Advocacy in Action: Why Engagement Matters More Than Ever

Advocacy has always been central to NAFTZ’s mission. That has not changed. What has changed is the policy environment—and the level of focus, resources, and intensity required to engage effectively within it.

Following the 2024 election, and well before Inauguration Day, NAFTZ began ramping up advocacy efforts in anticipation of a more active and fast-moving trade agenda. Since then, the pace of policy activity affecting trade and the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone program has accelerated significantly. For many members, these developments have created real operational challenges and heightened uncertainty, particularly as impacts are felt long before policy outcomes are fully settled.

In response, NAFTZ has significantly expanded its advocacy engagement—working continuously to ensure the FTZ program is understood, accurately represented, and considered as decisions are made.

Advocacy at Scale

NAFTZ’s advocacy work today is broad, sustained, and coordinated. It includes ongoing engagement with Congress, the Department of Commerce and the FTZ Board, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, CBP, and other federal stakeholders whose decisions affect FTZ operations, investment, and jobs. This work is complemented by continuous monitoring, analysis, and communication to help members stay informed in an environment where clarity is often limited.

While it is not possible to capture the full scope of this work in a single article, members can find detailed insight into these efforts through NAFTZ’s Advocacy Updates that are emailed to members and in our Zones Report every month from Melissa Irmen, NAFTZ’s Director of Advocacy and Strategic Relations.  This work is fundamentally a team effort - it includes NAFTZ staff; our Government Relations Advisors at Sorini Strategic Advisors, including Megan Costello, Ron Sorini, and their team; the NAFTZ Board of Directors and Executive Committee; and our Advocacy Working Groups—where members engage deeply on technical and operational issues to help shape informed, credible positions.

Why Member Engagement Matters Right Now

Effective advocacy depends on credibility and real-world context. Policymakers and agency officials want to understand how decisions affect actual operations, workers, and communities. That understanding comes from individual FTZ stories—shared consistently, responsibly, and constructively.

As we approach the NAFTZ Legislative Summit and Congressional Hill Meetings later this month, member engagement is especially important. For those who are able, participating in these meetings helps ensure decision-makers hear directly from the FTZ community.

We recognize that many members face corporate or organizational restrictions that limit formal advocacy activities. Sharing your FTZ story with NAFTZ staff, whether fully attributed or shared with limits on external attribution—is extremely valuable. NAFTZ works directly with members to ensure that sensitive information is handled appropriately and that only the level of detail a company is comfortable sharing is used in external engagement.

Moving Forward Together

This moment calls for informed participation and sustained engagement. Advocacy in today’s environment is not about volume or confrontation—it is about persistence, credibility, and showing up with real-world insight over time. NAFTZ remains committed to representing the FTZ community thoughtfully and effectively, and our voice is strongest when it reflects the collective experience of our members.

Thank you to everyone who continues to engage, share information, and support this work. Whether you are able to participate in person or contribute in other ways, your involvement directly strengthens our advocacy during a critical period.