Annual Export Conference

Navigating New Horizons: Strategies for Export Success in a Changing World

The NADEC Annual Export Conference, held annually in Washington, D.C., brings together distinguished speakers including business leaders, high-ranking U.S. and foreign government officials, exporters, trade service providers, and trade promotion agencies.

This Conference provides space for industry peers to share expertise, proven export strategies, effective resources, and more during concurrent sessions. 

Please Register by May 14th

May 19-20, 2025

The Mayflower Hotel
1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036, US

Please note: The 2025 event is currently in the planning stages. Further details will be posted as they become available. Please check back or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

NADEC 50 Year Anniversary

2024 NADEC Annual Export Conference Details

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the NADEC Engaging with Our Friends & Neighbors

The National Association of District Export Councils (NADEC) presented the NADEC 50th Anniversary Export Conference on May 13-14, 2024 at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.   

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsors

Conference Wi-Fi Sponsor

Small Business Sponsors​

DEC Sponsors

AMBASSADOR | Alabama DEC • Arkansas DEC • Indiana DEC • Louisiana DEC • Mid-Atlantic DEC • Northern Ohio DEC • Southern California DEC • Virginia/DC DEC

CONSUL | Greater Florida DEC  • Idaho DEC • Illinois DEC • Iowa DEC • Mississippi DEC • Nebraska DEC • New York DEC • North Carolina DEC • Tennessee DEC

Conference Agenda

The 2025 Conference Agenda is now available!
 
 

Monday, May 19, 2025 | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm

 

7:30 – 8:30

 

Breakfast Sponsored by:

8:30 – 8:40

 

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Anne Burkett, NADEC Chair and Executive Director, North Alabama International Trade Association (NAITA)

Gold Sponsor RemarksNicole Bivens Collinson, Managing Principal, and

Lenny Feldman, Managing Partner, Sandler, Travis & Rosenburg, P.A.

PLENARY SESSIONS

8:45 – 9:30

 

Leveraging the America First Trade Policy

John Pournoor, CEO, Government Analytica®, Moderator

Evelyn Suarez, Attorney, The Suarez Firm

Jonathan Szucs, President, Advanced Superabrasives, Inc.

Daryl Bouwkamp, Sr. Director Industry, Int’l and Government Relations, Vermeer

9:35 – 10:20

 

Navigating the New Tariffs and Supply Chain Adaptation

Jim Haynes, Director, Business Development, Rohlig USA, Moderator

Leila Aridi Afas, Global Public Policy, TOYOTA

Ed Brzytwa,  VP for International, Consumer Technology Association (CTA)

Lenny Feldman, Managing Partner, Sandler, Travis & Rosenburg, P.A.

Pete Mento, Director Customs and Trade Services, DSV

10:20 – 10:40

 

Networking Break
Sponsored by: Rosenthal Capital Group and Boomerang Carnets

10:40 – 11:25

 

The State of U.S. Export Controls

Kevin Wolf, Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Eileen Albanese, Senior Regulatory Advisor, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Matthew Borman, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

NADEC Annual Export Conference Luncheon
11:30 – 1:00

Opening Remarks
Anne Burkett,
NADEC Chair

Luncheon Sponsor Remarks
Dominic DiCamillo – Director of the Ohio State University, Centers for International Business Education & Research (CIBER)

Keynote Speaker
The Honorable Howard Lutnick (invited), Secretary of Commerce

DEC of the Year Award Presentation
James Golsen, Deputy Director General of the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service

The Global Brain Trust – DEC Exchange

Tom Dustman, NADEC Vice Chair, Moderator
Jonathan Bricker,  Arkansas DEC
Byron Goo, Hawaii DEC
Dave Shogren, Missouri DEC
Paul Bonovich, Tennessee DEC

BREAKOUT SESSIONS
 

GRAND BALLROOM

CHINESE BALLROOM

1:30 – 2:15

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): How the EU’s Carbon Policies Are Shaping the Global Market

Rick Grana, President, Impex-EMC Company – Moderator

Timothy J. Wedding, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Environmental Natural Resources

Jonathan Szucs, President, Advanced Superabrasives, Inc.

