Westin Peachtree Plaza
December 10-11, 2008
Atlanta, Georgia
co-convened by the National Governors Association, State International Development Organizations, the National Center for State Courts, and the National Association of Attorneys General
sponsored in part by: Canadian Consulate General - Atlanta | U.S. Chamber of Commerce | Procter & Gamble | FMC Corporation | National Association of Insurance Commissioners
(as of December 3, 2008)
Wednesday | Thursday
All meetings will take place in the Atlanta Westin Peachtree Plaza unless otherwise noted.
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| 8:00 am - 8:30 am |
Welcome, Seminar Introduction, and Workplan
Presiding
Representative Brent Yonts, Kentucky and Chair, Labor & Economic Development Committee, NCSL
Speakers
Kathe Falls, Director, International Trade, Department of Economic Development, Georgia |
| 8:45 am - 10:00 am |
Trade 101: What State Policymakers Need to Know
Georgetown professor and trade policy expert Robert Stumberg will outline some of the basics state officials need to know about international trade, giving background on the specific trade policy areas that are of most concern to state policymakers.
Presiding
Representative Sheryl Allen, Utah
Speaker
Robert Stumberg, Director, Harrison Institute for Public Law, Georgetown University Law Center, District of Columbia |
| 10:15 am – 11:45 am |
Trade Development in Turbulent Times
U.S. exports boomed for a time under a weak dollar, but recent crises have put the breaks on export-led growth. Both in the U.S. and abroad, companies frightened by the global financial crisis are bracing for hard times and beginning to implement cutbacks. Come learn what export prospects are like today and what states can do to help businesses continue to “think global.”
Presiding
Kathe Falls, Director, International Trade, Department of Economic Development, Georgia and President, SIDO
Speakers
Zaheer Faruqi, President, Aventure Aviation, Georgia
Ed Wolking, Vice President, Detroit Regional Chamber, Michigan (invited) |
| 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm |
Luncheon
Understanding the Past in Order to Influence the Future: American Trade Policy and the Potential Role of States
Learn from the author of American Trade Politics about the context for U.S. trade policy decision-making and his thoughts on where states can play a more influential and constructive role in the process.
Speaker
I. M. Destler, Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland |
| 1:45 pm – 3:30 pm |
Trade Enforcement: Intellectual Property Rights
The United States signed a number of trade agreements over the last eight years under the Bush Administration. Yet people on both sides of the aisle accuse the administration of laxness in enforcing the various provisions of these and prior agreements when partners fall short. Piracy and counterfeiting are particular concerns that cost U.S. businesses millions each year. How are states involved?
This session may be Continuing Legal Education (CLE) eligible.
Moderator
Honorable John W. Suthers, Attorney General, Colorado
Speakers
Rob Calia, Director of Domestic Programs, Global Intellectual Property Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, District of Columbia
Paul Piquado, Executive Director, Office of Trade Policy, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, District of Columbia |
| 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm |
Forecasting the Trade Agenda for 2009
Trade came up a number of times in the election season, usually in a rather negative light. Three speakers from academic, business, and labor backgrounds sort out the wheat from the chaff, outlining where they think the new administration and Congress will put their priorities and how states’ role in trade policy might be viewed by the incoming group.
Moderator
Robert Stumberg, Director, Harrison Institute for Public Law, Georgetown University Law Center, District of Columbia
Speaker
Thea Lee, Policy Director, AFL-CIO, District of Columbia
Christopher Wenk, Senior Director - International Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, District of Columbia |
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7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Coca-Cola Factory |
Fall Forum Reception
World of Coke |
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8:00 am – 9:30 am |
Federal Preemption & Trade Case Study: Financial Services
Domestic and international events in financial markets and services are ushering in momentum for legislative, legal, and regulatory changes at breathtaking speed. The state role in financial services regulation, particularly with state-charted banks, insurance, and certain securities, together with the importance to state economies from trade in financial services are not immune. This session will explore developments both here and abroad, and examine what may lie ahead for states.
Presiding
David Parkhurst, National Governors Association, District of Columbia
Speakers
Mary Bottari, Director, Harmonization Project, Public Citizen, District of Columbia
George Brady, International Counsel, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), District of Columbia |
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9:45 am - 11:15 am |
The U.S.-China Relationship: Are States Caught in the Middle?
Come get informed on the various aspects of the U.S.-China trade relationship and find out what states can or should expect from federal partners in dealing with China and other trading partners.
Presiding
Representative Brent Yonts, Kentucky and Chair, Labor & Economic Development Committee, NCSL
Speakers
Erin Ennis, Vice President, U.S.-China Business Council, District of Columbia
Senator Virginia Lyons, Vermont
Kevin Nealer, Principal, The Scowcroft Group, District of Columbia
Jeffrey Weiss, Director, Technical Barriers to Trade, Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), District of Columbia |
| 11:30 am - 12:45 pm |
Working Lunch
Roundtable Discussion: States’ Trade Policy Priorities Today
Following presentations on the current status of state(/provincial)-federal relations in the U.S. and Canada, attendees will be invited to share what their states have been doing in the field of international trade and discuss what can be done at the state and federal levels to ensure that states’ trade concerns are addressed.
Moderator
William Waren, Policy Director, Forum on Democracy & Trade, District of Columbia
Speaker
Albert Louie, Senior Policy Advisor, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ontario |
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