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Spring Seminar Agenda

This year’s agenda include general Foreign-Trade Zone topics as well specific tracks for:

Grantees, Operator/Users, Advanced Professionals, and those learning the Fundamentals.

Sunday, May 18, 2025

5:00pm-6:30pm Welcome Reception

  • Network with FTZ Industry partners

Monday, May 19, 2025

 

7:30am-8:00am Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00am-8:30am Welcome Remarks

  • Explore the daily outlook & NAFTZ developments
 SPEAKER: James Grogan, FTI Consulting, Inc. MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
8:30am-9:30am Trade & Tariff Update

  • Review important policy impacting the Foreign-Trade Zones program.
 INVITED SPEAKERS: NAFTZ Working Group Chairs
Kirsten Herder, Lam Research Corp (User/Operator)
Shannon Kastriotis, Tesla (User/Operator)
Jason Nichols, Five Below (User/Operator)
Matt Rebman, Givaudan Flavors Corp (User/Operator)		 MODERATOR: Shannon Fura, Page Fura PC
9:30am-10:00am Trade Policy

  • Current U.S. FTZ policy discussion and updates & impact on the program
 INVITED SPEAKERS: Melissa Irmen and Megan Costello MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
10:00am-10:30am Refreshment Break
10:30am-11:30am OPERATORS/USERS: FTZ Inventory Discrepancies & Reporting: A DEEP DIVE 

  • Review the CBP rules around identifying and reporting inventory discrepancies (overages, shortages, damage, etc.) in a UIN/FIFO tracking methodology, including ways to mitigate and investigate solutions.
SPEAKER: Betty Ryan, Xylem & Maria Caniz, Caleres MODERATOR/speaker: Polia Comella
FUNDAMENTALS: FTZ Overview, Benefits, Participants & Zone Types

  • Identify benefits & review the regulatory process (review advanced webinars highlighting benefits, a roles & types
  • BONUS Grantee 202 webinars available for purchase
 INVITED SPEAKER: Jose Quinonez MODERATOR: Joe Blaskiewicz, MIC Customs Solutions, LLC
GRANTEES: New Tariff Impact on FTZ Marketing and Operations

  • Define what a Grantee needs to know relative to these tariffs that would impact prospects and existing FTZ users
 SPEAKERS: Sean Lydon, ISCM Inc., & Patty Cannon, State of DE MODERATOR: Denise Yanez, City of Phoenix
11:30am-12:30pm Lunch
12:40 pm-1:40pm OPERATORS/USERS: What are you facing in the current Zone Compliance Review from CBP? 

  • Explore the main issues CBP is focusing on with current CBP Zone Reviews.
  • Understand Perspectives from Operators around the country. What to expect?
  • Review CBP Expectations on Inventory Management (ICRS) and Requests
 SPEAKERS: Cornelia Steinert, John S James Co. & Diana Urelius, MITSUBISHI LOGISNEXT AMERICAS INC. MODERATOR: Teri Moreno, Dixie Cullen Interests, Inc.
FUNDAMENTALS: FTZ Application

  • Identify proper documentation
  • Determine delivery type & authorization requirements
  • BONUS Grantee 202 webinars available for purchase
 SPEAKER:  Torrey Chambliss, Port of Tampa Bay MODERATOR: Christine Allen, Lubbock Economic Development,
GRANTEES: Empowering Grantees: Navigating Production Authority for FTZ Growth and Success

  • Learn what is required by Manufacturers to apply for production authority
  • Define what a grantee needs to know about production authority & Equipment/Machinery
 SPEAKERS: 
Miguel Zamora, Louisville Riverport Authority, FTZ #29
Jason Poyser, ITC-Diligence Intl.
Gabi Yarbrough, Kubota Manufacturing of America 		 MODERATOR/Speaker: Justin Ryan, Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT)
1:50pm-2:20pm  FTZs in your Area

  • Review local FTZ outlooks
 INVITED SPEAKERS: Leigh Ryan, Savannah WTC, Mechelle Ngin, Port of Long Beach, & Justin Ryan, JAXPORT MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
2:20 - 2:50 pm

 

  Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: Navigating the Benefits and Risks of Your FTZ Program

  • Explore dual nature of the US Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program through a dynamic dialogue
  • Understand the economic benefits, enhanced supply chain efficiency, and successful FTZ implementations vs addressing compliance risks, common errors, and case studies of FTZ failures.
  • Review risks management strategies
  • Understand how to consider both sides of the program to achieve success.

