March 2026

In This Edition:

  • NADEC Chair
  • A Tribute
  • Trade News
  • Outreach and Education News
  • Upcoming Events
  • NADEC Partners

Book Your Hotel


Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

2800 Opryland Drive

Nashville, TN 37214, US


Register Now


Register now to get the "Early Bird" registration rate at the price of $349.00.

The "Early Bird" registration rate ends on 03/31/2026.

The price will increase to $399 on 4/01/2026.


2026 Conference Agenda



Please click the button below to view topics, round table discussions, awards,

training sessions and hill visits.

2026 Sponsorship Opportunities



Market your company to this targeted audience.

Corporate and Local DEC sponsorship opportunities are available.

Anne Burkett

NADEC Chair, Alabama DEC


Please join the National Association of District Export Councils (NADEC) for the 2026 NADEC Annual Export Conference, May 12–13, 2026, in Nashville.



This year’s theme, Global Trade in Transition, will explore the evolving trade landscape while offering valuable networking with exporters, trade advisors, and government leaders.


Experts from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the United States Trade Representative, U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Federal Reserve Bank will share insights on export initiatives, geopolitical developments, and global economic trends. Sessions will also cover artificial intelligence’s growing impact on international trade, along with regional market roundtables for the Americas, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).


In partnership with the Tennessee District Export Council and the West Tennessee District Export Council, this year’s conference will feature a special “Taste of Tennessee” program showcasing the state’s industries—from its renowned Tennessee whiskey heritage to emerging high-tech and AI innovation.


The agenda includes expert panels, networking opportunities, and unique Nashville experiences—from an opening reception in the Gulch to a closing rooftop event on the city’s famous Honky Tonk Highway.


Register by March 31 to receive the Early Bird rate, plus an additional $50 discount when booking within the NADEC hotel room block.


We look forward to seeing you in Nashville!

Bob Erwin

Senior International Business Consultant, University of Georgia SBDC


Tribute to Bob Erwin


It is with deep sadness that the NADEC Board of Directors shares the passing of our fellow board member and friend, Bob Erwin.


Bob was a true champion of the exporting community and a remarkable servant leader. He was the driving force behind the DEC Website Initiative, helping District Export Councils across the country establish and maintain websites that highlight the vital role exports play in our national economy. Through his vision, guidance, and generosity with his time and expertise, more than 28 DEC websites were created. Those who worked with Bob on these efforts will always remember his patience, dedication, and willingness to help.


Bob also played a key role in developing Export-U in 2007, which became one of the nation’s leading export training webinar platforms. Through his leadership and commitment, it has grown into a powerful resource for exporters and trade professionals across the country.


But beyond his accomplishments, Bob will be remembered for who he was as a person. As one of his Georgia DEC colleagues shared, in more than 30 years they never saw Bob without a smile. He helped launch countless careers and businesses, and he truly lit up every room he entered.

Bob’s impact on NADEC, the DECs, and the broader exporting community will not be forgotten.


We are deeply grateful for his service, his leadership, and his friendship.

2026 Trade Policy Agenda and

2025 Annual Report to Congress


Dr. John Pournoor

Trade Policy Committee Chair, Minnesota DEC


The 2026 Trade Policy Agenda and 2025 Annual Report to Congress signals a shift in U.S. trade policy toward a more strategic and enforcement-focused framework. Rather than emphasizing large multilateral trade agreements, the strategy prioritizes reciprocity, enforcement of trade laws, and supply-chain resilience. The report highlights expanded use of tools such as Section 301 investigations and stronger monitoring of foreign trade barriers that affect U.S. exporters.


Another key priority is strengthening supply chains in sectors including critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and metals to reduce dependence on concentrated foreign suppliers. The agenda also emphasizes addressing non-market economic practices and industrial overcapacity, particularly in relation to major producers.


For small and medium-sized exporters, this approach may create opportunities through improved enforcement against unfair trade barriers and more targeted bilateral trade arrangements. Overall, the report reflects an evolution in U.S. trade policy that treats trade as a tool for economic security, domestic industrial capacity, and competitive global positioning.

