Monday, September 23
8:00-8:45AM | Breakfast on Your Own
8:00AM-5:00PM | NCBFAA Registration Desk Opens
Hall of Battles
8:45-9:00AM | Call to Order & Welcoming Remarks
Regency CD
9:00-9:15AM | Preparation for Hill Visits / Discussion of Issues from Congressional Meetings
Regency CD
Looking for last-minute tips to get ready for your Day on the Hill? Join us for some practical advice on making the most of your time with Congressional representatives and Senators. Ensure your voice is heard and your day is a success!
- Leah Ellis, NCBFAA
Legislative Committee Chair; Compliance Operations Manager, JAS
Moderator: Nicole Bivens Collinson, NCBFAA Legislative Advisor; Managing Principal, Operating Committee, International Trade & Government Relations Practice Leader, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
9:15-10:00AM | Air Cargo in Focus: TSA’s Latest Developments
Regency CD
A TSA representative will provide updates on recent changes and how TSA and Indirect Air Carriers (IACs) can ensure that the industry remains secure and efficient in a rapidly changing world.
- Marc Rossi, Industry Engagement Manager, Air Cargo Division, Policy, Plans and Engagement, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Moderator: Donna Mullins, NCBFAA Transportation Committee Member; President, Mullins International Solutions; Vice President, Kale Info Solutions Inc.
10:00-10:15AM | Break
Hall of Battles
10:15-11:15AM | Duties, De Minimis & Deference – An Update on the Most Provocative Customs Issues
Regency CD
AD/CVD as well as 301/232/201 continue to raise policy and entry questions warranting clarification on multiple fronts. Meanwhile, brokers are growing increasingly concerned with expectations in filing de minimis with limited data from unreliable parties. And now that the Supreme Court has overturned Chevron deference, are any court decisions ripe for change? NCBFAA leadership along with CBP officials discuss how we innovatively are exploring and addressing these issues.
- Karen Damon, NCBFAA Treasurer; Vice President, Regulatory Compliance, Mohawk Global Logistics
- Lenny Feldman, NCBFAA General Counsel & Customs Counsel; Managing Partner, Operating Committee, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
- Alexander Amdur, Director, AD/CVD Policy and Programs Division, Office of Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Moderators:
- Sandra Langford-Coty, NCBFAA Customs Committee Chair; Director of Operational Development, A.N. Deringer
- Ralph De La Rosa, NCBFAA Customs Committee Vice Chair; President, Imperial Freight Brokers, Inc.
11:15AM-12:00PM | Legislative Committee Session
Regency CD
Curious about the hot topics for this year's GAC and how to gain Congressional support for our white papers? Join us as we review key talking points, position papers, and provide answers to all your questions. We’ll review some of the meetings scheduled by the APNs and equip you with the knowledge and confidence to effectively engage with your Congressional representatives and Senators.
- Nicole Bivens Collinson, NCBFAA Legislative Advisor; Managing Principal, Operating Committee, International Trade & Government Relations Practice Leader, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
Moderator: Leah Ellis, NCBFAA Legislative Committee Chair; Compliance Operations Manager, JAS
12:00-1:15PM | Lunch with Keynote Speaker - Brandon Lord
Capitol AB
- Brandon Lord,
Executive Director of Trade Policy and Programs, Office of Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Introduced By: Jose D Gonzalez,
NCBFAA President; President, Jose D. Gonzalez CHB
1:15-1:30PM | Transition Break
PAC raffle and announcements.
- Jenette Prince,
NCBFAA PAC Chair; National Trade Control Manager, Kuehne + Nagel Inc.
1:30-2:30PM | FMC Insights from Commissioner Bentzel
Regency CD
This session will explore the latest developments in the maritime industry, including regulatory updates, industry challenges, and emerging trends.
- Carl Bentzel, Commissioner, Federal Maritime Commission
Moderator: Ashley Craig, NCBFAA Transportation Counsel; Co-Chair, International Trade and Logistics Group, Venable LLP
2:30-3:05PM | Get Ready: CPSC Electronic Certificates for Imports are Coming
Regency CD
It has been a long time coming, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission is now poised to begin mandatory filing of electronic certificates (as early as mid-to-late 2025) for imported consumer products after a lengthy process of engaging with the trade.
An expanded pilot is now underway for importers and brokers to participate voluntarily. Discover what's ahead as CPSC's Sabrina Keller walks you through the details and answers your questions.
- Sabrina Keller, Deputy Director, Office of Import Surveillance, Consumer Product Safety Commission
Moderators:
- Adam Lees, NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) Vice Chair; VP of Customs Brokerage, Alba Wheels Up International, Inc.
- Mike Lahar, NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) Chair; Manager Regulatory Affairs, A.N. Deringer, Inc.
3:05-3:45PM | Organic Enforcement Just Got Real
Regency CD
Six months after the USDA National Organics Program launched the electronic Import Certificate, the agency begins "hard" enforcement on September 19. Learn firsthand what this means for brokers as Dr. Jenny Tucker shares her insights on the challenges
and successes of these first six months and offers tips for brokers going forward.
- Dr. Jennifer Tucker, Deputy Director, National Organics Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Jonathan Veley, Director, International Trade Activities, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Moderators:
- Mike Lahar, NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) Chair; Manager Regulatory Affairs, A.N. Deringer, Inc.
- Monica DeMars, NCBFAA Area 5 Board Representative; Senior Manager Compliance, C.H. Robinson International, Inc.
3:45-4:00PM | Drawback Legislation…Again?
Regency CD
Believe it or not, the trade and CBP are looking to streamline and correct some of the aspects of drawback that didn’t make it through when TFTEA was introduced. The NCBFAA Drawback Committee leads will discuss the trade facilitation bill from Senator Cassidy and H.R. 7864 and what that means for drawback claimants and brokers.
- Dave Corn, NCBFAA Area 2 Board Representative; Executive Vice President, Comstock C.J. Holt
- Michael Cerny, NCBFAA Drawback Committee Chair; Chief Legal Officer, Charter Brokerage LLC
4:00-5:00PM | Election Talk with Jessica Taylor
Regency CD
What are the predictions for the 2024 Elections? The NCBFAA PAC is pleased to sponsor Jessica Taylor from the Cook Report, who will share their predictions on the outcome of the elections. She will discuss the House, the Senate, and the Presidential race. This session is a must attend event.
Stay informed on the political landscape and what it could mean for our future!
- Jessica Taylor, U.S. Senate & Governors Editor, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter
5:00-5:15PM | Closing Announcements
Regency CD
5:15-7:00PM | Drawback Committee Meeting (Open to all NCBFAA Regular Members)
Capitol A
5:30PM | Dinner on Your Own