CONECT Presents 14h Annual Northeast Trade & Transportation Conference

New England’s most comprehensive annual trade and transportation conference is coming to Newport, Rhode Island March 10-12, 2010. Hundreds of logistics and customs professionals will attend three days of intensive programs featuring nationally recognized speakers from government and industry on the essential developments in exporting and importing.

The Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) presents the 14th Annual Northeast Trade and Transportation Conference March 10-12, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Newport, RI. A Gala Reception and Dinner will be hosted at Newport’s Ochre Court on the famed Cliff Walk, March 11th.

This year’s “T&T” offers nationally known speakers on Customs, transportation and international trade topics. Keynote speaker is Ambassador Miriam Sapiro, the Deputy US Trade Representative. Other speakers hail from US Customs & Border Protection; various NY, DC and Boston trade law offices; US Small Business Administration; the Journal of Commerce; the Indian Embassy; IHS Global Insight; Kraft Foods; Hanjin Line America; Airline Network Services; Coalition for America’s Gateways & Trade Corridors; Sustainserv and many more US companies. Senator Lincoln Chafee, candidate for RI Governor, will present John Chafee Memorial Scholarship awards named in honor of his late father, the RI Governor and Senator.

The T&T kicks off on Wednesday March 10, with experts focused on export compliance and trade barriers. A concurrent Import Valuation and classification seminar will include a special focus on jewelry imports. An “Off-The-Record” Session will follow – a unique opportunity for all conference attendees to engage in open discussion of trade and transport concerns facing New England and beyond. No press or government officials are admitted to allow for a frank conversation; what’s right, what’s wrong, what can be improved.

Thursday and Friday’s agendas feature 32 industry and government leaders and experts who will deliver insight into urgent and controversial challenges in the changing transportation and logistics marketplace: air, truck and ocean freight regulations, logistics, security, pricing trends, supply chain service, infrastructure, and sourcing in the current economic environment. Additional panels will highlight the changing role of US Customs and Border Protection in imports and exports with an in-depth review of crucial industry topics: 10+2, Automated Export System (AES) the Lacey Act, ISF, CPSC, CBP automation system, and ACE. Trade advice and opinions will be offered by the annual panel of CONECT-member attorneys. Three major importing companies will focus on issues of Supply Chain Sustainability, aided by speakers from a “green” consultant and an ocean cargo carrier.

“The CONECT T&T will be this year’s essential opportunity to be fully briefed on the fast-paced changes in the regulation of the global logistics industry,” said Bette Little, CONECT VP and Senior Manager Customs U.S. Global Logistics, Reebok-adidas Group.

“We know that this annual conference is enormously valuable to the attendees,” said Luiz da Costa, Genzyme Trade Compliance Manager and CONECT Board member, “because our members tell us that it is one of the first items they put in each year’s budget and training schedule. They also know that terrific networking opportunities each evening will complement the intensive learning activities offered each day.”

For further details on the CONECT “T&T” Conference, go to www.conect.org.