It’s unlikely that a regional non-profit member-based trade association could assemble a powerful mix of high ranking public and private sector trade & transportation experts to address an audience of constituents, but that is exactly what the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade (CONECT) has done. CONECT’s 12th Annual Northeast Cargo Symposium (NECS) is Thursday, November 7 at the Boston Marriott Newton, where ten experts in international trade compliance and global transportation will speak on pressing industry issues. Speakers include the Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Tom Winkowski, and former CBP Commissioner, George Weiss, with other top CBP officials discussing the Trade Transformation Agenda for U.S. importers, exporters, forwarders and brokers, and the functions of CBP’s Centers of Excellence & Expertise. NECS keynoter is Greg Rushford (The Rushford Report), a DC-based investigative reporter offering his reality check on the economic impacts of U.S. imports vs. exports. Elizabeth Shaver, Executive Director, Airlines for America, will address how ACAS regulations will affect air shippers. Ocean trade veterans Bill Rooney, Kuehne & Nagel, and Barry Horowitz, CMS Consulting, will delve into the impacts of Ocean Carrier Alliances, particularly P3 and G6. President of Adelante SCM, Adrian Gonzales, will cover the ramifications of Trucking Hours of Service on shippers, and Geoff Giovanetti, Managing Director, Wine & Spirits Shippers Association will offer a 30 year retrospective of global shipping. Both Winkowski and Giovanetti will become “CONECT Persons of the Year” at the awards luncheon, during which DC insider Peter Friedmann will offer his “View from the Hill”, and touch upon China’s trade policies and the Harbor Maintenance Tax Bill. New to NECS this year is a concurrent segment for CONECT Young Professionals, with YP speakers and YP pricing. A sunset cocktail reception will allow attendees to mingle, network, and meet the speakers. For further details, go to conect.org