31ST PATHWAYS FOR TRADE SYMPOSIUM
“OPPORTUNITIES IN A TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN SUPPLY CHAIN”
The Laredo Economic Development Corporation (EDC) hosted its 31st Pathways for Trade Symposium at the Laredo Country Club, focusing on “Opportunities in a Technology-Driven Supply Chain.”
This year’s symposium marked a significant milestone as it celebrated three decades of cross-border trade facilitated under the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its successor, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The event commenced on Wednesday, September 18, with a dinner honoring the 30th anniversary of NAFTA/USMCA. As part of this celebration, the Laredo EDC recognized Mr. Gerry Schwebel as the 2024 Trade Ambassador for his contributions to promoting cross-border trade and fostering strong North American partnerships. The anniversary dinner featured a presentation from Tiffany Melvin, JD, President of the North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO), who spoke about the critical role that NAFTA and USMCA have played in shaping North American trade relations and advancing economic growth.
In an effort to inspire the next generation of logistics and trade professionals, the symposium included students from the Academy of Global Business & Advanced Technology at United South High School (USHS). Led by Principal Martha Alvarez, Magnet Dean Sinneh Koroma, and Logistics Instructor Claudia Saenz, these students are part of the Business Magnet Pathway. Upon graduating from high school, each student will receive a Logistics Technician One-Semester Certificate from Laredo College, equipping them with foundational skills to enter the logistics and supply chain fields.
The 31st Pathways for Trade Symposium offered a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and educators to discuss the future of a technology-driven supply chain, focusing on innovations that promise to enhance efficiency, security, and economic competitiveness across North America. As industries continue to evolve through digitization, automation, and sustainable practices, the Laredo EDC aims to ensure that the region remains at the forefront of these advancements, fostering a robust trade environment for future generations.
OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
TIFFANY MELVIN, J.D.
GERONIMO GUTIERREZ FERNANDEZ
GERONIMO GUTIERREZ FERNANDEZ
President,
North American Strategy for Competitiveness, Inc. (NASCO)
GERONIMO GUTIERREZ FERNANDEZ
GERONIMO GUTIERREZ FERNANDEZ
GERONIMO GUTIERREZ FERNANDEZ
Senior Advisor at Covington & Burling, LLP. and Former Mexico’s Ambassador to the United States
NORMAN R. GARZA, JR
GERONIMO GUTIERREZ FERNANDEZ
NORMAN R. GARZA, JR
Executive Director,
Texas Space Commission
DONALD R. KUSSER
GERONIMO GUTIERREZ FERNANDEZ
NORMAN R. GARZA, JR
Director of Field Operations,
Laredo Field Office,
Office of Field Operations,
U.S. Customs and Border
Protection
GERALD SCHWEBEL
Executive Vice President,
Corporate International Division,
International Bank of Commerce
day 2 SESSIONS
Keynote Presentation
Keynote Presentation
Keynote Presentation
Norman R. Garza, Jr.
Executive Director, Texas Space
Commission
SESSION 1
Keynote Presentation
Keynote Presentation
PORTS OF LAREDO, TAMAULIPAS AND NUEVO LEON
- Alberto A. Flores, Laredo Port Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Kent Richard, Assistant Director, City of Laredo Bridge System
- Devorah Karren, International Affairs Director, State of Nuevo Leon & Port Colombia-Laredo Promotion Director
- C.P. Pedro Diaz Puerto, Industrial Development and Foreign Trade Director, City of Nuevo Laredo, Tamps.
session 2
Keynote Presentation
session 2
“Texas Mexico Automotive Super Cluster”
David Marquez,
Executive Director, Bexar County Economic
Development
SESSION 3
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
session 2
“North American Trading Relationships - Complex
Political Landscapes and Crucial Outcomes”
Moderator: Rachel Connell, Vice President, NASCO
- Dan Ujczo, Senior Counsel, Thompson Hine
- Gerald Schwebel, Executive Vice President, IBC Bank
- Luis Rodriguez, Managing Partner, Monarch Global
Strategies Mexico
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Geronimo Gutierrez Fernandez,
Senior Advisor at Covington & Burling, LLP. and Former Mexico’s Ambassador
to the United States
SESSION 4
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
"Technologies to Expedite Safe and Secure International
Trade"
David Salgado, Ph.D.
Assistant Program Manager, Associate
Research Scientist,
International Trade and Border Transportation, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
SESSION 5
SESSION 5
SESSION 5
“IT Architecture, Cybersecurity, and Business Continuity
for Logistics Service Providers”
- Manuel Farias, Director of Consulting and Training, PANACEA Strategy
- Adrian Garcia, Founder and CEO, Gatego
- Raul Terroba, Southern Border Lead & Founding AE Deep Cognition, AI
SESSION 6
SESSION 5
SESSION 5
“Innovation at the Border: Logistechs for Enhanced
Cross-Border Trade”
Daniel Covarrubias, Ph. D., Director of Texas Center for Border & Economic Development, Texas A&M International University
- Tariq H. Tashtoush, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Engineering, Texas A&M International University
SESSION 7
SESSION 5
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
“Gordie Howe International Bridge: Seamlessly Connecting
North America”
- Sam Bourgi, Senior Policy Analyst, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
- Heather Grondin, Chief Relations Officer, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Donald R. Kusser, Director of Field Operations, Laredo Field Office, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
OUR PRESENTERS
David Salgado, Ph.D.
Daniel Covarrubias, Ph.D.
Daniel Covarrubias, Ph.D.
Assistant Program Manager, Associate Research Scientist, International Trade and Border Transportation,
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Daniel Covarrubias, Ph.D.
Daniel Covarrubias, Ph.D.
Daniel Covarrubias, Ph.D.
Director, Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development,
Texas A&M International University
Tariq H. Tashtoush, Ph.D.
Daniel Covarrubias, Ph.D.
Tariq H. Tashtoush, Ph.D.
Associated Professor of Engineering,
Texas A&M International University
RACHEL CONNELL
Daniel Covarrubias, Ph.D.
Tariq H. Tashtoush, Ph.D.
Vice President,
NASCO
KENT RICHARD
Heather Grondin
Heather Grondin
Assistant Bridge Director,
City of Laredo Bridge System
Heather Grondin
Heather Grondin
Heather Grondin
Chief Relations Officer,
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
Sam Bourgi
Heather Grondin
Devorah Karren
Senior Policy Analyst, Windsor-Detroit
Bridge Authority
Devorah Karren
Heather Grondin
Devorah Karren
International Affairs Director for the State of Nuevo Leon & Port Colombia-Laredo Promotion Director
Alberto A. Flores
C.P. Pedro Diaz Puerto
Alberto A. Flores
Port Director for Laredo Port of Entry,
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
David Marquez
C.P. Pedro Diaz Puerto
Alberto A. Flores
Executive Director,
Bexar County Economic Development
C.P. Pedro Diaz Puerto
C.P. Pedro Diaz Puerto
C.P. Pedro Diaz Puerto
Industrial Development
and Foreign Trade Director,
City of Nuevo Laredo, Tamps.
MANUEL FARIAS
C.P. Pedro Diaz Puerto
C.P. Pedro Diaz Puerto
Director of Consulting and Training,
PANACEA Strategy.
Raul Terroba
Luis Rodriguez
Adrian Garcia
Southern Border Lead & Founding AE
Deep Cognition, AI
Luis Rodriguez
Luis Rodriguez
Luis Rodriguez
Managing Partner,
Monarch Global Strategies Mexico
THANK YOU TO our sponsors
NIGHT OF TRADE AMBASSADOR DINNER
PLATINUM
gold
SILVER
