The Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) hosts its 17th Annual Northeast Trade & Transportation Conference (“T&T”) on April 2-4. The two-and-a-half day conference features dozens of trade and transportation executives covering critical industry issues via keynote addresses, live webcast, panel discussions, “town hall” meetings and a packed Off-the-Record session (no press/government present) with candid commentaries and lively interactive dialog among shippers and service providers.
High level speakers from major U.S. importing and exporting companies include: Hasbro, The Gem Group, Ocean Spray and Staples, as well as the Wine & Spirits Shippers Association. Additional daily presenters are consultants on rail, highway, port and logistics issues, plus US CBP officials, trade attorneys, ocean carriers, forwarders, academicians, environmentalists, and MIT researchers and supply chain experts.
Day One focuses on supply chain challenges, trade lane reports, port/rail infrastructure, and sustainability measures for moving cargo globally. Day Two covers trade regulation and policy - a special “Meet the Press” segment will feature industry editors on numerous recent problems faced by shippers and other issues imminent in 2014. Day Three (a half day) will feature, by popular demand, a global economic outlook by Walter Kemmsies, followed by a fast paced “Wrap-Up" session by Peter Friedmann, CONECT Counsel.
Newport, RI, a picturesque and historic seaside town, is considered by many to be the jewel of the East Coast, and it has welcomed CONECT’s T&T conference for 15 years. The Hyatt Regency Hotel on Goat Island is this year’s meeting venue. Ochre Court on the famed Atlantic Cliff Walk will be the scene of the Spring Fling Gala Dinner on Wednesday, April 3, where 250 attendees gather for cocktails, networking, dinner, live music and networking.
For conference details, go to www.conect.org or call 508-481-0424.