Let’s See your Jazz Hands! 

We are two months out from our Annual Conference in New Orleans and it is shaping up to be a fantastic – not just event – but experience. We are looking forward to hosting all of you as well as our federal government agency partners in the Big Easy.

World Series, Superbowl or Stanley Cup? With all due respect to MLB, the NFL and the NHL, the Annual Conference is NAFTZ's Championship as it provides a chance not only to hear the latest on trade and legislative issues that are front and center or that may be coming down the pike that may impact your business, your industry or across industries, but also it is a chance to hear from NAFTZ leadership and the various committees on the work that has been going on all year long. This also affords you the opportunity to talk with committees and leadership and find a spot – if you haven’t already – where you can jump in and lend your knowledge and apply your elbow grease. Thanks to the Program Committee Chairs, Trey Boring and Alia Quinn, and the entire Program Committee as well as Vice President of Events & Education, Victoria Cartwright, for working so hard over these many months to put together an excellent and timely educational line-up.

Networking? No one does it better than NAFTZ. We thank all of our sponsors and exhibitors as they contribute directly to your conference experience and we could not do it without them. The location of the Sheraton New Orleans right on Canal Street and the backdrop of the city of New Orleans as a pivotal hub for trade provide us with a perfect setting for business and trade in September.

The Executive Committee? The Executive Committee continues to work with our internal team and outside advisor, Sorini Samet & Associates, scheduling meetings on the Hill and with key federal agency representatives that have any bearing on the FTZ program. It’s no secret we are in an election year and by the time you read this, NAFTZ will have participated in meetings with CBP Acting Commissioner Troy Miller in Washington, DC along with Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Ryan Majerus to name a few keeping FTZs in the dialogue. More to report in New Orleans…stay tuned….

Advocacy Working Groups & Committees/Subcommittees? The Committees & Subcommittees have also been hard at work. As we continue to expand membership at a rapid rate, the Membership Committee is working to ensure we capture all membership categories including 3PLs while the Accreditation Committee has worked to enhance our AZS/CZS thresholds for accreditation and renewal. Add to that the Advocacy Subcommittees which are addressing USMCA, leveling the playing the field under 321, etc., as well as the Grantee Committee which is actively seeking to further engage Grantee members and outreach to non-member Grantees to expand the voice of this underrepresented and important membership group. Did I miss anyone? If I did, then come to Annual and let’s get you caught up.