Global Trade • January February 2023 • DATEBOOK

Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, Washington, D.C., or via Zoom

“A New Framework for Trade” is the theme of this gathering of leaders in international trade from across the U.S. and around the world. Explore the trade landscape and look toward the future of trade.

FEB. 12-15

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture hosts commissioners, secretaries, and directors of agriculture from around the nation to hear representatives of federal agencies, congressional leaders and industry stakeholders address pressing agricultural and food policy issues.

FEB. 13-14

More than 2,000 companies representing the full industrial supply chain from over 55 countries are expected. “Don’t miss your chance to forge the relationships your company needs to grow its business in this promising region that puts innovation first,” say organizers.

FEB. 19-22

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) presents the premier event for the retail supply chain ecosystem. You’ll find 50+ breakout sections, 100+ industry experts and presentations and 2,000+ retail supply chain leaders.

FEB. 20-24

FreightWaves brings together leaders in global trade for a week-long deep dive into the supply chains of various industries including retail, consumer packaged goods, automotive, and heavy industries.

FEB. 21-23

The alphabet soup in the event title refers to the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, which just happens to be the same region banking on the second annual event to facilitate trade and economic investment. You’ll find speakers, exhibits and networking aplenty.

Join the 2,000+ Trans-Pacific Maritime Conference attendees who will hear the latest market forecasts, analysis, expert opinions and more concerning container shipping, freight rates, labor issues, etc. If you want to meet with shippers, carriers, port officials, 3PLs, freight forwarders, government officials and … um … Peyton Manning, then you must be here.

MARCH 6-9

With more than 40% of Germany’s seaborne cargo being handled at the Port of Hamburg— which is the country’s largest seaport and Europe’s third-largest container port—it’s small wonder they call it the “Gateway to the World.” Learn more about the port, Hamburg, and European logistics at this event.

The initials stand for Project Cargo/Breakbulk, and heavy-lift solutions are the “future projects” that will be discussed at the second annual expo and networking opportunity for procurement professionals, forwarders, shipping line reps, port officials, road haulers and equipment makers.

MARCH 9-11

Global Logistics Alliance expects 1,000 attendees from 80 countries for its 8th annual event that is open to all professionals in the international logistics field. Wouldn’t a one-on-one meeting with global attendees be a good way to share business opportunities and enjoy global friendship?

MARCH 13-15

The largest trade mission organized by the U.S. Commercial Service’s International Trade Administration includes this forum and accompanying trips to nearby countries March 9-16. The aim is to help U.S. businesses seeking to expand into new markets.

MARCH 15

FinTech and FreightTech come together as FreightWaves hosts experts who will discuss the intersection of financial and supply chain innovation.

More than 900 supply chain professionals from across the world connect, learn, share, and get front-row seats to where their world is headed. They’ll enjoy four keynote speakers, 150 educational seminars and countless, hands-on demonstrations.

MARCH 22-23

“Leverage AI to Build a Reliable and Transparent Green Supply Chain” is just one of the topics at this gathering running concurrently with the European Green Steel Summit.

MARCH 28-30

After an exciting inaugural year in 2022, “The Only Generalist Food and Beverage Trade Show in the U.S.” showcases products to key importers, food service companies, distributors, retailers, and wholesalers. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture pavilion displays products from small and medium-sized U.S. food and beverage companies.

The 10th anniversary event includes a tour and networking reception arranged by the Piraeus Port Authority, plus fabulous speakers, eye-catching exhibits, and plenty of solutions to industry challenges.

MARCH 29-31

International Wood Products Association— whose members are U.S. importers and consuming industries, offshore manufacturers and service providers that facilitate trade— presents its annual gathering where attendees learn from and interact with leaders in market intelligence, regulatory compliance and corporate problem-solving.

APRIL 11-13

Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) presents its 27th annual conference themed “2023-New Trends in Trade.”

APRIL 13-14

Widely regarded as the premier event for the CFIUS—Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States—bar, this conference provides invaluable insights on repositioning your transaction planning amidst a rapidly evolving global landscape.

APRIL 17-19

A result of last year’s combining of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trade Symposium and the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Conference, the summit returns with industry speakers, panel discussions and workshops highlighting the latest requirement updates and best practices for navigating today’s complex supply chain challenges.

APRIL 18-20

The 29th such event features 50 exhibitors, 35 world-class transportation and logistics speakers and about 350 attendees from across the intermodal industry. Included is a comprehensive technical site visit to Durban Port and a lively evening networking reception.

APRIL 19-20

You’d expect this event subtitled “Time for Construction Embracing the Circular Economy” to be geared toward architects, builders, developers, engineers, and real estate pros, but the International Supply Chain Education Alliance and TruEventUS also encourage supply chain, delivery, sourcing, and procurement pros to attend as well.

APRIL 30-MAY 3

It’s the 132nd edition of the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses and World Food Logistics Organization convention that’s designed for senior-level warehousing and logistics executives looking for solutions to key business challenges and opportunities.

MAY 1-4

Why does the highest-profile event dedicated to promoting foreign direct investment in the U.S. typically draw more than 3,000 attendees? Must be the summit’s reputation for facilitating connections between investors, companies, economic developers, and industry experts.

MAY 3-5

Asia Pacific’s leading naval and maritime defense show offers unrivalled access to the fast-growing regional market, attracting an elite audience of decision makers, buyers and officials from navies, agencies, and maritime companies worldwide.

