Dear DEC Chairs and Members,

As a follow-up to our September 16 communication, we are writing to share information on upcoming opportunities to share best practices, and to provide additional context regarding the appointment and reappointment process for District Export Council members.

Commerce remains steadfast in its support for DECs, and has encouraged continued engagement, programming, and close collaboration. While DECs await official appointments and reappointments from the Department, the close partnership remains, and NADEC and DECs should continue their local export promotion and support efforts and programming, in collaboration with their local U.S. Commercial Service offices.

Our service to the nationwide exporting community, and close partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service, is important to the country, regardless of the timing of an official appointment or reappointment. NADEC and the DECs should feel empowered to adapt and determine their own interim processes for membership, interim elections, and inclusion during appointment delays. Local DECs should continue their core mission supporting exporters, engaging stakeholders, and working closely with their local U.S. Commercial Service offices.

To help DECs navigate this transition, we have several upcoming webinars, which we will announce in the coming weeks. We will begin by hosting a nationwide webinar offering additional context and practical guidance. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Commercial Service, Bradley McKinney, will join to share an overview, and we will feature DEC leaders to showcase business continuity best practices being employed by several DECs across the country. These will include best practices on interim DEC governance, recordkeeping, communications, and ongoing engagement, among other things.

After the webinar, NADEC will host regional calls to reinforce this messaging, and answer questions that DECs may have. NADEC will also maintain a current directory of DEC leaders and participants under interim operations as we await appointments to support communication, coordination, and business continuity across the network during this period. We will likewise continue coordinating closely with Commerce as further information becomes available. Please be in touch with your elected NADEC regional leaders with additional questions.

Thank you for your service to exporters, your communities, and the DEC network. We appreciate your feedback and continued counsel.

Anne Burkett, NADEC Chair
Tom Dustman, NADEC Vice Chair