2006 NCBFAA GAC Program Set for September 18 Kickoff

Washington, DC: The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) will convene its 2006 Government Affairs Conference at the Wyndham Washington, DC hotel with general sessions on Monday September 18, highlighted by a Keynote Luncheon address by Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Ralph Basham. On Tuesday, September 19, attendees will spend the day lobbying Capital Hill. This year’s event is the best attended GAC since 2000, with more than 100 business owners and senior industry executives participating in this high-level program.
        "Every NCBFAA Government Affairs Conference is important but this one is especially so given that this is an election year," said NCBFAA President Mary Jo Muoio, "and our Representatives are anxious to hear from us if only to solidify the bonds with a part of their constituency in time for the upcoming election."
        Monday’s sessions and speakers will include:

• How to Make the Most of Your Time on the Hill 
  Lee Connor, NCBFAA Legislative Committee Chairman
  Jon Kent, NCBFAA Washington Legislative Representative
• Capital Hill Perspective on Security - Where We Are and Where We Are Headed
  Mandy Bowers, Professional Staff, House Committee on Homeland Security
  Steven Schrage, Professional Staff, House Committee on Ways and Means
• Solid Wood Packing Rule Enforcement: Lessons Learned and Information Sharing
  Cathy Sauceda, Custom and Border Protection, Custom and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
• Export Compliance Enforcement: Looking at the Freight Forwarder’s Role
  Michael Turner, Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Commerce
  Tom Fitzpatrick, Custom and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
  Vern Hill, Federal Maritime Commission, Director of Bureau Enforcement
• Custom and Border Protection Report from the Commissioner
  Hon. Ralph Basham, Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
• Latest Security Issues: New Data Requirements Prior to Departure- Who/What/How?
  Richard DiNucci, Custom and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
  Tiffany McCullen Atwell, Staff Member, Senate Finance Committee
  Geoff Powell, NCBFAA Security Committee Member
  Peggy Rutledge, GreenLine Systems, Inc.
• C-TPAT Issues- Using the Portal, Best Practices, Broker Participation
  Todd Owen, Custom and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
  Leman "Chip" Bown, NCBFAA Large Broker & Forwarder Committee Chairman 
  Hall Northcutt, AAEI President and CEO
• Airfreight Security: New Proposed Regulations Implementation/Impact
  Brandon Fried, AFA Executive Director 
  Dina Duffy, NCBFAA Air Freight Sub-Committee Member
  John Beckius, TSA, Department of Homeland Security

        "The Conference is important because it affords each of us the opportunity to keep our industry and our issues on the radar screens of our Representatives," Lee Connor, Chairman, NCBFAA Legislative Advocacy Committee. "Communication is crucial to any relationship and that includes the ongoing one we must maintain with our lawmakers to ensure that we have them in our corner when issues affecting our livelihoods arise that demand their immediate attention."
        Tuesday begins with Keynote Breakfast Speaker The Honorable Dan Lungren, (R-CA) Chairman, Homeland Security Sub-Committee (invited) and a Briefing on NCBFAA Position Papers which this year are focused on the renewal efforts on behalf of Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) as well as House and Senate port and air security legislative initiatives. Following this session, attendants will move on to their Congressional Appointments on Capitol Hill. 
        Headquartered in Washington, DC, the NCBFAA represents nearly 800 member companies with 100,000 employees in international trade - the nation's leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs), NVOCCs and air cargo agents, serving more than 250,000 importers and exporters. Established in 1897 in New York, NCBFAA is the effective national voice of the industry. Through its various committees, counsel and representatives, the Association maintains a close watch over legislative and regulatory issues that affect its members. It keeps them informed of these and other related issues through its weekly Monday Morning eBriefing, NCBFAA Quarterly Bulletin, and various meetings and conferences throughout the year.