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

2025 Registration is Now Open
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.
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.
2025 Sponsorship Opportunities
Market your company to this targeted audience.
Corporate and Local DEC sponsorship opportunities are available.


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.


Conference Agenda
Monday, May 19, 2025
Topics:
- America First Trade Policy – a panel discussion (Opening Plenary Session)
- Navigating the New Tariffs and Supply Chain Adaptations – A Panel Discussion
- The State of U.S. Export Controls
- U.S. Agriculture Exports: Shifts in Composition and Destinations
- Aerospace & Defense: Continuous Transformation
- AI-Driven Market Intelligence: Redefining the Future
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): How the EU’s Carbon Policies Are Shaping the Global Market
- Energy, Global Trade and Industry
- Local DEC specific topics:
- Structure and Non-profit Options
- Innovations and Best Practices
- Strategies for Countering the Influence of China Through Indo-Pacific Trade
- International Trade Finance Options and Alternatives
- Trade DNA Update: Creating Next Gen Traders
Keynote Luncheon:
The Honourable Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce (Invited)
(Tentative topics- what do you want to know more about? Contact: nadec@usaexporter.org)
- Critical minerals/rare earths
- Intellectual property protection when exporting
- Africa
- Argentina
- Middle East
- Service exports
- Global online presence
- India
- Cybersecurity for exporters
- DEC of the Year
- 2025 Thomas Norwalk Trade Advocate Awards
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
NADEC Legislative Training Session:(Back by Popular Demand)
- General “How-To” approach and work with your representatives
- How to apply the NADEC 5 Pillars to the discussions
Hill Visits
The communication and scheduling of the visits are the responsibility of each attendee.
* Due to the velocity of change right now, topics may be added as they become pertinent for exporters. Stay tuned!
EXIM Bank / NADEC Survey Results
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!
Market your company to this targeted audience.
Corporate and Local DEC sponsorship opportunities are still available.
We would like to thank our 2025 sponsors:
Click HERE to view the Corporate and Local DEC sponsors from last year.
DEC Sponsors
AMBASSADOR
Alabama DEC
Arkansas DEC
Louisiana DEC
Mid-Atlantic DEC
Northern Ohio DEC
Southern California DEC
Virginia/DC DEC
CONSUL
Greater Florida DEC
Nebraska 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.
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.
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.
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.
2024 Sponsorships Opportunities
Market your company to this targeted audience.
Corporate and Local DEC Sponsorship opportunities are still available.