BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//6.5.2//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:28@mitaonline.org DTSTART:20260514T133000Z DTEND:20260514T223000Z DTSTAMP:20260415T201621Z URL:https://mitaonline.org/events/2026-world-trade-conference/ SUMMARY:2026 World Trade Conference DESCRIPTION:Global Trade at a Crossroads: Security\, Strategy and the Midwe st Advantage\nJoin the Midwest International Trade Association (MITA) for its premier annual World Trade Conference on Thursday\, May 14th—an esse ntial gathering of global business leaders\, policymakers\, and exporters shaping the future of international commerce. Building on years of impactf ul programming\, this conference consistently delivers expert insights on critical topics like tariffs\, supply chains\, workforce strategy\, and gl obal market expansion\, alongside high-level speakers including economists \, industry executives\, and government leaders. The MITA World Trade Conf erence has become a cornerstone event during World Trade Week\, known for its unmatched networking opportunities\, practical takeaways\, and Midwest -focused perspective on global trade. This year’s theme\, “Global Trad e at a Crossroads: Security\, Strategy and the Midwest Advantage\,” prom ises timely\, actionable intelligence for companies navigating an increasi ngly complex international landscape—making it a must-attend event for a nyone serious about growing their global footprint.\n\nThis conference is the perfect platform for professionals in the field of international trade to come together and exchange knowledge and ideas. We are also proud to p resent the MITA Global Trade Award to a company that has demonstrated exce ptional dedication to international commerce. Join us as we celebrate thei r leadership and the significant impact they have made on the global trade landscape.\n\nOur conference offers many networking opportunities over co ffee and lunch\, during breaks\, and at the concluding reception hosted by FNBO with special guests The Chicago International Trade Commissioners’ Association - CITCA.\n\nSo don’t wait! Don't miss out on the opportunit y to network with industry leaders\, gain valuable insights on the latest trends and developments\, and expand your business connections. Sign up fo r the conference TODAY and take your business in international trade to th e next level!\n\nSPEAKERS:\nBeth Richardson\nConsul General of Canada in M inneapolis\nTopic: Leveraging Nebraska-Canada Ties to Mitigate Global Ris k\n\n Nebraska-Canada trade updates.\n Recent developments in Canada-U.S . relations.\n Regional supply chain dynamics amid global volatility.\n\n Ambassador Darci Vetter \nPrincipal\nSower Strategies\, LLC\nand\nKellie Meiman\nSenior Counselor\nMcLarty Associates\nTopic: Trade Policy Dynamics in a Turbulent Era\n\n What comes next\, now that "emergency" IEEPA tari ffs have been declared unconstitutional\, and what market openings can we expect from the trade deals announced by the Trump Administration?\n With President Trump scheduled to visit Beijing in May\, can we anticipate sta bilization of this critical relationship?\n Will the ongoing USMCA review preserve North American trade arrangements and inject stability into thes e critical relationships?\n What will be the impact of ongoing trade poli cy uncertainty to Midwestern companies\, farmers and ranchers?\n\nCicely B atie\nPolicy Advisor to the Governor\nOffice of Governor Jim Pillen\nTopic :  Nebraska Trade: Advantage Agriculture\n\n Discussing the last few yea rs of Governor Pillen’s international trade work.\n How his trade work helps build up Nebraska agriculture and the goals for the upcoming year.\n \nStephen Zambo\nFounder and CEO\nThe AGL Group\nTopic:  Reshaping Global Logistics: Geopolitics\, Automation\, and the Vanishing Human Touch\n\n Will be sharing insights on the forces reshaping global logistics from tig htening vessel space and volatile freight rates to geopolitical disruption s like Iran.\n Emerging vessel fees and increasing carrier consolidation. \n The growing shift toward automation and what’s lost as the human ele ment disappears from supply chain execution.\n\nErin Saxby\nVice President of Enterprise Data &\; AI\nFNBO\nTopic:  AI at the Crossroads: Strate gic Thinking for Trade Companies Ready to Start or Scale with Gen AI\n\n Navigating the AI Crossroads: Move past the uncertainty facing today's bus inesses and professionals.\n Balancing Hype vs. Reality: Align AI risks a nd trends with your specific strategic goals.\n Starting &\; Scaling: Gain practical insights into industry approaches and the challenges of gro wth.\n\nCaleb Hall\nDirector\, US Customs Brokerage\nScarbrough Internatio nal\, LTD\nTopic:  Tariff Talk: Breaking Down the Latest on IEEPA\, Secti on 122 and Section 232\n\n IEEPA refunds and CAPE status.\n Section 122 - Implementation and looking ahead.\n Section 232 Updates - Simplificati on\, but not necessarily easier to deal with.\n\nChamber Panel Discussion: Domestic Policy Panel\nHeath Mello\, President &\; CEO\, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce\nJason Ball\, President &\; CEO\, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce\nModerator: Alec Gorynski\, Sr. Vice President of Economic Dev elopment\, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce\nThe Chamber is currently foc used on analyzing the regulatory landscape and articulating a clear stance on key trade legislation to ensure our regional interests are represented . This advocacy is bolstered by recent infrastructure advancements and eco nomic developments that have significantly elevated our area's trade profi le and competitive edge. Our current strategic initiatives involve high-pr iority projects and active partnerships designed to deliver immediate resu lts through the remainder of this year\, while simultaneously anchoring ou r long-term vision for the next two to five years.\n\nPanel Discussion: Tr ade at a Crossroads: Navigating U.S.–China–Taiwan Economic Relations in a Changing Global Landscape\nDr. Max Yu\, Dr. Yanhui Zhao and Dr. Xiaom ing Yang\, Professors of the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship\ , University of Nebraska Omaha\nModerator: Dr. Tej Adidam\, Chairman &\ ; Professor\, College of Business Administration\, University of Nebraska at Omaha\nAs global supply chains evolve and economic interdependence deep ens\, trade among the United States\, China\, and Taiwan continues to shap e the broader international economy. This panel will explore emerging tren ds in global commerce\, technology and innovation ecosystems\, supply chai n resilience\, and the role of international institutions in promoting sta bility and cooperation. Bringing together academic perspectives and practi cal insights\, the discussion will focus on constructive pathways forward in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.\n\nDATE:  Thursday\, May 14\, 2026\n\nTIME:\n7:45-8:30 am:  Registration\, Breakfast\, Coffee and Networking\n8:30-3:30 pm:  Conference (includes lunch)\n3:30-5:30 pm :  Networking Reception Sponsored by FNBO\n\nFEE:\nPlatinum Members:  Fr ee (up to 10 attendees free)\nGold Members:  Free (up to 5 attendees free )\nSilver Members:  Free (up to 2 attendees free)\nBronze Members:  Free (1 attendee free)\nRemote Members:  Free (1 attendee free)\n\nAdditional Member Attendees (after all free spaces have been filled):  $75/person\n Non-Members:  $150/person\nStudents/Retirees:  $35/person\nChamber Perso nnel and Economic Developers:  $50/person\n\nLOCATION:\nTiburon Golf Club &\; Banquet Facility\n10302 South 168th Street\nOmaha\, Nebraska\n\nFo r more information about the conference and the speakers\, click HERE! ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mitaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/0 2/2026-1-1-scaled-e1771435506263.png CATEGORIES:Conference LOCATION:Tiburon Banquet Facility\, 10302 S 168th St.\, Omaha\, NE\, 68136\ , United States GEO:41.154733;-96.185205 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=10302 S 168th St.\, Omaha\, NE\, 68136\, United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Tiburon Banquet Fac ility:geo:41.154733,-96.185205 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR