Acting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan will be the keynote speaker at the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) 16th annual Northeast Cargo Symposium, slated for Nov. 2, 2017, in Providence, R.I. McAleenan is expected to discuss CBP's port staffing, balancing the agency's dual missions of trade facilitation and enforcement, and regulatory matters such as the "trusted trader" initiative and the revised de minimis rule. As acting commissioner, McAleenan oversees 60,000 employees, manages a budget of more than $13 billion, and directs CBP's national security and trade facilitation operations.

This year's conference theme is "How changing technology and trade policies will reshape your business." Sessions will address such current hot topics as

• how Washington's goings-on will affect international trade;
• the effects of NAFTA renegotiation on trade with Mexico;
• supply chain applications for blockchain technology;
• CBP's approach to trade facilitation and enforcement in 2018; and
• an update on the new ocean carrier alliances.

Speakers will include CBP policymakers, carrier executives, technology providers, industry analysts, and legal experts, among others.

The Coalition of New England Companies for Trade provides advocacy and education on current transportation and trade issues affecting importers, exporters, carriers, customs brokers, government agencies, and others involved in international supply chains.

See the complete conference agenda and registration information.