Description

The traditional NAFTZ in-person Fundamentals course continues to be held in February in 2025 and will again co-locate with the annual Legislative Summit in Washington, DC. Save the date! More information and details coming soon.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Monday, February 24, 2025,

• 1:00- 6:00pm eastern
  • Includes 1:00 -5:00 pm Seminar & 5:00 - 6:00 pm Reception at host hotel

Tuesday, February 25, 2025,

• 7:00am -6:30pm eastern
  • includes 7am-12pm Seminar & TENTATIVE capitol hill tour & Rec. 3-6:30pm  

• In person seminar to cover:
  • Review the FTZ Program Overview
  • Understand Benefits, Zone Types
  • Explore Application Process, Zone Status & Activation
  • Evaluate Inventory Control & Recordkeeping, Merchandise Handling
  • Understand FTZ Admissions
  • Explore Transfer of Merchandise
  • Review Periodic Reporting  
  • Evaluate Regulatory Requirements & Inspections process

OPTIONAL Wednesday, February 26, 2026

• 8:00am -5:00pm eastern
  • includes optional Congressional Hill Visits 

BONUS: VIRTUAL ONLY - Grantee 202 trainings included in 2025 Fundamentals of FTZs registration fee

• (Virtual only) Grantee 202 - below are included in one's fundamentals registration (if you seek only to attend online Grantee 202 sessions - Click Here)
  • Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, 1:00-3:00pm
    • VIRTUAL Grantee 202 (Part A) Session to review
      • Analyze tactics for Administering your zone
      • Review Marketing strategies for your zone
      • Understand Zone Schedule
      • Identify Periodic reporting requirements
      • Explore Agreements impacting FTZs
  • Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, 1:00-3:00pm
    • VIRTUAL Grantee 202 (Part B) Session to review
      • Distinguish between Application types
      • Examine Designation 
      • Review the Activation process
      • Translate nuances to Production Authority
      • Understand Zone Operations: (Admissions, withdrawals, Special handling/bonded transportation, ICRS)
        

BONUS: Educational Credentials  

NAFTZ will undergo the application process closer to the event to offer CCS/CES/CPE credit. 

Additionally, Attendance can be applied towards certification or recertification of your Accredited Zones Specialist (AZS) or Certified Zones Specialist (CZS) designation.

 By attending this in-person 2025 Fundamentals of FTZs Seminar you will have the information you need to obtain your Certified Zone Specialist (CZS) certification -noting anyone who attends the entire Fundamentals course, can bypass the online courses and immediately sit for the CZS exam. Learn more about CZS here.

PARTNER with NAFTZ

NAFTZ a number of great ways to illuminate your brand, reach your target audience and generate great intel. Our standard sponsorship offerings are available and happy to further customize based on your goals. 

HOTEL 

1177 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

The Madison Washington, DC, A Marriott Property (recently rebranded as Le Meridien Madison, Washington, DC), is the official hotel for the Legislative/Fundamentals Summit 2024 is steps away from national monuments, restaurants, dining and the White House - in the heart of DC. The ideal location to have government officials take part in the summit panels and for easy access to take your trade issues direct the Hill on Congressional Visits Day. 

Book online here or call 202-862-1600 (Option #1 for reservations) and reference “NAFTZ” to book your room at the NAFTZ discounted rate of $259/night + tax, based on availability as a limited number of rooms have been reserved. If you have any issues securing the discount rate, please contact ASAP - Victoria Cartwright vcartwright@naftz.org or 202-331-1950 ext. 225.

To learn more about the walk-able hotel location and directions for your arrival in the heart of Washington, DC visit the website here.

SPEAKERS

William Cawthern is the Director of Foreign-Trade Zone #74 with the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), the economic development agency for the City of Baltimore. In his role, William serves as the Grantee for the FTZ, with a service area including Baltimore City and six surrounding counties. Importing through the Port of Baltimore, FTZ #74’s active operators are in the metals, automotive, “roll-on, roll-off” equipment, third-party logistics, and consumer products industries. In addition to his FTZ responsibilities, William acts as the lead economic development officer for the Industrial and Logistics sector of Baltimore, driving business development efforts to attract and support manufacturers, distributors, and transportation functions of the local supply chain. 

