MITA’s World Trade Conference
May 18, 2022 8:15 am - 5:30 pm
REGISTER FOR EVENT HERE
(Choose May)
MITA’s World Trade Conference — Global Recovery Amidst Turbulence
The Midwest International Trade Association (MITA) will host its annual World Trade Conference on May 18, with an in-person event at the Embassy Suites conference facility in La Vista.
The conference features expert speakers and panelists addressing themes of importance to our regional economy: a panel discussion about the agricultural sector, and Nebraska’s leading role in ag production and trade; presentations on overcoming the supply chain backlog after COVID-19; economic projections for the region; and views from the Department of Commerce on how to compete and win in global procurement opportunities. Governor Pete Ricketts has been invited to offer concluding remarks regarding Nebraska and its trade exports.
With the return to an in-person format, this year’s World Trade Conference offers many networking opportunities: over breakfast and lunch, during breaks, and at the concluding reception hosted by First National Bank of Omaha.
Please join MITA as we celebrate the importance of international trade on the region’s economy and network together to share collective expertise on expanding your business.
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts (invited)
- Growing Nebraska Through International Trade
Shari Stout
Commercial Officer
Regional Manager – Middle East and Asia
U.S. Commercial Service – Advocacy Center
Topics:
- An introduction to the Advocacy Center, the process and highlighted case study.
- The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Advocacy Center is responsible for connecting the American business community to international procurement opportunities and advocating for U.S. business interests.
- In 2021, the Advocacy Center supported U.S. businesses in securing international contracts valued over $16 billion dollars!
Dr. Chris Decker
Economist
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Topics:
- Which Nebraska export markets are likely to perform well and which markets might struggle given current global economic conditions and forecasts?
- Labor force issues for Nebraska: Why are vacancy rates so high? What is driving labor force behavior? How do vacancy rates vary from place to place and why?
The Importance of the Ag Sector to Nebraska and the World:
Mike Jung
Chief Executive Officer and President, Burlington Capital International
Managing Director, Burlington Capital Ag-Venture
and
Ben Williamson
Managing Director, Burlington Capital Ag-Venture
Principal & General Counsel, Invest Nebraska Corporation
Topics:
- The Burlington Capital Ag-Venture Fund is a new seed fund endeavoring to make the Midwest the global AgTech Hub.
- Tremendous momentum in the middle of the country with entrepreneurs building innovation and technology for the future of agriculture based on a deep understanding of the real problems and realities existing in agriculture. The Burlington Capital Ag-Venture Fund is perfectly situated to facilitate and capitalize all of this momentum.
Bradley D. Lubben, Ph.D.
Extension Associate Professor, Policy Specialist, and
Director, North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Topics:
- Agriculture is a leading driver of economic activity across Nebraska and the region, with more than 1 in 5 dollars of state GDP in Nebraska coming from production agriculture and related agribusiness activities.
- While production agriculture is a relatively small share of total GDP in the United States and even in midwestern states, it is a linchpin of a broader agricultural production complex from ag inputs to production to processing and manufacturing that is a major economic engine for the region.
Greg Ibach
USDA Under Secretary in Residence
Office of Vice Pres/Vice Chancellor
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Topics:
- Amid emerging concerns about climate, consumers’ food purchases could be influenced by climate footprint scores that could further complicate the export marketplace.
- How might America and more importantly, Nebraska position our agricultural production to compete in this new paradigm?
Dr. Mitchel Herian
Project Director
UNL Bureau of Business Research
Topics:
- The Nebraska Thriving Index, a benchmarking tool designed to allow rural areas of the state to assess their performance across nine dimensions of economic and social well-being.
- A brief overview of the methodology behind the tool, plus a demonstration of the online dashboard that accompanies the full report.
Transportation Panel — Lessons Learned by Supply Chain Backlog and Covid:
Chris Adderton, Vice President, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)
- Unprecedented challenges were created by a global pandemic, political and social disruption, and military war on the European continent. These challenges have proven to be catalysts for accelerated change and innovation. The need to integrate talent and technology has never been greater.
Dennis Grady, Vice President of Ocean Product, Ascent International
- Overview of the Air and Ocean market, and what we may see as we move through 2022; the latest update on the ILWU contract talks.
Kent Grisham, President & CEO, Nebraska Trucking Association
- Current trucking issues, fuel and impacts of the war in Ukraine, and what we have learned and what we can change to avoid supply chain backlogs.
Click HERE for more information.