Members & Invitation Only I EACC Florida Transportation, Logistics & Customs Meeting

The global supply chain is susceptible to various threats, including terrorism, and cyber-attacks, so many countries worldwide have created voluntary supply chain security programs. Participating in these programs demonstrates a commitment to improving cargo security practices and ensuring shipments’ integrity. To that effect, the US created the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT). In exchange for demonstrating a secure supply chain, participants enjoy many benefits, including a reduction in customs exams.

Join us at the beautiful Blue Lagoon offices of Pernod Ricard on February 26 for an update on key features of CTPAT including benefits for participants and a discussion about best practices.

If you are an importer, exporter, customs broker, carrier, consolidator, or otherwise involved in international trade, this meeting is for you!

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

• The evolution of CTPAT’s human rights due diligence requirements
• Supply chain mapping – the value add for CTPAT compliance and beyond (think UFLPA, disruption resilience, etc)
• CTPAT as a vehicle to prompt positive bias from government regulators

EXPERT SPEAKER

• Shawn Harwood, Trade Investigations Specialist – Squire Patton Boggs

EVENT SCHEDULE

11.30 am – 12.00 pm: Arrivals/registration
12.00 pm – 1.30 pm: Presentation & discussion
1.30 pm – 2.00pm: Lunch & networking

LOCATION

Exact location to be communicated to confirmed guests only.

For details on how to receive an invitation, please contact Christina Sleszynska at [email protected]

SPEAKER BIO

Shawn Harwood is a nationally recognized trade investigations specialist in Squire Patton Bogg’s International Trade & Foreign Investment Practice, based in Washington DC. His broad expertise supports the practice’s work in regulatory investigations, including customs compliance and sanctions, trade and government contract disputes, and international partnerships.

Shawn’s unique background offers clients critical support in addressing issues related to export control policies and regulations, antidumping/countervailing duties, and enhancing white collar and trade investigations. He also works with clients to develop supply chain risk mitigation strategies and implement compliance and due diligence programs.

Shawn served as a career special agent and international attaché with US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). After retiring from government service in 2023, he founded a consultancy specializing in supply chain risk management, human rights due diligence and customs regulatory compliance.

——————————————

Why a dedicated Task Force?

With the second-largest foreign trade zone network in the U.S., Florida is home to 11,500+ logistics and distribution establishments. The broader wholesale trade, transportation, and logistics industry accounts for over 67,000+ establishments and employs more than half a million individuals across the state. Evolving geopolitics, recurring supply chain disruptions, the “greening” of the industry and increasing regulatory requirements are impacting global trade and it is expected that trade will become less global and more regionalized with a renewed focus on the Transatlantic Corridor – North America, Latin America and Europe.

While there are a number of entities and professional groups – federal, State and local – that serve these industries and their professionals to advance their interests, few if any have a transatlantic focus or specifically serve European companies and professionals from these industries present in Florida. And whereas specific know-how and expertise represent a competitive advantage for any company, the issues confronted by the sector are the same for all.

EACC Florida’s Task Force is loosely inspired from a similar TF run by EACC Auvergne-Rhone-Alps: https://eacc-ra.com/task-forces/.

Mission: to bring together active professionals who understand the benefits of sharing best practices across industries, ensuring that there is no silo thinking.

Role: to organize meetings on a regular basis to address strategic issues, share findings and best practices and make mutual recommendations for improvement in a given sector of activity. Chatham House rules or any other confidentiality rule might be used to allow for open exchange during the meetings.

Task Force Members: representatives of EACC Florida Member companies with interests in the transportation/logistics industry invited to serve on the Task Force.

If you wish to receive further details about the Task Force, please contact Christina Sleszynska at [email protected]

Many thanks to our Task Force Members!