Note: Schedule subject to change
8:30 – 9 a.m.
Registration, Networking, and Breakfast Refreshments
9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Welcome Remarks
Eva Mancuso, Director, John H. Chafee Center for International Business
World Trade Day Committee Chairperson Betty Robson, President & CEO, JF Moran
The Honorable Dan McKee, Governor of Rhode Island
Dr. Ross Gittell, President, Bryant University
James Golsen, Deputy Director General U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service
Liz Tanner, Secretary of Commerce, State of Rhode Island
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
Opening Keynote
“Flying Direct: Initiative to Support Global Business”
Iftikhar Ahmad, President & CEO, Rhode Island Airport Corporation introduces keynote
Keynote: David Neeleman, CEO Breeze Air
followed by Question & Answer
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Resilient Gateways: Global Canal Management and Supply Chains
Moderator: Professor Michael Gravier
Panelists: Professor Jorge Barnett Lawton, Managing Director, Georgia Tech Panama Logistics (invited);
Joseph Morris, Port Director, MassPort;
Nik Persson, Rhode Island Airport Corporation;
Paul McDevitt, Sr., Director of Supply Chain Management, Toray
11:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Transition to George E. Bello Center for Information and Technology for Lunch
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Luncheon Keynote
Laurie White, CEO, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
Cheryl Merchant, CEO, Taco Comfort Solutions
“Lessons from the Trenches – What I have learned over Three…OK, Make that Four Decades”
Award presentations by: Eva-Marie Mancuso, Director, John H. Chafee Center for International Business
1 – 1:15 p.m.
Breakout Sessions and Meet our Government Resources
1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
AI’s Impact on Supply Chains; from New Tech to Cyber Threats
Moderator: June Youngs, Bryant University Executive in Residence
Panelists: Sarah Morgenthau, Special Advisor, U.S. Department of State;
Kevin Ricci, Partner, CitrinCooperman, Technology, Risk & Cybersecurity Practice;
Aida Ahmadzadegan-Shapiro, Founder & CEO ForeQast Technologies
There’s a World of Money Out There; Come Find it
Moderator: Matthew Spoehr, Deputy District Director, Rhode Island District Office, U.S. SBA;
Panelists: Joseph Raycraft, Export Finance Manager, U.S. SBA;
Angela Laperriere, SEED Corporation;
Eric Aberbach, Senior Vice President, Santander Bank
Helping Hands: International Trade Resources
Catherine Marx, District Director, CT District & acting Rhode Island District Director;
Dan Horowitz, Lender Relations Specialist, Rhode Island District Office, U.S. SBA
Diane Fournaris, State Director, SBDC;
Manuel Batlle, Assistant State Director, SBDC;
Keith Yatsuhashi, Director, U.S. Department of Commerce Providence;
Richard Foy, Regional Director, Exim Bank
2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Transition to AIC for Wrap-Up
2:15 – 2:45 p.m.
Closing Keynote
Billy Thalheimer, CEO, Regent
“RI Gateway to Global Expansion”
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Join us under the tent for: A Taste of Rhode Island
Including craft beers and tasty specialties