Special Edition: Honoring a Legacy of Trade Excellence

(1981–2026)



Fred Latuperissa

Education and Outreach Committee Chair, California Inland Empire DEC


45 Years of Powering the American Export Engine

The NADEC - Education & Outreach Committee is proud to celebrate a monumental milestone: 45 years of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) and its unwavering support for U.S. exporters.
Since its formal establishment in 1981, the US&FCS has been the "front line" of American business abroad. By linking domestic trade offices with a sophisticated global network of overseas posts, the U.S. Department of Commerce created a transformative bridge for American companies to reach international markets.

A Legacy of Public-Private Partnership

For nearly half a century, the District Export Council (DEC) network has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our federal partners. Our mission remains clear:
  • Volunteer Leadership: Guiding the next generation of American exporters.
  • Strategic Mentorship: Sharing real-world expertise to navigate complex global markets.
  • Education & Outreach: Advancing U.S. competitiveness through strong collaboration.
In 2026, we look back with pride on 45 years of connection, growth, and resilience. Together, DEC members and Commercial Service professionals continue to turn global opportunities into American success stories.

Join Us in Nashville: The 2026 NADEC Annual Export Conference

We invite all colleagues and trade professionals to celebrate this anniversary at the premier export event of the year.
  • Dates: May 12–13, 2026
  • Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center | Nashville, Tennessee
  • Focus: Commemorating 46 years of service and strategizing for the future of U.S. trade.

March 18, 2026

1pm EST


Virtual Webinar


Register here

Leading with Impact:

Elevating District Export Councils Nationwide


Join this webinar for leadership, alignment and action regarding District Export Councils.

March 26, 2026

2pm EST


Webinar


Register here

Geopolitical Shifts in Colombia and Venezuela: Implications for U.S. Exporters


Join us to better understand how geopolitical shifts may translate into renewed market access and export opportunities for U.S. businesses in Latin America.

Register Now



Early Bird Registration Ends on March 31st.

March 24, 2026

10am CT



Webinar


Register here

Resources for Oklahoma SMEs


Oklahoma SMEs don’t have to navigate international markets alone! Join us for an engaging webinar designed to help Oklahoma exporters tap into powerful federal, state, and local resources that can accelerate your company’s global growth.


Discover how to access valuable export market intelligence, expert trade counseling, compliance support, and international business connections created specifically for Oklahoma companies. Whether you’re exploring exports for the first time or looking to expand into new markets, you’ll gain practical insights and direct pathways to programs that can help you succeed internationally.


March 25, 2026

2pm - 3pm CT



Webinar


Register here

Doing Business in Mexico



Mexico is a high-growth market for SMEs—but only for exporters who know how to navigate it!

This fast-paced webinar gives you the essentials to enter and succeed in Mexico, covering market entry options, legal and tax basics, logistics, payments, and the most common exporter mistakes.


Join Ja'Nel Edens, Foreign Commercial Service Officer at US Commercial Service Mexico, to gain practical insights to help you move faster, avoid pitfalls, and trade with confidence in Mexico!

March 26, 2026

12pm - 1pm EST



Lunch & Learn Webinar


Register here

Protecting Intellectual Property Abroad


As businesses expand globally, safeguarding intellectual property (IP) abroad becomes crucial to maintaining a competitive edge. Without proper protection in international markets, your innovations and brand identity may be vulnerable to unauthorized use, potentially resulting in significant financial and reputational losses.


Join the Indiana District Export Council and the U.S Commercial Service as we delve into this topic with an attorney known for his expertise in helping companies protect their IP in foreign countries.

 

The presentation will cover:

  • The different types of IP
  • The relationship between the types of IP and exports
  • Protections, pitfalls, and other issues associated with IP in markets abroad

April 7, 2026

2pm EST



Virtual Webinar


Register here

Managing Tariff & VAT Exposure


Many companies overpay for tariffs and VAT. This webinar will cover practical and overlooked strategies including duty drawback, transaction structuring, and valuation adjustments.


The United States introduced duty drawback in 1789 to refund customs duties on imported goods that were later re-exported. Today, it remains a powerful tool for improving cash flow, reducing costs, and strengthening global competitiveness.