Amari Jones Scriven, Manager, Corporate Sustainability, Nucor Corporation

Trade DNA University Strategies: – Cooperation with Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) & Trade DNA University Student Engagement Methodology

Jim Anderson, Owner, ETCetera International & North Texas DEC – Moderator

Dominic DiCamillo – Director of the Ohio State University CIBER

Mariano Parlato, COO, SALO Engineering & Puerto Rico DEC

2:20 – 3:25

AI-Driven Market Intelligence: Redefining the Future

William Edwards, CEO, Edwards Global Services – Moderator

Paul Edelblut, VP Global Operations, Vantage Laboratories

John Worthington, CEO, IBT Online

New Energy Technology- Innovations Transforming the Clean Energy Landscape and their role in Enhancing U.S. Competitiveness in Global Trade

Fred Latuperissa, President, EXIM20/20 Group – Moderator

Robin Liu, CEO, Solar Depot LLC

James Campos, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade, State of Virginia

Jerry Silva, Regional Energy Development & Innovation Director, Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission

3:25 – 3:40

Networking Break Sponsored by: Missouri DEC and ONE Ocean Network Express

3:40 – 4:25

Aerospace & Defense: Continuous Transformation

Nate LaMar, Director of Intl Sales, Batesville Services LLC – Moderator

Russ Monk, Co-Founder, High Impact Technology

Conrad ‘Rad’ Bonner, VP Intl Business Development, S3

Joel Pineiro, Founder and Principal, Osiris Global Consulting

U.S. Agriculture Exports: Shifts in Composition and Destinations

Sandra Renner, Chair of the Board, FasTrack Global Expansion Solutions – Moderator

Shannen Bornsen, Associate Marketing Manager, Cargill

Martha Montoya, CEO, Ag Tools

4:30 – 5:15

Financing Exports: Collaboration between Banks, Private Credit and Alternative Strategies

Sandra Vazeen, VP International Cash Management and Trade Advisor, PNC Bank – Moderator

Peter Clement, SVP International Financing, Rosenthal Capital Group

Aerek Stephens, Director Client Care Services, EXIM Bank of the U.S., Office of Small Business

Daniel Pische, National Director of Trade Finance, SBA

Miguel Carranza, SVP, One Source Risk Management, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.

Local DEC Structure and Non-profit Options

Tee Persad, Director, Private Corporate Counsel, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.

5:20 – 5:30

Closing Remarks in Grand Ballroom 

Tom Dustman, NADEC Vice Chair and Director of Sales, Americas, Sunnen Products Company

5:30 – 7:30

Networking Reception in District Ballroom, Sponsored by PNC Bank

WiFi Sponsored by:

 
 

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 9:00 am – 1:30 pm

9:00 – 11:15

 

Special Legislative Training Session (BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND)
Chinese Ballroom

John Pournoor, CEO, Government Analytica®

John Saylor, Deputy Director, International Trade Group, Commonwealth Trading Partners

Nicole Bivens Collinson, Managing Principal, Sandler, Travis & Rosenburg, P.A.

  • General “How-To” approach and work with your representatives
  • How to apply the NADEC 5 Pillars to the discussions

The objective of the NADEC Capitol Hill Day is to increase awareness and understanding among members of Congress regarding the importance of exports to the U.S. economy, including the significance of securing new and improved market access.

11:15 – 11: 30

 

Networking Break 

11:30 – 12:00

 

Networking Lunch – Sponsored by: San Bernadino International Airport – FlySBD

12:00 – 1:30

 

NADEC/DECs Special Meeting – Planning for the Future

HILL VISITS

Following the lunch and NADEC/DECs meeting, DEC members are encouraged to meet with their State’s Congressional Representatives and/or staff members to better inform them on the importance of trade and trade legislation to our businesses and to our nation. NADEC talking points will be provided.Pre-scheduled appointments are recommended. Regional representatives on the NADEC Board are encouraged to accompany conference attendees in these meetings.

Communication with the legislative representatives and scheduling of the visits are the responsibility of each attendee.

2025 Sponsorship Opportunities

Market your company to this targeted audience.
Corporate and Local DEC sponsorship opportunities are available.

usa export conference

EXIM Bank / NADEC Survey Results

Click the button below to download the May 2024 EXIM Bank / NADEC Survey Results PowerPoint file.  

We want to be sure that we address your primary interests and key concerns regarding exporting.
We would also like to recognize those currently serving Congressional Representatives that help facilitate export growth with a special award for their support at this Conference.

We would like to hear from you!
Please take a few minutes to provide your input by February 1st via the linked survey and make plans to join us for this timely event in May today! 

2024 Sponsorship Opportunities

Market your company to this targeted audience.
Corporate and Local DEC sponsorship opportunities are still available.