MAY 3-4

Customers want faster delivery times and an easier return system. To deliver this, retailers need to adapt their supply chain, and have a seamless warehousing and distribution system. This exhibition provides a hub to help businesses meet these expectations and stay ahead in this demanding industry.

MAY 16-18

About 25 world-class logistics and transport experts address the second annual gathering of more than 300 shippers, government officials, logistics industry principals, academics, harbor professionals, procurement decision makers and more.

MAY 17-18

Best practices for end-to-end supply chains are the focus of this event that features 100 speakers from supply and demand planning, manufacturing excellence and logistics and distribution execution.

MAY 20-23

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and National Restaurant Association present “The Largest Foodservice Marketplace in the Western Hemisphere.” Join U.S. food and beverage company reps engaging with thousands of buyers in the restaurant, lodging and foodservice industries.

MAY 24-26

The North American Rail Shippers Association returns with awesome presentations and speakers. This year’s event is held in conjunction with Traffic Club of Chicago’s Annual Dinner and Golf Outing.

JUNE 4-7

“Growth Through Disruption” is the theme of the Warehousing Education and Research Council event with three keynote addresses, facility tours, networking opportunities and 70+ peer-reviewed sessions on warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment.

JUNE 6-8

More than 120 countries are represented at this event whose exhibitors and sponsors include cargo owners, ocean carriers, freight forwarders, ports/terminals, heavy haulers, equipment companies and more.

JUNE 6-9

The program includes the C-level Ocean Leadership Conference, Blue Talks, AfterWork social schedule and much more aimed at fostering closer collaboration and knowledge sharing in the shipping industry. National pavilions represent countries around the world.

JUNE 7-8

Join 3,500+ downstream decision makers across capital projects, reliably & maintenance, and shutdown & turnarounds. Feast your eyes on 150+ engaging booths and take expo tours that guarantee face time with industry problem solvers.

JUNE 13-15

What’s billed as “the #1 global event for temperature control logistics & supply chain professionals” features a curated blend of insightful presentations, engaging discussions, valuable networking, and unmatched takeaways.

JUNE 21-22

FreightWaves encourages all supply chain and logistics professionals to attend this second-annual event where “A Blueprint for the Future” will be unveiled. Insights, predictions, and emerging technologies are presented “the FreightWaves way.”

JULY 4-6

Connecting international trade and investment is the point of this transport and logistics conference that features world-class speakers, more than 300 industry big-wigs and exhibition and sponsorship opportunities.

JULY 19

Filled with a “who’s who” of trade policy professionals, the annual WITA/WITF dinner has come to be known as “Trade Prom” for the 500 attendees. Organizers caution you should get your tickets early as this prom always sells out.

SEPT. 11-14

Meet with world-class suppliers, discover innovative solutions, and find the tools to improve productivity and increase profits at “North America’s Largest Metal Forming, Fabricating, Welding and Finishing Event.”

SEPT. 11-13

Intermodal Association of North America brings the industry together to exchange ideas, introduce new products/services and discuss the state of the intermodal supply chain.

SEPT. 12-14

The biggest maritime transport event on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion includes a comprehensive technical site visit to the sponsoring Port Reunion. Networking, speakers, and exhibits are also on tap.

SEPT. 13-15

The inaugural transport logistics and air cargo Southeast Asia (tlac SEA) includes exhibitors representing airlines, air and seaports, transport and airline management, logistics providers, technology providers and many others.

SEPT. 18-20

Foodservice, distributors, export agencies, manufactures, retailers and service providers are welcome to “The Gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America.” The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) recruited qualified, international buyers from the Americas, the Caribbean and Africa who are interested in an array of U.S. food and beverage products.

SEPT. 26-28

Representatives of shippers, ocean carriers, ports, logistics providers, road transporters, export packers and many more showcase innovative solutions to aid industry progress globally and foster high-value deals from across the breakbulk supply chain.

OCT. 1-4

The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals present this “one-stop shop event” presenting the industry’s latest innovations, strategies, and best practices. With 100 sessions spanning the entire supply chain, attendees can tailor the expo to themselves.

OCT. 8-11

Africa Logistics Network and Airfreight Logistics Network for Africa meet concurrently toward an aim of making a strong community of medium sized freight forwarders. This will mark the first face-to-face meeting since the pandemic began.

OCT. 31-NOV. 2

Now in its 21st successful year, the biggest container ports, shipping, and transport logistics event in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations includes speakers, networking opportunities and more than 50 exhibitors.

NOV. 6-8

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and Brussels Airport team for this conference that brings together more than 300 decision makers from across the globe to network, showcase their companies and products, as well as learn and debate pressing issues affecting the entire industry.

NOV. 7-9

Experts, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, educators and more discuss the key factors impacting freight markets and the latest trends pushing our industry forward at this FreightWaves event.

NOV. 28-30

Hosted at the heart of the European breakbulk market, AntwerpXL provides a platform for the breakbulk, ro-ro, heavy lift and project cargo industry that delivers valuable connections and unforgettable experiences for visitors and exhibitors alike.

NOV. 28-30

The 30th such event begins with a comprehensive technical site visit to the Port of Cotonou and is followed by a lively evening networking event. About 35 world-class transportation and logistics experts talk trade, challenges, and investment opportunities.