August 14, 2024- -Laredo, Texas – The Laredo Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) today announced the program for the 31st Annual Pathways For Trade Symposium to be held at the Laredo Country Club on Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 19, 2024. This year’s event theme is “Opportunities in a Technology Driven Supply Chain.”
The LEDC annually hosts the symposium to promote Laredo’s role as the largest port of entry for the international trade industry in North America.
This year’s event is no different as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of operating under the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) /United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). The 30th anniversary celebration will kick off with a dinner on Wednesday, September 18th that will recognize Mr. Gerry Schwebel as the 2024 Trade Ambassador. Schwebel is the Executive Vice President, Corporate International Division with International Bank of Commerce in Laredo and was instrumental in working with local, state, and federal officials to ensure that both NAFTA and USMCA policies included language to benefit the Texas/Mexico border and Laredo/Webb County region. The 30th annual celebration of NAFTA/USMCA will include a special presentation by Tiffany Melvin, JD, President of the North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO).
“We are excited to host the 30th anniversary celebration of NAFT/USMCA with NASCO and recognize Gerry Schwebel as the 2024 Trade Ambassador, said Tony Arce, Jr., Interim President/CEO with the LEDC. NAFTA/USMCA has created tremendous economic growth for our region, and we look forward to working with the international trade community to ensure that favorable trade policies remain in place for continued growth along the Texas/Mexico border.” International Bank of Commerce (IBC) is the title sponsor for the kickoff event on Wednesday’s program.
“As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of NAFTA/USMCA, I cannot think of a more deserving individual than Gerry Schwebel to be recognized as the 2024 Trade Ambassador,” said Arce.
Gerry Schwebel, the 2024 honoree, added: “I am humbled and honored that the LEDC has deemed me worthy of this prestigious recognition, especially in light of the 30th anniversary of the implementation of the most significant trade agreement between our two major trade partners—Mexico and Canada.”
“Receiving this recognition is even more significant to me personally since it comes from an organization, I have been involved in most of my professional life and respect highly”.
“The role of the LEDC in attracting business and industry that are creating jobs in both Laredo and Nuevo Laredo often is taken for granted. I wish to thank the Board of Directors of the LEDC for this distinctive recognition and look forward to continue working together in ensuring the Port of Laredo is well known all over the world as the premier strategic logistics platform of North America.”
In addition to the 30th-anniversary kickoff event, the symposium will feature multiple sessions on Thursday, September 19th that will run from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The sessions will include updates on trade policies and technology updates for the logistics and or brokerage industries.
Thursday will also include keynote presentations by Braeden Young, Director, Mexico, Office of the US Trade Representative, Geronimo Gutierrez, Former Mexico Ambassador to the United States, and Donald R Kusser, Director of Field Operations, Laredo Field Office, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The full agenda is available at pathwaysfortrade.com.
For more information on how to attend or sponsor the Pathways for Trade, please call 956-722-0563.
