Top policymakers and industry experts will share their perspectives at the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade's (CONECT) 20th Annual Northeast Trade & Transportation Conference, April 12-14 at the Newport Marriott Hotel in Newport, R.I.

On Wednesday, April 13, Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection R. Gil Kerlikowske will deliver the keynote address on Customs' Trade Transformation initiative. On Thursday, April 14, Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Mario Cordero will address the changing business and regulatory environment for ocean carriers. Also on Thursday, Hun Quach, Vice President for International Trade at the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), will articulate private-sector positions on critical trade matters. Other timely topics that will be discussed at the conference include: U.S. Customs regulations, free trade agreements (FTAs), Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) shipping requirements, port productivity and labor, ocean carrier alliances, and export compliance, among others. Peter Friedmann, CONECT's Washington Counsel, will present his popular "Off the Record" and Washington forecast sessions.

The Coalition of New England Companies for Trade is a nonprofit, member-based business association focused on international trade and transportation. Incorporated in 1991, CONECT now serves more than 1,200 members representing over 300 U.S. companies and organizations, including major importers, exporters, government agencies, and providers of related services.

For further information about CONECT's 20th Annual Northeast Trade & Transportation Conference, go to www.conect.org/event/TT16eventinfo.