Houston DEC 2nd Annual Export Conference
Join us for the 2nd Annual Export Conference, a full-day event uniting exporters, manufacturers, and industry leaders to address today’s global trade challenges. From supply chain disruptions and export financing to compliance, tax planning, and foreign trade zones, experts and officials will share strategies and solutions to help businesses mitigate risk, capitalize on opportunities, and thrive in a changing market.
Standard Registration @ $135: Ends October 22, 2025, at midnight
PNC Bank
2200 Post Oak Blvd., 19th Floor
Houston, TX 77056
Why Attend?
- Gain insights from top trade, compliance, and export finance experts
- Understand the latest shifts in supply chains, tariffs, and regulations
- Connect with government officials, industry leaders, and peers
- Walk away with practical strategies you can apply immediately
Key Focus Areas:
- Navigating supply chain disruptions and global trade risks
- Export financing, insurance, and risk management tools
- Compliance with export controls, sanctions, and enforcement requirements
- Tax planning, foreign trade zones, and market entry strategies
- Building stronger international business relationships
Whether you are new to exporting or an experienced professional, this conference provides actionable knowledge, expert guidance, and networking opportunities to help your business grow in today’s competitive global market.
Agenda:
The 2nd Annual Export Conference is your one-day passport to the latest insights in global trade. Packed with expert-led sessions and practical strategies, it’s designed to give exporters, manufacturers, and service providers a clear path forward in today’s complex trade environment.
Here’s what the morning will look like:
- 8:00 am: Registration & Networking
- 8:30 am: Welcome Remarks: Andrew Pidgirsky, HDEC Chair, Partner, Lewis Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith, LLC
- 8:35 am: “Houston: A Global Trade Leader”: John Whitmire, Mayor of the City of Houston
- 8:45 am: “U.S. Commercial Service Assistance to U.S. Exporters”: Jason Wilson, Director, U.S. Commercial Service Houston Office
- 8:50 am: “America First Exports & Investments”: Bradley McKinney, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
- 9:00 am: U.S. Department of Commerce & HDEC: Exporter Award Ceremony
- 9:10 am: U.S.- U.K. Bilateral Trade Partnership: Honorable Keith Scott, Consul General, United Kingdom
- 9:40 am: “Navigating the Current Supply Chain Environment in a Disruptive World” Panel
- Moderated by John Hark, HDEC Education Committee Chair, Director, Bertling Logistics, Inc.
- Panelists:
- Ryan Mariacher, Chief Port Operations Officer, Port of Houston
- David Zerangue, Director, Polyurethanes Global Supply Chain (Americas), Huntsman Corporation
- David Thorpe, Senior Director, Chemicals Vertical (Americas), DP World
- 10:40 am: “Current Trends in Export Financing” Panel
- Moderated by Hector Escobar, HDEC Treasurer, International Advisor, Senior Vice President, PNC Bank
- Panelists:
- Eric Miller, Regional Director, Export-Import Bank of the United States
- Mark Winchester, District Director, Houston, U.S. Small Business Administration
- Kashmira Sutaria, Senior Director – Global Banking, Vinmar International, Ltd.
- Austin Ward, Vice President of Development, Gulf Coast Business Credit
- 11:40 am: “Export Controls, Sanctions, Enforcement, and Compliance Update” Panel
- Moderated by Andrew Pidgirsky, HDEC Chair, Partner, Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith, LLP
- Panelists:
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- Tracey Anthony, VP & Chief Compliance Officer, Crane Worldwide Logistics
- Noelle Huang, Manager, Global Trade Compliance, Emerson
- Geoffrey Flowers, Special Agent, Office of Export Enforcement, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS)
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- 12:40 pm: “Impact of the Big Beautiful Bill on Doing Business Internationally” Panel
- Moderated by Adriana Dean, Tax Manager, Vexa Capital
- Panelists:
- Max Koss, Managing Director – International Tax Services, BDO
- Rolando Garcia, Tax Director, Doeren Mayhew
- Francisco Grados, Tax Partner, HL&B
- 1:40 pm: Keynote Speaker Presentation: Chris Canetti, President, FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee
- 2:00 pm: “Mitigating Export Risk: Strategies with Incoterms, Cargo Liability, & Credit Risk Insurance”
- Moderated by Jarred Montgomery, Senior Trade Manager Executive, Livingston International
- Panelists:
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- Pam Holdrup, Principal, Proven Logistics Solutions
- LaDonna Blackwell, Divisional Account Executive, Avalon Risk Management
- Paige McMahon, Trade Credit & Risk Consultant, Allianz Trade
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- 3:00 pm: “Current State of Tariffs, Compliance, Enforcement, & Mitigation”
- Moderated by Diana Urelius, HDEC Secretary, Senior Trade – Trade Compliance, Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas, Inc.
- Panelists:
- Rina Lawrence, Economic Development, Director, FTZ 84, Port Houston
- CBP Officer
- Jamie R. Adams, Director, Global Trade Consulting (USA), Livingston International
- 4:00 pm: “CEO Panel: How to Build a Vibrant Export Business”
- Moderated by Misti Jeter, Co-Founder & President, BlackPearl Technology, Inc.
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- Panelists:
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- Dan Alford, President, ARC Specialties
- Rami Touma, President, CECA Supply & Services
- Anthony Russo, Founder, President, & CEO, Russo’s New York Pizzeria
- 5:00 pm: Closing Remarks: Andrew Pidgirsky, HDEC Chair, Partner, Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith, LLP
- 5:00 – 7:00 pm: Networking Reception