William’s previous career experience focused on corporate real estate, specializing in transaction management, financial analysis, and portfolio strategy for office and industrial property users. His clients included staffing firms, professional service companies, global consumer brands, and a propane distributor. This diverse background instilled a well-rounded understanding of corporate operations and a deep appreciation for high-quality client service.

William holds a degree from Colgate University and a master’s of urban planning degree from CUNY Hunter College. 

Kelly M. Steward is the FTZ and Trade Compliance Manager with LLFlex, LLC. Kelly currently manages all aspects of import and export compliance for LLFlex’s two Foreign Trade Zones in Louisville, KY and High Point, NC.Ms. Steward has 15 years of experience in Customs Brokerage (Import and Export) as well as Customs and Trade Compliance field.Kelly has been a Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) since 2019 and holds a B.S. from Murray State University.About LLFlex, LLCLLFlex, LLC is a leader in packaging materials and industrial laminate solutions for the building & construction, wire & cable, and consumer packaging & other printable substrate markets. The company has manufacturing operations in Kentucky and North Carolina. LLFlex has sales and supply chain offices in the US, UK and China and markets its products through its network of global agents and partners.   

Gabrielle Yarbrough is a Customs Compliance Analyst and Foreign-Trade Zone Specialist for Kubota North America located in Gainesville and Jefferson, Georgia. She graduated from Young Harris College with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Public Policy with a minor concentrated in Russian History. Gabrielle started at Kubota four years ago as a Service Planner and recently helped to implement one of the largest subzones in the state of Georgia. Subzone 26P encompasses 11 production lines across seven factories producing120,000 units annually of lawn and farm tractors, professional turf mowers, skid steer loaders and four-wheel utility vehicles

MODERATORS

Day 1:

Shane M. Williams comes to EY as Managing Director|Global Trade after serving as the Economic Development Director for the Port of Houston Authority. In this role he oversaw the Port Authority’s Foreign Trade Zone No. 84, one of the largest FTZ’s in the United States that consists of more than 50 FTZ sites within the larger zone. Included were five sites exclusively owned and operated by the Port Authority and William’s team.

After taking over the Grantee role in 2010, the FTZ saw over 100% growth and expansion in the first three years. Under his direction, the zone continued to see this exponential growth, and from 2019 to 2022 led the value of exports from FTZ 84 to surpass $6 billion and the value of shipments from the zone to the U.S. market to top $2 billion. The zone is responsible for more than 14,000 direct full-time jobs yearly.

After 5 years of exclusively running FTZ 84, Williams was tasked with creating a new department for the FTZ program and the first Economic Development Department at Port Houston. As Economic Development Director, Williams built partnerships with brokers, site selectors and real estate professionals, forging real estate opportunities designed to bring new cargo to Port Houston. He worked in tandem with the Port’s Real Estate division to offer economic incentive packages to yield successful alliances. After the creation of this market, and working with the Houston Industrial Real Estate community, Houston saw unprecedented growth, with multiple distribution centers of over 1 million square feet for the first time in the history of the market. This growth also led to an increase in Port Cargo of over 10% for 3 straight years.

Williams serves on the Executive Board for Texas Association of Business, as Representative of the Southeast Region. Additionally, he serves as the Chairman of the Board for the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones. An acknowledged FTZ and Economic Development expert, Williams has addressed groups that include the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones, Texas Association of Business, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, Area Development, International Economic Development Council and Connect Industrial. He is a graduate and former Letterman of Baylor University, husband to wife Brittany, and proud father to son George, and daughters Smith and Press.

Day 2: 

Sean Lydon, President // ISCM, Inc.

With a distinguished track record of service within NAFTZ, Sean Lydon has not only chaired but actively contributed to several key committees, including the Program Committee, Advocacy Committee, and Membership Committee. Currently serving as President of ISCM, which he founded in 2011, Mr. Lydon has experience successfully passing legislation in the U.S. Congress and has secured favorable U.S. Customs rulings. His extensive experience in trade, advocacy, and business operations uniquely positions him to guide the NAFTZ towards continued success.