NAFTZ Brings 2025 Annual Conference and Exposition to Kansas City, Sept. 14-17

National Assoc. of Foreign-Trade Zones' event to unite top U.S. FTZ leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders in a key year with shifting trade dynamics

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ) is officially preparing to kick off its 2025 Annual Conference and Exposition, which takes place Sept. 14-17 in Kansas City, Mo. The event – with the tagline "Era of FTZ: Trade Connections in the Heartland" – is expected to draw 500-plus leaders from across the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) community, representing grantees, operators, users, service providers, manufacturers and logistics firms from around the country.

Since the early-1970s, NAFTZ has served as the collective voice, principal educator and most influential advocate for the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Program, first established during the Great Depression. More specifically, NAFTZ's mission is to help members unlock the potential of U.S. FTZs to drive competitiveness, create domestic jobs and support global supply chain efficiency. Today, there are 1,300-plus active operations across all 50 states and Puerto Rico – employing 550,000 Americans. Nearly $150 billion worth of merchandise was exported from U.S. zones in 2023.

NAFTZ's annual conference is the association's largest gathering of the year, blending high-level education, policy insights and peer-to-peer networking.

"During a period of rapidly evolving trade policy, U.S. FTZs have taken on incredible importance in the U.S., particularly in ensuring American business' ability to compete globally while creating and maintaining domestic jobs," said Jeff Tafel, president of NAFTZ. "Kansas City will be the center of that conversation this month. Our event brings together the most knowledgeable voices in trade policy, customs administration and U.S. FTZ operations to chart the path forward for our members and the business communities they serve."

This year's program will incorporate five dedicated content tracks – covering grantee responsibilities, operator and user issues, petroleum sector concerns, advanced professional topics, and U.S. FTZ fundamentals – ensuring relevant content for both seasoned experts and those new to the FTZ program. Session highlights will include:

• A discussion with a senior U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) leader on how small-package imports are being handled, where the agency is focusing its enforcement efforts, and what future budget plans could mean for trade operations – featuring Director Brad Slutsky.
• A real-world case study on how companies and ports respond when sudden tariffs are put in place – with insights from Torrey Chambliss of Port Tampa Bay and Jorge Aguilar of HIT Promotions.
• An in-depth look at how companies manage inventory, stay compliant with regulations and keep accurate records inside U.S. FTZs – led by expert Diana Urelius, senior manager of trade compliance at Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas Inc.
• A discussion from David Panko of the City of El Paso and David Sikkink from the Hawaii FTZ on the essential skills needed to run and operate a U.S. FTZ effectively.

"We're delighted to host the 2025 NAFTZ Annual Conference in the heart of international trade. Kansas City is ready to welcome leaders and trade experts from around the country for this great event to learn what's next and to strengthen the relationships that make the community so valuable. With the long history and rising interest in our Foreign-Trade Zone and increased visibility of the Kansas City region, the timing could not be more perfect," said Chris Gutierrez, president of the host city's FTZ program – the Greater Kansas City Foreign-Trade Zone, Zone 15 & 17, (GKCFTZ). "The insights and conversations that will happen here directly impact how U.S. FTZs serve companies in these critical years ahead for trade relations, and we are excited to play a role in supporting economic growth in communities around the country."

The 2025 NAFTZ Annual Conference and Exposition promises to deliver unmatched expertise, exposure to top officials and critical policy conversations, along with opportunities to share best practices among trade industry peers.

For more information about NAFTZ's conference or to register, visit: https://members.naftz.org/ap/Events/Register/J5Fj2kmCJCzC3

About the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ)

NAFTZ is a nonprofit trade association comprised of more than 900 members spanning the United States and Puerto Rico. The association is the collective voice of all that engage in the U.S. FTZ program, serving as the premier advocacy and educational organization for the U.S. FTZ community of professionals. For questions or more information about U.S. FTZs, visit our website at www.naftz.org.

About the Greater Kansas City Foreign-Trade Zone (GKCFTZ)

The Greater Kansas City Foreign-Trade Zone (GKCFTZ) is the regional grantee of the national FTZ program. GKCFTZ sponsors both Foreign-Trade Zone No. 15 in western Missouri and Zone No. 17 in eastern Kansas. GKCFTZ is one of the largest zone areas in the country with more than 450 million square feet of approved FTZ space both sides of the state line. As of late 2024, the GKCFTZ ranked in the top 25 of the 200 active U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones in multiple categories, employed over 2,500 people in the Kansas City region, and created nearly $3 billion in value-added activity. Learn more here.

SOURCE National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones