Calendar

The U.S. Government views the sale, export, and re-transfer of defense articles and defense services as an integral part of safeguarding U.S. national security and furthering U.S. foreign policy objectives. Authorizations to transfer defense articles and provide defense services can help meet the legitimate needs of friendly countries, however, the U.S. strictly regulates exports and re-exports of defense items and technologies to protect its national interests and peace and security of the broader international community. As described in §124.1, an agreement approved by Defense Trade Controls Licensing is required for a U.S. person to provide a defense service to a foreign person, an authorization to manufacture defense articles abroad, or to establish a distribution point abroad for defense articles of U.S. origin for subsequent distribution to foreign persons. 

Please join us for an interactive discussion of Export Authorizations for Defense Trade & Services, including Licensing and Technical Assistance Agreements (TAAs). Questions related to this topic are encouraged in advance and can be sent to naita@naita.org for inclusion in the presentation if received by February 2. 

The Export Authorizations discussion will be led by Marc Binder, co-founder and principal partner with International Trade Compliance (ITC) Strategies, an export/import trade compliance business, which offers a wide range of services from one-time compliance assessments to the development of complete corporate compliance programs. 

 

Speaker:
Marc Binder
Co-Founder & Principal Partner
International Trade Compliance (ITC) Strategies

Prior to joining ITC Strategies, Marc was the Director of Customs Compliance for Goodrich Corporation, where he was responsible for managing the Corporate Customs Compliance program. Prior to Goodrich, Marc was Director of Customs and Export Compliance for TRW Automotive, and prior to that he was Manager of Import and Export Licensing and Compliance for Lockheed Martin – Government Electronics Systems in Moorestown, NJ. 

Marc recently completed his second term as President of the Society for International Affairs (SIA) and has transitioned from his active role on the SIA Board of Directors to now serve as an Advisor to the Board. During his time on the SIA Board, he also held the office of Secretary/Treasurer from 2016-2018 and was Director of Planning and Education from 2006 – 2016.   

Marc is a former two-term member of the Department of Commerce Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC) and a former three-term member of the Department of State, Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG). Marc is a licensed Customs Broker and was certified in the fields of Defense logistics and Hazardous Materials Transportation. Marc has been active in the International Logistics, Export and Import fields for the past 30 plus years.   

Marc holds a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and has graduated from the Wharton Management Program, University of Pennsylvania. He also received a certificate in Transportation and Distribution Management from Pennsylvania State University as well as training in Defense Packaging of Hazardous Materials for Transportation at the School of Military Packaging Technology at Aberdeen Proving Grounds.  

Marc speaks regularly at conferences and seminars in the U.S. and Internationally on Import, Export and Customs Issues. Marc is a native of Philadelphia, PA and now resides in the Annapolis, MD area. 

Thanks to Baker Donelson, our Trade Compliance Roundtable Series Presenting Sponsor, this event is free for NAITA Members, with a registration fee of $35 for non-members. If you’re not a current member, Join NAITA now to benefit from membership through 2023: NAITA’s 40th Anniversary Year!

Please contact NAITA at naita@naita.org if you need further information.

Please join NAITA, the Export Alabama Alliance, and Innovate Huntsville for a webinar discussion on Financing Working Capital with SBA with speakers from Regions Bank and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Congrats! You signed that lucrative contract with an international customer. Now how are you going to pull it off? Join us to learn how you can finance international sales by leveraging the SBA Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) to finance the international transaction before and after the shipment goes out the door. Protecting yourself from payment risk and growing globally are not mutually exclusive!

We will also discuss eligibility for firms that export indirectly.

If your buyer/client is a domestic business that exports your product or service, EWCP financing is available to your firm as an indirect exporter. To lean more, register for the SBA Export Working Capital Program (EWCP) presentation with Regions Bank hosted by NAITA.

Speakers for this program:

 

David Leonard, Export Finance Manager for the Office of International Trade at the U.S Small Business Administration. David covers Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. In this role David assists in successfully facilitating the financing for both new and established businesses in the export business. His regular responsibilities include working with Banks and Business Development Corporations to structure the financing and advise on international working capital needs of small businesses.

 

Syed Murtaza, Global Trade Finance, Regions Bank. Syed meets the working capital needs of Corporate & Commercial banking clients via Global Trade and Supply Chain Finance solutions. He is a senior banking executive with 20 years of experience across various debt and trade finance products. Strong track record of deal origination, structuring, credit evaluation and execution in structured trade and export finance. Syed has broad experience across sectors with a particular emphasis in renewable power, middle market corporate finance for public and private clients.

 

Register today for this free webinar to find out how your company can gain access to working capital with SBA.

A link to join the virtual event will be sent closer to the event.

