The Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) will present its 18th Annual Northeast Cargo Symposium (NECS) on November 6, 2019, with a theme of “How Trade Disputes Are Changing the Logistics World.” The full-day program will include an update on trade-related developments in Washington by CONECT’s Washington Counsel, Peter Friedmann, and a keynote presentation on the current state and future prospects for U.S.-China trade negotiations by one of Washington’s most seasoned China trade experts, Amy P. Celico, Principal of Albright Stonebridge Group. Other sessions will focus on the challenges and impact of shifting sourcing from China to alternative locations; what’s new in transportation technology and how it will change transportation operations; how U.S. seaports are competing for shippers’ future business; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiatives and their impact on importers. Other speakers will include Brenda Smith, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Steve Banker, Vice President, Supply Chain Management, ARC Advisory Group; Amy Elmore, Director of International Logistics, Bob’s Discount Furniture; Geoff Powell, Chairman, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, and President, C.H. Powell Co.; and many other nationally recognized trade and transportation experts.