We would like to thank our 2025 sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor

Opportunity Available

Gold Sponsor

Centers for International Business Education and Research

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsors

ONE logo

Conference Wi-Fi Sponsor

Small Business Sponsors

Click HERE to view the Corporate and Local DEC sponsors from last year. 

DEC Sponsors

AMBASSADOR

Alabama DEC
Arkansas DEC
Indiana DEC
Louisiana DEC
Mid-Atlantic DEC
Northern Ohio DEC
Southern California DEC
Virginia/DC DEC

CONSUL

Greater Florida DEC
Idaho DEC
Iowa DEC
Nebraska DEC
New York DEC
North Carolina DEC 

Featured keynotes and panels will be focused on Trade Policy Updates and Export Opportunities and Challenges. The NADEC Trade Policy Committee has identified timely issues that need to be addressed in order for U.S. exporters to have a fair playing field and competitive advantage in the global marketplace. 

ANNE BURKETT

Contact Anne Burkett, NADEC Vice Chair, at aburkett@naita.org with any questions.

To see last year’s conference details, view the 2023 Annual Export Conference Summary here

This is an ideal opportunity to reconnect with friends, colleagues, and customers while getting the latest updates and analyses from renowned industry experts. 

Book your hotel now. Room rates are $339. The room block expires on April 17, 2023, or earlier, if the room block is filled. Make your reservations early!

May 13-14, 2024

The Mayflower Hotel
1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036, US

The National Association of District Export Councils (NADEC) will present the NADEC 50th Anniversary Export Conference on
May 13-14, 2024 at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.  

Agenda:

Monday, May 13, 2023, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. at The Mayflower Hotel (Networking reception from 5:30 – 7 pm)

Tuesday, May 14, 8:30 a.m. – Morning training session and afternoon visit to The Hill

More Details:

High-Level Discussions

This signature event will include high-level discussions on the latest trade policy and advocacy issues impacting exporters, including The UNITED (Undertaking Negotiations on Investment and Trade for Economic Dynamism) Act, STEP (State Trade Export Program) Reauthorization, Friendshoring with our trusted allies from the UK, Australia, Canada, and trading with our neighbors south of the border. We will learn about new developments for trade opportunities with Argentina and our Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partner countries. 

Roundtable Discussions 

Roundtable Discussions will be offered in smaller groups for more in-depth discussions on exporting with specific FTA countries, Industry sector discussions including aerospace, agriculture, & manufacturing, and the impacts of key trade issues related to aluminium & steel tariffs, cyber security, export controls, and global logistics.

Supporting our local DECs is a key component of this conference. Discussions on DEC best practices will be led by DECs that have been spotlighted for robust and unique programs in a roundtable format so participants can learn how they might be able to replicate these successful initiatives with their DEC.

Trade DNA Initiative

We will also learn more about NADEC’s newest initiative: Trade DNA – A Trade Workforce Development Initiative. We would like to see this program implemented across the DECs in support of our export community.

Legislative Training Session

A Special Legislative Training Session will be held on the second morning of the conference in preparation for your meetings with your Congressional Representatives on The Hill that afternoon. 

We want to be sure that we address your primary interests and key concerns regarding exporting.
We would also like to recognize those currently serving Congressional Representatives that help facilitate export growth with a special award for their support at this Conference.

We would like to hear from you!
Please take a few minutes to provide your input by February 1st via the linked survey and make plans to join us for this timely event in May today! 

Featured keynotes and panels will be focused on Trade Policy Updates and Export Opportunities and Challenges. The NADEC Trade Policy Committee has identified timely issues that need to be addressed in order for U.S. exporters to have a fair playing field and competitive advantage in the global marketplace. 

ANNE BURKETT

Contact Anne Burkett, NADEC Vice Chair, at aburkett@naita.org with any questions.

To see last year’s conference details, view the 2023 Annual Export Conference Summary here

This is an ideal opportunity to reconnect with friends, colleagues, and customers while getting the latest updates and analyses from renowned industry experts. 

Book your hotel now. Room rates are $339. The room block expires on April 17, 2023, or earlier, if the room block is filled. Make your reservations early!

2024 Sponsorships Opportunities

Market your company to this targeted audience.
Corporate and Local DEC Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

2023 Local DEC Sponsors

The National Association of District Export Councils (NADEC) works to support the regional District Export Councils throughout the United States.

FIND YOUR LOCAL DEC

NADEC AT A GLANCE

ACCESS YOUR LEGISLATORS

OTHER RESOURCES

CONTACT US

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