The Gateway to Global Growth

Location: PNC Bank, PNC Bank 2200 Post Oak Blvd, 18th Floor, Houston, TX 77027
Date and time: Thu, Oct 23, 2025 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Your Fast-Track to Export Success

The Houston District Export Council’s flagship Annual Export Conference is back, and it’s the one room you can’t afford to miss this year.

In a single day, you’ll gain insider strategies, direct access to decision-makers, and actionable solutions that can transform the way you do international business.

What You’ll Experience:
➡️ Dynamic CEO Panel — Hear how top executives are navigating today’s complex global trade environment.
➡️ Government Access You Won’t Get Elsewhere — Connect directly with U.S. government official for real answers to your toughest export challenges. Government agencies include: U.S. Export-Import Bank, U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Bureau of Industry & Security.
➡️ Impactful Sessions — Get timely insights on export financing, sanctions, supply chain resilience, tariffs, tax planning, compliance, insurance, and more.
➡️ Networking That Delivers — Meet the partners, peers, and policymakers who can accelerate your next global opportunity.
This is a must-attend event for companies new to exporting and importing as well as experienced exporters in manufacturing, logistics, shipping, transportation, energy, healthcare, chemicals, insurance, aerospace, food, banking, financial institutions and many others.
REGISTER TO ATTEND

Conference Agenda

8:00 am: Registration & Networking

8:30 am: Welcome Remarks

  • Andrew Pidgirsky, HDEC Chair, Partner @ Lewis Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith, LLC

8:35 am: “Houston: A Global Trade Leader”

  • John Whitmire, Mayor for City of Houston (invited)

8:45 am: “U.S. Commercial Service Assistance to U.S. Exporters”

  • Jason Wilson, Director @ U.S. Commercial Service Houston Office

8:50 am: “America First Exports & Investments”

  • Bradley McKinney, Deputy Assistant Secretary @ U.S. Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

9:00 am: U.S. Department of Commerce & HDEC: Exporter Award Ceremony

9:10 am: U.S. – U.K. Bilateral Trade Partnership

  • Honorable Keith Scott, Consul General, United Kingdom

9:40 am: “Navigating the Current Supply Chain Environment in a Disruptive World” Panel

  • Moderated by John Hark, HDEC Education Committee Chair, Director @ Bertling Logistics, Inc.
  • Panelists:
  • Ryan Mariacher, Chief Port Operations Officer @ Port of Houston
  • David Zerangue, Director, Polyurethanes Global Supply Chain (Americas) @ Huntsman Corporation
  • David Thorpe, Senior Director, Chemicals Vertical (Americas) @ DP World

10:40 am: “Current Trends in Export Financing” Panel

  • Moderated by Hector Escobar, HDEC Treasurer, International Advisor, Senior Vice President @ PNC Bank
  • Panelists:
  • Eric Miller, Regional Director, Export-Import Bank of the United States
  • Mark Winchester, District Director, Houston @ U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Kashmira Sutaria, Senior Director – Global Banking @ Vinmar International, Ltd.
  • Austin Ward, Vice President of Development @ Gulf Coast Business Credit

11:40 am: “Export Controls, Sanctions, Enforcement, and Compliance Update” Panel

  • Moderated by Andrew Pidgirsky, HDEC Chair, Partner @ Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith, LLP
  • Panelists:
  • Tracey Anthony, VP & Chief Compliance Officer @ Crane Worldwide Logistics
  • Noelle Huang, Manager, Global Trade Compliance @ Emerson
  • Geoffrey Flowers, Special Agent, Office of Export Enforcement @ U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS)

12:40 pm: “Impact of the Big Beautiful Bill on Doing Business Internationally” Panel

  • Moderated by Adriana Dean, Tax Manager @ Vexa Capital
  • Panelists:
  • Max Koss, Managing Director – International Tax Services @ BDO
  • Rolando Garcia, Tax Director @ Doeren Mayhew
  • Francisco Grados, Tax Partner @ HL&B

1:40 pm: Keynote Speaker Presentation

  • Chris Canetti, President @ FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee

2:00 pm: “Mitigating Export Risk: Strategies with Incoterms, Cargo Liability, & Credit Risk Insurance”

  • Moderated by Jarred Montgomery, Senior Trade Manager Executive @ Livingston International
  • Panelists:
  • Pam Holdrup, Principal @ Proven Logistics Solutions
  • LaDonna Blackwell, Divisional Account Executive @ Avalon Risk Management
  • Paige McMahon, Trade Credit & Risk Consultant @ Allianz Trade

3:00 pm: “Current State of Tariffs, Compliance, Enforcement, & Mitigation”

  • Moderated by Diana Urelius, HDEC Secretary, Senior Trade – Trade Compliance @ Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas, Inc.
  • Panelists:
  • Rina Lawrence, Economic Development, Director, FTZ 84 @ Port Houston
  • CBP Officer (invited)
  • Jamie R. Adams, Director, Global Trade Consulting (USA) @ Livingston International

4:00 pm: “CEO Panel: How to Build a Vibrant Export Business”

  • Moderated by Misti Jeter, Co-Founder & President @ BlackPearl Technology, Inc.
  • Panelists:
  • Dan Alford, President @ ARC Specialties
  • Rami Touma, President @ CECA Supply & Services
  • Anthony Russo, Founder, President, & CEO @ Russo’s New York Pizzeria (invited)

5:00 pm: Closing Remarks

  • Andrew Pidgirsky, HDEC Chair, Partner @ Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith, LLP

5:00 – 7:00 pm: Networking Reception (details below)