This webinar will walk you through real-world approaches to legally reduce the value of commercial invoices, making your business subject to lower taxes and your products more affordable to international customers. The focus will be on actionable strategies that can be implemented to improve margins, reduce prices, and strengthen trade compliance.


We’ll Cover

  • How to recover duties through duty drawback, so you don’t leave money unclaimed.
  • How using the right shipping terms can reduce duty exposure an improve costs for your customers.
  • How to reverse engineer strategies often used by importers to reduce the taxable value on your export sales

May 7, 2026



Forum


Register here

From Uncertainty to Opportunity:

Practical Strategies for Exporting in 2026


Join us for an evening filled with world-class keynote speakers, engaging panel discussions, and unparalleled business-to-business networking opportunities at 12th Annual World Trade Week Forum Event. This is your chance to connect with key trade organizations, international business groups, and extensive global resources available in Southern California.


Presented by the District Export Council of Southern California and supported by key partners such as the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce and WITOC, this gathering is essential for those ready to embrace the future of international trade. Don’t miss this opportunity to propel your trade ambitions forward!

June 4, 2026

10am - 4pm EST



In Person Seminar


Register here

Why Export?


The seminar will include:

  • Creating Your International Strategy - Market Research and Identifying Best Prospect Markets
  • Logistics Panel
  • How to Find, Qualify, and Motivate Foreign Buyers and Partners
  • Luncheon Keynote Speaker
  • Compliance and Export Documentation
  • Export Resource Panel: NC Federal and State Export Resource
  • Methods of Payment and Foreign Exchange Risk
  • Legal Considerations for Exporting
  • Speed Networking- Brasilia Churrasco Steakhouse 5 pm with drinks, dinner and Keynote Speaker

March 26, 2026

11am EST


Webinar


Register here

From Promo to Pipeline: Using AI Tools to

Drive Leads Global Visibility


Join NADEC and IBT Online for a live webinar on how to build an AI-powered marketing and sales tech stack to drive leads, accelerate pipeline, and support global growth.


Learn how AI tools can improve targeting, automate outreach, and help your team convert more prospects worldwide.

March 31- April 1 2026




Training Forum


Register here

NASBITE International Annual Training Forum 2026


The Annual Training Forum brings together global trade educators, practitioners, and industry leaders for three days of applied learning, strategic insight, and professional networking. Programming is designed to support those engaged in international trade education, export assistance, compliance, and global business development.



Who Should Attend?

  • Faculty teaching international business and trade at colleges and universities
  • International trade specialists and trainers affiliated with SBDCs, World Trade Centers, and state trade offices
  • Export practitioners, consultants, and private-sector professionals
  • Workforce development and economic development leaders supporting global growth


March 19, 2026

1pm ET / 10am PT


Virtual Webinar


Register here

Brazil's Water & Wastewater Expansion


Since the enactment of Brazil’s new water and wastewater regulatory framework in 2020, the sector has undergone a significant transformation. Public-private partnerships and service concessions have accelerated nationwide, securing more than US $68 billion in contracted investments.


Join this no-cost webinar on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 1pm Eastern (10am Pacific) to explore the growing opportunities for U.S. suppliers in Brazil’s expanding water and wastewater market


March 19, 2026

9am EST


Virtual Webinar


Register here

Kazakhstan's Mining Horizon


Kazakhstan is spotlighting expanding opportunities in its mining, coal, and critical minerals sectors. The Ministry of Energy recently released its Draft Plan for the Development of Coal-Fired Power Generation, outlining a path to add 7.6 gigawatts of new capacity and attract more than $16 billion in investment through 2030. The plan includes the construction of six new coal-fired power plants, along with significant technical upgrades to existing facilities.

March 19, 2026

10:30am CT


Virtual Webinar


Register here

Expanding Global Opportunities

for the Oil and Gas Industry


The global energy landscape is shifting rapidly, creating new export pathways for U.S. oil and gas producers, service companies, and equipment manufacturers. To help industry leaders navigate these opportunities, this roundtable brings together three influential organizations in international trade and market intelligence: U.S. Commercial Service, EXIM Bank, and S&P Global.



This session is designed to provide actionable insights, reduce barriers to global expansion, and equip companies with the tools needed to compete and win in international markets.


