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• World Trade Day 2025: Navigating International Commerce

  • When
    Wednesday, May 07, 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Johnson County Community College, Hudson Auditorium- 2nd floor of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210

  Register

  
  

  Free EVENT but registration needed

  World Trade Day 2025

  
  

  Join us:
  

  Date: May 7, 2025
  Time: 4:00 – 5:00 PM with a Happy Hour networking event at Talk of the Town immediately following

  Locations: JCCC’s Hudson Auditorium, 2nd floor (217) of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210

  Talk of the Town, 11922 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS- Networking with Cash Bar

  Join industry leaders and trade experts for an essential one-hour session exploring the turbulent seas of international commerce. In today's volatile climate of shifting tariffs, retaliatory measures, market uncertainty, and global fluctuations, businesses need a steady compass.

  Our panelists will address:

  ·        Strategies for weathering retaliatory trade measures

  ·        Tools for managing market volatility

  ·        Practical approaches to maintaining stability amid uncertainty

  • Current tariff landscapes and emerging patterns

  Whether you're an established global trader or just beginning your international journey, gain valuable insights to help your business confidently chart its course through challenging waters.

  Panel:

  

  Michael Salerno

  Vice President, International Banking

  FNBO

  Michael Salerno is Head of Global Banking at FNBO leading the international team responsible for business development, trade services, foreign exchange and cross-border payments. He serves all markets and national clients, including commercial and correspondent banking customers. Michael enjoys solving problems for his clients and connecting them with the resources they need to grow their business. He enjoys several professional affiliations, serving as treasurer for the Nebraska District Export Council, as an Executive Member and Treasurer of the National Association of District Export Councils, and as a Committee Member of the North American Regional Bank FX Forum.

  
  

  Jay Devers

  President and Managing Partner

  Bestway International, Inc.

  Jay Devers is President and Managing Partner of Bestway International, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri.    Founded in 1988, Bestway is a US Customs broker and international freight forwarder, based in Kansas City, Missouri.    In 2017, Bestway International was presented the President’s “E-Award” for Export Service by US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, the highest recognition any U.S. company can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

  A 1993 graduate of the Northwest Missouri State University, with BS in International Business, Devers is a past director and executive committee member of the International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City, board member of World Trade Center Kansas City, and is active with the World Trade Council of Wichita, Kansas, and the Kansas International Trade Coordinating Council.  He is the 2019 Legacy of Service Award Honoree of the International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City.  In 2024, Devers was appointed by the US Department of Commerce to the Mid-America District Export Council (MADEC) to represent the Kansas and Western Missouri international trade community for a 4-year term ending in December 2028. 

  
  

  Greg Tompsett

  Senior Vice President of US Customs

  Kuehne + Nagel 

  Greg Tompsett is the Senior Vice President of US Customs at Kuehne + Nagel. He is a licensed Customs Broker and the corporate license holder for K+N, working in the Customs Brokerage industry for 25 years.
  

  Moderator:

  

  Laurie Pieper, Ph.D.

  Assistant Director for Global Resources

  Kansas Department of Commerce

  
  

  Sponsors levels:

  Sponsor Letter

  
  

  Email office@Itcgkc.org for Sponsorship Opportunities!

  
  

  Who is the International Steering Committee?

  
  

  Learn more about the ISC

  
  

  
  

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• UPDATED Global Trade Forecast: An Up-to-date Look at the State of International Trade

  • When
    Tuesday, July 08, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Enterprise Bank & Trust, 6329 Glenwood St, Ste 300, Overland Park, KS 66202

  Register

  
  

  With 6 months under our belt, no doubt your head is still spinning trying to keep up with the changing landscape of International Trade. Let our experts give you their take!

  What Tariffs and Policies are most pressing?

  • When are those changes going into effect?
  • What are the implications of those actions?
  • How long are they active/valid/effective?

  What do you need to know, based on historical evidence, to help out your business?

  Free to all Current ITC members! Only $15 to any non-members. To become a member today and register for free click here!

  Registration is available for limited in person spots and unlimited for virtual!

  Our Experts:

  
  

  Brian Murphy, Esq.

  Miller & Company P.C.

  Brian Murphy, JD is a Partner at Miller & Company law firm and specializes in U.S. Customs import, export and foreign-trade zones law. He earned his JD from Santa Clara University School of Law and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City.

  
  

  Chance Pope

  Sr Director International Business Development

  Bestway International

  
  

  Chance Pope has been in the logistics and transportation industry since 2008, specializing in freight forwarding and international logistics since 2011 with various roles and experiences from operations to management. In July 2024, he joined the team at Bestway International as Senior Director, International Business Development. With years of experience in global shipping and supply chain management, Chance focuses on creative, practical and effective solutions for clients and business growth.

  
  

  Our Moderator:

  

  
  

  John Addessi

  Business Advisor

  KS SBDC

  
  

  John Addessi is a Business Advisor with Johnson County Community College's Kansas Small Business Development Center, assisting Kansas entrepreneurs in Johnson, Miami and Wyandotte counties to start and grow their businesses. He has consulted with over 1900 Kansas businesses and individuals as a KSBDC Consultant with both Washburn University and Johnson County Community College. John's focus is on job creation, access to capital and international trade - with a love of marketing, as well! He provides free, confidential, one-to-one consultation to current or prospective business owners on topics such as financing, business strategy and planning, marketing, e-commerce, international market research and business acquisition/transition. John also teaches entrepreneurship at JCCC as an adjunct instructor.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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