11:30 am - 12:00 pm

Registration & Networking

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm

Luncheon

12:35 pm - 12:45 pm

Welcoming Remarks

Sonja Johnson, Executive Director, GVSU's Van Andel Global Trade Center and 2026 Michigan World Trade Week Planning Committee Chair

12:45 pm - 1:25 pm

Luncheon Keynote Presenter

Tobias Banik, Regional President of tesa North America and 2026 Michigan World Trade Week Chair

1:25 pm - 1:45 pm

Networking Break

1:45 pm - 2:30pm

Breakout Session 1 Topics

a.) How a Government Affairs Strategy Supports Global Sales and Supply Chains. Speakers: Cary Justice, Vice President–International Legal, Global Public Policy & Government / Industry Affairs, Amway and Laura Build, Lead Advisor for Public Policy, Amway

b.) FTZ & Duty Drawback - How Do These Programs Work & How Can Exporters Take Advantage? Speakers: Josh Carlisle, Senior Corporate Counsel & Trade Administration Leader, DENSO and Rachelle Crile, Owner, Prism Drawback Consulting Services LLC

c.) How Michigan Exporters Are Working Effectively with Customers in Canada, A Practical Canadian Customer Perspective on Today’s Cross-border Trade Environment.  Speaker: Jennifer Shilson, Principal, Miller Canfield’s Windsor Office

2:30 pm - 2:45 pm

Networking Break

2:45 pm - 3:35 pm

Breakout Session 2 Topics

a.) How a Government Affairs Strategy Supports Global Sales and Supply Chains. Speakers: Cary Justice, Vice President–International Legal, Global Public Policy & Government / Industry Affairs, Amway and Laura Build, Lead Advisor for Public Policy, Amway

b.) International VAT - Managing The Nuances. Speaker: Julio Cesar Valdez, International Consulting Senior Manager, Plante Moran's Monterrey, Mexico Office

c.) AI - How Is AI Used in Operations for Exporters? Speakers: Dakoyta Greenman, Owner/Founder, Westwood AI and Terrence D. Kalley, Co-founder/President, TradeConnect

3:35 pm -  3:45 pm

Transition to Next Session

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm

Breakout Session 3 Topics

a.) Doing Business with Canada. Speaker: Mark Scullion, Consul General Canada, Detroit Michigan Office

b.) Financial Requirements of Export Compliance. Speaker: Vic Garcia, KYC Relationship Officer at JPMorgan Commercial Bank

c.) Finding Global Customers/Markets. Speakers: Aaron Fahrner, Vice President of Grain, Cooperative Elevator Company and Casey O’Neill, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at RoMan Manufacturing

4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Networking Reception
Following Conference