Meeting/Event Information
NASBITE International Annual Training Forum 2026
March 30, 2026
8:00 AM EDT - 8:00 PM EDT
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Marriott St. Louis Grand
800 Washington Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63101
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NASBITE International Annual Training Forum 2026
Expanding Your Gateway to Global Growth
NASBITE International is pleased to announce that the 2026 Annual Training Forum will take place March 30 – April 1, 2026, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in St. Louis, Missouri.
NASBITE is proud to return to St. Louis, an established center for international trade, logistics, and global commerce. The region’s strong trade infrastructure and engaged international business community make it an ideal setting for NASBITE’s premier professional development event.
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?
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Faculty teaching international business and trade at colleges and universities
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International trade specialists and trainers affiliated with SBDCs, World Trade Centers, and state trade offices
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Export practitioners, consultants, and private-sector professionals
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Workforce development and economic development leaders supporting global growth
The Venue
Marriott St. Louis Grand
800 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO
The Marriott St. Louis Grand is the largest hotel in St. Louis and is centrally located on historic Washington Avenue, which the American Planning Association recognized as one of theTop 10 Main Streets in America. The recently renovated property blends historic architectural character with modern amenities expected of a premier conference venue.
The hotel is within walking distance of more than 40 restaurants, major cultural attractions, and downtown entertainment. The Gateway Arch is a 10-minute walk, and the MetroLink light rail is one block away, providing convenient access throughout the city.
Conference Dates & Agenda Overview
Monday, March 30, 2026
*Please note that times are in Central Standard Time
| 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Registration/Information |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Breakfast on your own |
| 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Pre-Conference Session Export Documentation & Procedures: 1-Day Workshop CLICK HERE to register for the workshop only (not attending the Annual Training Forum) |
| 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | NASBITE 2026 Student Case Competition |
| 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM | "First-Timers" Welcome |
| 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Opening Reception - Marriott Statler Ballroom |
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
*Please note that times are in Central Standard Time
| 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Registration/Information / Exhibitor Tables |
| 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | Opening Keynote Strategic Perspectives on Today’s Global Supply Chains: A Conversation with Leading National Experts Panel Moderator: Nate Ward, Director of the Global Business Center and the SBDC Export Assistance Network, Cleveland State University • Haitao Li: Professor and Chair, Supply Chain & Analytics Department, Founding Director - Laboratory of Advanced Supply Chain Analytics, Ed G. Smith College of Business, University of Missouri – St. Louis • Joseph Rottman: Director, International Business Institute, Professor of Information Systems, Ed G. Smith College of Business, University of Missouri – St. Louis • Vineet Sharma: Director and Faculty, Center for Supply Chain Excellence, Chaifetz School of Business, Saint Louis University |
| 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM | AM Break |
| 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM | Concurrent Session A - 4 Options A1: Integrating AI Into a Global Trade/CGBP Course • Jim Foley: Bradley University A2: It’s Not Just Tariffs: Navigating Culture for Global Trade Success • Meredith Getachew: Global Wordsmiths A3: How Peru’s Megaprojects Will Transform U.S. Trade—and the Cultural Intelligence Needed to Win • Brent Rondon: University of Pittsburgh SBDC • Marshall Girtman: Special Mine Services • Cesar Vasquez Flores: Flores Continental Financial Services A4: CGBP Exam Prep or Refresh: Global Management • Laurie Pieper: Assistant Director, Global Resources, Kansas Commerce |
| 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM | AM Break Two |
| 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Concurrent Session B - 4 Options B1: Navigating Complexity in Global Trade: Tools, Strategies, and Building Resilient Export Businesses • Rufiya Blank: Kompass International B2: Streamlining Global SME Operations: Saving 40 Hours a Week with Systems Thinking • Danielle Neal: Cloven Marketing B3: View from the Other Side • Alex Viva: SBTDC - North Carolina B4: CGBP Exam Prep or Refresh: Global Marketing Part 1 • John Addessi: Business Advisor, Kansas SBDC, Johnson County Community College |
| 12:15 PM - 2:00 PM | Luncheon, Annual Meeting, and Keynote Global Economic Outlook: A View from the Federal Reserve • Charles S. Gascon: Economist and Assistant Vice President, The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Luncheon Sponsor: the Missouri District Export Council |
| 2:00 PM - 2:15 PM | PM Break |
| 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM | Concurrent Session C - 3 Options C1: Cross-Border Ecommerce: Strategies for Smarter Global Selling • Kellie Greene: New York SBDC C2: Resources and Techniques for Creating Export Market Reports • Paul H. Grossman, Jr.: Prime Target C3: Secrets for Smarter International Growth • Wendy MacKenzie Pease: Rapport International C4: CGBP Exam Prep or Refresh: Global Marketing Part 2 • Brent Rondon: SBDC Senior International Trade Management Consultant, PN SBDC, University of Pittsburgh |
