall session quality and alignment with desired session content

 

Questions or Comments?  Contact NAFTZ VP of Events, Victoria Cartwright or NAFTZ President Jeff Tafel or call the NAFTZ office at 202-331-1950.

To respond to the Call for Speakers and Presentations, review the information above and then visit https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/80353/submitter to apply!