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.
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
Monday, May 19, 2025 | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm | ||
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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 Remarks – Nicole 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 | |
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 |
Opening Remarks Luncheon Sponsor Remarks Keynote Speaker DEC of the Year Award Presentation The Global Brain Trust – DEC Exchange Tom Dustman, NADEC Vice Chair, Moderator |
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BREAKOUT SESSIONS
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GRAND BALLROOM |
CHINESE BALLROOM |
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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 |
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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 |
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3:25 – 3:40 |
Networking Break Sponsored by: Missouri DEC and ONE Ocean Network Express |
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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 |
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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. |
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5:20 – 5:30 |
Closing Remarks in Grand Ballroom Tom Dustman, NADEC Vice Chair and Director of Sales, Americas, Sunnen Products Company |
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5:30 – 7:30 |
Networking Reception in District Ballroom, Sponsored by PNC Bank |
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WiFi Sponsored by:
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Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 9:00 am – 1:30 pm |
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9:00 – 11:15 |
Special Legislative Training Session (BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND) 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.
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. |
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11:15 – 11: 30 |
Networking Break |
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11:30 – 12:00 |
Networking Lunch – Sponsored by: San Bernadino International Airport – FlySBD |
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12:00 – 1:30 |
NADEC/DECs Special Meeting – Planning for the Future |
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HILL VISITS |
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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. |
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2025 Sponsorship Opportunities
Market your company to this targeted audience.
Corporate and Local DEC sponsorship opportunities are available.
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!
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
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.
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.