2:50-3:20pm REFRESHMENT BREAK 

 INVITED SPEAKERS: Trey Boring, IMS Worldwide Inc & Eric Berry, Copper Hill Inc. MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
3:20pm-4:20pm OPERATORS/USERS: Zone Entry

  • Review What’s the Difference Between a Customs Release (CBP Form 3461) and a Customs Entry (CBP Form 7501)
  • Address present regulations, challenges, weekly entry process, CF3461 Estimates regulations, and how to troubleshoot issues.
 SPEAKERS: Rebecca Williams, Rockefeller Group & DeLores Ross, Omron Management Center of America, MODERATOR: Will Cawthern, FTZ #74
FUNDAMENTALS: Zone Status & Activation Process, Inventory, Merchandise & Admissions

  • Identify storage, removal, and destruction rules
  • Determine necessary authorization required
  • BONUS Grantee 202 webinars available for purchase
 SPEAKER: Bill Fisher, Cummins and Brandi Stoddard, Copper Hill MODERATOR: JR Holcolmb, Hillwood
GRANTEES: Advanced Marketing Techniques for Grantees: Creative Approaches to Generate FTZ Leads

  • Explore resources most beneficials to producing FTZ leads
 SPEAKERS: Lydia Chastain & Danielle Converse, Port of Corpus Christi MODERATOR: Shane Williams, EY
4:30pm-6:00pm OPERATORS/USERS ONLY: Roundtable

  • Join the discussion on hot topics for Operators/Users
 MODERATOR: Shana Head, GEODIS
GRANTEES ONLY: Roundtable

  • Join the discussion on hot topics for Grantees
 MODERATOR:  Will Cawthern, FTZ #74 & Justin Ryan, JAXPORT
6:00pm Adjourn
6:00pm-8:30pm Reception

Location: Meet trolley at 6pm at host event hotel for transportation to Ships of Sea Museum

6:00-7:00 Enjoy Museum Access
6:30-8:30pm Enjoy Food & Music in the Gardens

Q's call 703-309-6640

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

7:30am-8:00am Networking Continental Breakfast
8:00am-8:20am Opening Remarks

  • AZS & CZS Announcements & announce winner of the Photo Scavenger Hunt
  • Explore the daily outlook & NAFTZ developments
 SPEAKER: James Grogan, FTI Consulting, Inc. MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel, NAFTZ
8:20am-8:50am CBP State of the Trade

  • Review CBP initiatives, NAFTZ partnership, developments of impacts specific to FTZs.
 SPEAKERS: Director Bradford Slutsky and Deputy, CBP, Chief Stephen Long, CBP MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel
8:50am-9:20am Trade Policy

  • Current U.S. FTZ policy discussion and updates & impact on the program
 SPEAKER: Melissa Irmen & Megan Costello MODERATOR: Jeff Tafel
9:20am-9:50am Forced Labor

  • Review storage nuances, policy and outlook developments
  • Review UFLPA Mechanics: How to Handle a Response
  • Understanding the Penalty Process: Who, What, Why and How
  • Classification Basics: What you Should Do and Resources
 SPEAKER:  Chris Smith, IKEA MODERATOR/speaker: Katie Tangman, Columbia Sportswear
9:50am-10:20am Refreshment Break
10:20-11:20am  OPERATORS/USERS: FTZ Impact on Your Supply Chain: What Changes When Your Widget Hits the
Zone?

  • Understand and visually trace the lifecycle of a commodity from arrival at port,
    movement to FTZ, receiving/admission into FTZ, storage in inventory, and then the various
    disposition
 INVITED SPEAKERS: Maddi Krieger, QAD +Joe Blaskiewicz, MIC Customs Solutions MODERATOR: Thomas Cook, Blue Tiger International
FUNDAMENTALS: Transfer Merch / Movement / Withdrawal

  • Identify discrepancies
  • Define HMF
  • Review Reporting Responsibilities
  • BONUS Grantee 202 webinars available for purchase
 SPEAKER:
Rocio Ramirez, Givaudian Flavors		 MODERATOR: Robert Balli, P66
ADVANCED: Local Port Perspectives and Operational Best Practices

  • Explain CBP's role in FTZ Board applications
  • Outline best practices and do's and don'ts with activations, facility security, and compliance reviews.
  • Provide an overview of FTZs in the Port of Savannah's area of responsibility
 SPEAKER(S): Deputy Chief Stephen Long, CBP and Supervisory Officer Andrew Barrett, CBP MODERATOR: James Grogan, FTI Consulting Inc.
11:30am-12:30pm OPERATORS/USERS: In-Bonds:  The Ins, the Outs, and the In-betweens

  • Review how the in-bond program underpins the inbound and certain outbound benefits in an FTZ, including important details about responsibilities/timeframes and how the various in-bond parties can remain compliant and avoid penalties and liquidated damages.
 SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Smith, Rockefeller Group
Jill James, John S. James Co.		 MODERATOR: Kristen Lane, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America
FUNDAMENTALS: Special Handling, Periodic Reporting & Regulatory Requirements and Inspections

  • Understand regulations and inspection protocols
  • BONUS Grantee 202 webinars available for purchase
 SPEAKER: Sarah Messeih, KPMG LLP MODERATOR: Larry Hanson, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
ADVANCED: Extracting Additional Savings in Your Operations: "First Sale"

  • Review “First Sale” as a valuation structure that can help lower your overall duty cost if properly implemented and maintained. 
  • Understand the requirements, the ongoing compliance aspects, and how it can benefit your FTZ and your customers operations.
  • Develop a better understanding of this duty opportunity; the risks, benefits, and pitfalls; and how to present the issue to management.
 SPEAKERS: David Murphy, GDLSK LLP MODERATOR: David Sikkink, Hawaii FTZ
12:30pm Conclude

12:30-3:40pm Optional GA Port Authority FTZ Tour - LIMITED to first 30 to response