REGISTER TODAY for the 2023 NAITA FMS Industry Day featuring USASAC
April 13, 2023 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

The North Alabama International Trade Association (NAITA) will host Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Industry Day featuring the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC) on April 13. NAITA FMS Industry Day has been held annually for more than 10 years to provide the business community with an update on the security assistance enterprise and FMS opportunities around the globe.

USASAC, which is headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, leads the AMC Security Assistance Enterprise; develops and manages security assistance programs and foreign military sales cases to build partner capacity, support COCOM engagement strategies, and strengthen U.S. global partnerships.

BG Brad Nicholson, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC), will provide the senior leader perspective on foreign military sales and security assistance across the globe.

Additional representatives will discuss regional operations updates. U.S. Government speakers and industry panels will also discuss how small business can get involved.

The FMS Industry Day is a continuation of NAITA’s series of Industry Days with the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC), and the event attracts a national audience. Speakers will discuss global business opportunities through FMS. The program will conclude with a networking reception during the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Biergarten under the Saturn V.

 

Note: The appearance of the USASAC delegation at the event does not constitute DoD or Army endorsement of the event.

 

NAITA appreciates our Corporate Sponsors of this Event:

      

           

        

HOTEL: The Huntsville Marriott at the Space & Rocket Center adjacent to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is offering a NAITA Room Block for $169 USD per night.
Rooms are available starting Wednesday, April 12, 2023 and ending Saturday, April 15, 2023.
Last Day to Book: Monday, April 3, 2023
Click Here to Book your group rate for NAITA FMS Industry Day Room Block

Please contact NAITA at naita@naita.org for further information.

Thursday 5/18/23 | 40th Anniversary World Trade Day Luncheon | USMCA with the USTR

Additional Events Taking Place During World Trade Week:

Tuesday 5/16/23 | Free Webinar: Introduction to Exporting | Presented by the Alabama International Trade Center

 

World Trade Week is an annual national celebration recognizing the importance of international trade to the U.S. economy. NAITA’s 40th Anniversary World Trade Week Celebration draws international business executives and community leaders from across North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley to celebrate international business success and to highlight the impact of trade to our local, regional and national economies.

NAITA promotes economic growth through Trade Education, Advocacy and Connections. As a business-driven organization, NAITA has been committed to increasing knowledge, interest, and activity in international trade for 40 years. Please see below for the further information. Event detail and links to register are coming soon.

Sponsorships available.

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Contact naita@naita.org for further information.

NAITA World Trade Week will feature the 40th Anniversary World Trade Day Luncheon on Thursday, May 18, 12:00 pm at The Westin Huntsville.

Our keynote speaker is Mr. Daniel Watson, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Western Hemisphere! His office is responsible for developing and implementing U.S. trade policy with Latin America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada. Mr. Watson also served as the Deputy Chief Negotiator for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The topic of his keynote address will focus on USMCA.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020, supports mutually beneficial trade leading to freer markets, fairer trade, and robust economic growth in North America. The Agreement creates more balanced, reciprocal trade supporting high-paying jobs for Americans and guarantees a level playing field for American companies, workers, and farmers. 

USMCA recognizes the fundamental role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as engines of the North American economy. In fact, Mexico and Canada are the top two export destinations for U.S. SME goods. The USMCA includes a dedicated chapter on SMEs – a first in a U.S. trade agreement – as well as other key provisions supporting small and medium-sized businesses.  

Daniel Watson, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Western Hemisphere Office, and the Deputy Chief Negotiator for the USMCA, will discuss opportunities and challenges of the USMCA and benefits to U.S. businesses at NAITA’s 40th Anniversary World Trade Day Luncheon on 5/18/23, at The Westin Huntsville. 

Canada is the largest single export market for the United States – 2nd largest market for Alabama – and it is a highly receptive market for U.S. goods and services. Mexico is home to many world-class, highly competitive manufacturing firms and global companies, and Mexico’s trade relationship with the U.S. amounts to almost $2 billion a day in two-way goods and services trade, with Mexico being the 4th largest export destination for Alabama.  

Whether a company currently exports to Canada and Mexico or is new to exporting, the importance of developing a strategic approach to these markets and understanding the opportunities created by USMCA is critical to success. 

To view the main USMCA webpage on the USTR website, click here. 

Registration for Individuals and Reserved Corporate Tables are available for this event. Register today as seating is limited.

Please contact naita@naita.org if you are interested in sponsoring the event or if you need further information.

SAVE THE DATE for the next NAITA Trade Compliance Roundtable presented by Baker Donelson

BATTLEFIELD CYBER: How China & Russia Are Undermining Our Democracy & National Security

 

The NAITA Trade Compliance Roundtable will be followed by a NAITA Networking Social. Location TBA.