| 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM | PM Break Two |
| 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Concurrent Session D - 4 Options D1: Connecting American Flavors to Global Tables • Dave Shogren: US International Foods, LLC D2: NASBITE CGBP Governance Council Update • Elizabeth M Smith and the CGBP Governance Council D3:Building Talented Human Supply Chain to Meet the Industry Demand • Mousa Kassis & Mariah Hauser: Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network, Youngstown State University D4: CGBP Exam Prep or Refresh: Global Supply Chain Part 1 • Gabe Shweiri: Professor, Santa Ana College / CEO, BGI Worldwide Logistics |
| 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Roundtable Session - Education Partners |
| 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | NASBITE 2026 Student Case Competition Reception |
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
*Please note that times are in Central Standard Time
| 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Registration/Information / Exhibitor Tables |
| 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | Keynote - Fueling America’s Small Businesses: The SBA’s International Roadmap for 2026 and Beyond • Jamie Ensley: Senior Advisor, Office of Capital Access, U.S Small Business Administration |
| 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM | NASBITE 2025 Student Case Competition - Finalists |
| 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM | AM Break |
| 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM | Concurrent Session E - 4 Options E1: Tariff Strategies • Mike Allocca: Allocca Enterprises Inc. E2: Accelerate, Connect, Export: Lessons from the Heartland Model • Mariah Oke-Thomas: World Trade Center - Kansas City • Leslie Fischer: Missouri SBDC • John Addessi: Kansas SBDC • Paul Robinson: Construct Reach E3: The Hidden Barriers: How Labeling, Packaging, and Metric Requirements Shape Export Success for U.S. SMEs • Manuel J. Batlle & Chelsea Brehm: Rhode Island SBDC E4: CGBP Exam Prep or Refresh: Global Supply Chain Part 2 • Kellie Greene: Senior Business Advisor, New York North Central SBDC |
| 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM | AM Break Two |
| 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Concurrent Session F - 4 Options F1: Import Compliance • Mike Allocca: Allocca Enterprises Inc. F2: How to Put a Value on your Global Expansion Opportunity • Elayne P. McClaine: ESME Market Specialists, LLC F3: Selecting, Onboarding, Engaging-Retaining, Evaluating, and Terminating your International Channel Partners • Laurent Kahl & Mario Gonzalez: University of Georgia- International Trade Center F4: CGBP Exam Prep or Refresh: Trade Finance Part 1 • Laurie Wolff: Instructor, Southern Illinois University |
| 12:15 PM - 2:00 PM | Luncheon - Awards and Recognition Ceremony |
| 2:00 PM - 2:15 PM | PM Break |
| 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM | Concurrent Session G - 4 Options G1: Performing US Export Control Classifications • Lauren Hersey: Airbus G2: FTZ & Bonded Warehouse in a Dynamic Tariff Environment • Robert Stein: Braumiller Consulting Group G3: Shifting Focus: Navigating the New Landscape of Global Education • Allan Zhang: Advisory Board Chair, Consortium for Collaborative Education G4: CGBP Exam Prep or Refresh: Trade Finance Part 2 • Dimy Doresca: Executive Director, Institute for International Business, Clinical Associate Professor, University of Iowa |
| 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM | PM Break Two |
| 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Concurrent Session H - 4 Options H1: IEEPA Tariff Refunds - What you need to know • Gabe Shweiri: Co-Chair, Global Business & Entrepreneurship, Santa Ana College H2: Global Trade Finance: Working Capital Fundamentals and its Role in Business Growth • Mike Seibert: President, NASBITE International H3: Basics of Air Cargo • Bob Imbriani: Team Worldwide H4: CGBP Exam Prep or Refresh: Exam Taking Insights and Learning Tips • Jim Foley: Director Foster College International Programs, Bradley University |
| 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Roundtable Session - Training Partners |
| 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Closing Reception - Marriott Crystal Ballroom |
Professional Development Opportunities
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Export Documentation and Control Procedures (Pre-Conference Training)
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CGBP® Exam Preparation Track, aligned with the updated exam framework
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In-Person Student Case Competition, culminating in live finals
Registration Fees
Early Bird Registration (January - February 27, 2026)
- NASBITE Members: $795
- Non-Members: $895
- Faculty-Advisors: $795
- Students: $650
Standard Registration (February 28 - March 28, 2026)
- NASBITE Members: $895
- Non-Members: $995
- Faculty-Advisors: $795
- Students: $650
Conference registration includes access to all general sessions, keynotes, concurrent training sessions, networking events, and the exhibit area unless otherwise noted. Pre-conference training is offered separately.
Room Rate
Group Rate: $179 per night (single/double), plus applicable taxes
Reserve Your Room:
https://book.passkey.com/e/51072631
Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the NASBITE discounted rate.
The Sleeping Room Discounted Rate will cut off on March 13, 2026 - Book Today!!
Join global trade educators, practitioners, and industry leaders in St. Louis as NASBITE International convenes the international business community to expand knowledge, strengthen networks, and advance global growth.
Tickets
$895.00 Member Registration
$795.00 Earlybird rate before February 27
$995.00 Non-Member Registration
$895.00 Earlybird rate before February 27
$795.00 Award Winner Ticket
$795.00 Faculty-Advisor Registration
$650.00 Student Registration
$250.00 Exhibitor Table
$995.00 Non-Member Registration
$895.00 Earlybird rate before February 27