April 6, 2026

8:30pm EST


Virtual Webinar


Register here

Vietnam Mining, Coal, and Critical Mineral Webinar


Vietnam is accelerating reforms across its mining, coal and critical minerals sectors – driven by its net-zero by 2050 commitment, tighter ESG standards, and a strategic push to develop secure, responsible supply chains.


Vietnam is actively seeking advanced U.S. technologies and partners and has a strong demand for clean coal solutions, critical minerals processing and mining modernization.


April 14-16, 2026



Expo


Register here

Ecomondo Mexico


ECOMONDO MEXICO is the environmental technology and circular economy trade fair in Latin America, celebrating its fifth edition at Expo Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. 


Companies involved in waste management, recycling, water and wastewater treatment, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, circular economy solutions, and environmental consulting should consider attending to explore business opportunities and partnerships in Latin America's growing environmental solutions sector.

May 19-21, 2026



Expo


Register here

World Hydrogen Summit



Join the global hydrogen community for its yearly gathering and be part of the conversation as companies and governments discuss pragmatic approaches to navigate changing market conditions and enable successful deployment of projects.

 

Companies interested in attending or exhibiting at World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition can contact Delaney Messina at RX Global for more information.

May 19-21, 2026



Conference and Expo


Learn More

Enlit Africa



As Africa’s end-to-end Water, Power and Energy event, Enlit Africa gathers a diverse array of key industry stakeholders to drive the continent’s just energy transition. For three days industry leaders meet and inspire each other at Enlit Africa’s live and digital events, exhibitions, and exclusive one-on-one interviews with leaders in energy sector.



This pivotal conference and exhibition cultivates innovation, fosters trust and forges connections while addressing pressing industry challenges, such as electricity and water access, sustainability, finance and investment, and so much more.

May 26-28, 2026



Expo


Learn More

Eléctrica International



Expo Eléctrica Internacional, since 1997, is the most important business platform for the electrical sector at the national level, where the main manufacturers and distributors of the industry meet.

 

In addition to its extensive exhibition area, Expo Eléctrica Internacional offers a program of highly specialized technical conferences and training sessions. It is a unique networking opportunity that brings together more than 41,000 electrical industry professionals each year, covering areas such as lighting, automation, control, materials, electrical equipment, sustainable energy, electromobility, air conditioning, and refrigeration.

June 9-11, 2026



Expo


Learn More

Global Energy Show



Canada is booming with $128 billion in oil and gas projects underway -- from Alberta's upstream development to British Columbia's LNG megaprojects.

 

This surge in investment is creating massive demand for manufacturers, distributors, and service providers who can deliver the technologies and solutions needed to build out pipelines, terminals, and supporting infrastructure. The recently announced Carney government's fast-tracked "nation-building" projects highlight Canada's commitment to expanding energy exports and securing long-term supply.

September 21-24, 2026



Conference


Learn More

ROG.e



Since 1982, ROG.e has brought together major leaders, experts, and companies in the energy sector. Throughout its history, the event has evolved to reflect global energy transformations, incorporating new content, expanding thematic areas, and promoting debates on emerging technologies, innovations, and energy transition strategies.

 

The event will feature a robust schedule of technical sessions, debate panels, and networking spaces, creating unique opportunities for knowledge exchange.

International Business

& Technology


IBT Online and the Online Global Programs in Video


Click HERE to view videos

If your customers are searching with AI — but your digital strategy is still built with the old Google/Bing algorithm in mind — we need to talk.


B2B exporters are facing a new challenge: the rules of search are changing. Traditional SEO tactics alone are no longer enough. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Google’s SGE, and Microsoft Copilot are now curating answers, not just serving up results. If your business isn’t showing up in those AI-generated responses, you're already falling behind.



IBT Online knows this — and we’re building strategies that help U.S. businesses adapt, compete, and stay visible in a world powered by AI search.


Please share your events with the

NADEC Network!


Please send any events that you would like added to the newsletter to Brenda Stelly, Communications Chair, at brenda@oilcenter.com.




Our Mission


Contact Us

Email  Linkedin  Youtube

www.usaexporter.org