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:20260514T020712Z URL:https://mitaonline.org/events/2026-world-trade-conference/ SUMMARY:2026 World Trade Conference DESCRIPTION:Speaker PowerPoints for Today's World Trade Conference - May 14 \, 2026\nSteve Zambo - AGL\n\nErin Saxby - FNBO\n\nCaleb Hall - Scarbrough \n\n \;\nGlobal Trade at a Crossroads: Security\, Strategy and the Mid west Advantage\nJoin the Midwest International Trade Association (MITA) fo r its premier annual World Trade Conference on Thursday\, May 14th—an es sential gathering of global business leaders\, policymakers\, and exporter s shaping the future of international commerce. Building on years of impac tful programming\, this conference consistently delivers expert insights o n critical topics like tariffs\, supply chains\, workforce strategy\, and global market expansion\, alongside high-level speakers including economis ts\, industry executives\, and government leaders. The MITA World Trade Co nference has become a cornerstone event during World Trade Week\, known fo r its unmatched networking opportunities\, practical takeaways\, and Midwe st-focused perspective on global trade. This year’s theme\, “Global Tr ade at a Crossroads: Security\, Strategy and the Midwest Advantage\,” pr omises timely\, actionable intelligence for companies navigating an increa singly complex international landscape—making it a must-attend event for anyone serious about growing their global footprint.\n\nThis conference i s the perfect platform for professionals in the field of international tra de to come together and exchange knowledge and ideas. We are also proud to present the MITA Global Trade Award to a company that has demonstrated ex ceptional dedication to international commerce. Join us as we celebrate th eir leadership and the significant impact they have made on the global tra de landscape.\n\nOur conference offers many networking opportunities over coffee 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 opportu nity to network with industry leaders\, gain valuable insights on the late st trends and developments\, and expand your business connections. Sign up for the conference TODAY and take your business in international trade to the next level!\n\nSPEAKERS:\nBeth Richardson\nConsul General of Canada i n Minneapolis\nTopic: Leveraging Nebraska-Canada Ties to Mitigate Global Risk\n\n Nebraska-Canada trade updates.\n Recent developments in Canada- U.S. relations.\n Regional supply chain dynamics amid global volatility.\ n\nAmbassador Darci Vetter \nPrincipal\nSower Strategies\, LLC\nand\nKell ie Meiman\nSenior Counselor\nMcLarty Associates\nTopic: Trade Policy Dynam ics in a Turbulent Era\n\n What comes next\, now that "emergency" IEEPA t ariffs have been declared unconstitutional\, and what market openings can we expect from the trade deals announced by the Trump Administration?\n W ith President Trump scheduled to visit Beijing in May\, can we anticipate stabilization of this critical relationship?\n Will the ongoing USMCA rev iew preserve North American trade arrangements and inject stability into t hese critical relationships?\n What will be the impact of ongoing trade p olicy uncertainty to Midwestern companies\, farmers and ranchers?\n\nCicel y Batie\nPolicy Advisor to the Governor\nOffice of Governor Jim Pillen\nTo pic:  Nebraska Trade: Advantage Agriculture\n\n Discussing the last few years of Governor Pillen’s international trade work.\n How his trade wo rk helps build up Nebraska agriculture and the goals for the upcoming year .\n\nStephen Zambo\nFounder and CEO\nThe AGL Group\nTopic:  Reshaping Glo bal Logistics: Geopolitics\, Automation\, and the Vanishing Human Touch\n\ n Will be sharing insights on the forces reshaping global logistics from tightening vessel space and volatile freight rates to geopolitical disrupt ions like Iran.\n Emerging vessel fees and increasing carrier consolidati on.\n The growing shift toward automation and what’s lost as the human element disappears from supply chain execution.\n\nErin Saxby\nVice Presid ent of Enterprise Data &\; AI\nFNBO\nTopic:  AI at the Crossroads: Str ategic 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 businesses and professionals.\n Balancing Hype vs. Reality: Align AI risk s and trends with your specific strategic goals.\n Starting &\; Scalin g: Gain practical insights into industry approaches and the challenges of growth.\n\nCaleb Hall\nDirector\, US Customs Brokerage\nScarbrough Interna tional\, LTD\nTopic:  Tariff Talk: Breaking Down the Latest on IEEPA\, Se ction 122 and Section 232\n\n IEEPA refunds and CAPE status.\n Section 122 - Implementation and looking ahead.\n Section 232 Updates - Simplific ation\, but not necessarily easier to deal with.\n\nChamber Panel Discussi on: Domestic Policy Panel\nHeath Mello\, President &\; CEO\, Greater Om aha Chamber of Commerce\nJason Ball\, President &\; CEO\, Lincoln Chamb er of Commerce\nModerator: Alec Gorynski\, Sr. Vice President of Economic Development\, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce\nThe Chamber is currently focused on analyzing the regulatory landscape and articulating a clear sta nce on key trade legislation to ensure our regional interests are represen ted. This advocacy is bolstered by recent infrastructure advancements and economic developments that have significantly elevated our area's trade pr ofile and competitive edge. Our current strategic initiatives involve high -priority projects and active partnerships designed to deliver immediate r esults through the remainder of this year\, while simultaneously anchoring our long-term vision for the next two to five years.\n\nPanel Discussion: Trade at a Crossroads: Navigating U.S.–China–Taiwan Economic Relatio ns in a Changing Global Landscape\nDr. Max Yu\, Dr. Yanhui Zhao and Dr. Xi aoming Yang\, Professors of the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneursh ip\, University of Nebraska Omaha\nModerator: Dr. Tej Adidam\, Chairman &a mp\; Professor\, College of Business Administration\, University of Nebras ka at Omaha\nAs global supply chains evolve and economic interdependence d eepens\, trade among the United States\, China\, and Taiwan continues to s hape the broader international economy. This panel will explore emerging t rends in global commerce\, technology and innovation ecosystems\, supply c hain resilience\, and the role of international institutions in promoting stability and cooperation. Bringing together academic perspectives and pra ctical insights\, the discussion will focus on constructive pathways forwa rd in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.\n\nDATE:  Thursda y\, May 14\, 2026\n\nTIME:\n7:45-8:30 am:  Registration\, Breakfast\, Cof fee and Networking\n8:30-3:30 pm:  Conference (includes lunch)\n3:30-5:30 pm:  Networking Reception Sponsored by FNBO\n\nFEE:\nPlatinum Members:  Free (up to 10 attendees free)\nGold Members:  Free (up to 5 attendees f ree)\nSilver Members:  Free (up to 2 attendees free)\nBronze Members:  F ree (1 attendee free)\nRemote Members:  Free (1 attendee free)\n\nAdditio nal Member Attendees (after all free spaces have been filled):  $75/perso n\nNon-Members:  $150/person\nStudents/Retirees:  $35/person\nChamber Pe rsonnel and Economic Developers:  $50/person\n\nLOCATION:\nTiburon Golf C lub &\; Banquet Facility\n10302 South 168th Street\nOmaha\, Nebraska\n\ nFor 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