TEXAS DEC 2009 STATEWIDE: MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Event concluded February 27, 2009

The South Texas USEAC, Austin USEAC, and the Texas Camino Real District Export Council co-hosted the Texas Trade Logistics Forum on South Padre Island, Texas on February 26, 2009. Over 180 registrants, speakers and sponsors participated in the day-long event, which featured separate panels covering cross-border customs programs (U.S. and Mexican), cross-border trucking, international railroad systems, marine ports, and the new "green" concept for a Texas Freight Shuttle.

The goal of the event was to create a dynamic forum for exporters and logistics experts to network, share information, answer questions, and discuss international transportation trends with an emphasis on cross-border trade with Mexico. Participants primarily included many small companies, manufacturing companies, logistics providers, educators, and local officials from both sides of the border. USFCS Officer, Geoffrey Bogart, of CS Monterrey was on-hand to council companies about opportunities in Northern Mexico. Participant surveys and subsequent email from participants and sponsors indicated high satisfaction with the event, and requests for future events on logistics.

In addition to the seminar, participants were able to interact with sponsors and other service providers in the concurrent exhibit hall. The event was sponsored by FedEx, UPS, KCSM, Union Pacific, Port of Brownsville, Port of Corpus Christi, Port of Houston Authority, Port of San Antonio, Austin Community College, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at San Antonio, JP Morgan Chase, Frost Bank, Holt Catepillar, Jackson Walker LLP, Louisiana DEC, Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corp, Free Trade Alliance of San Antonio, Chem-Crete International, and CGM Applied Security Technologies, Inc.

The event received coverage by Texas newspapers, as well as two television news crews, including an interview by Telemundo.

Following the forum on February 27, 2009, the four District Export Councils in Texas met for their annual statewide meeting. This half-day meeting provided to the over 60 participations various government perspectives on trade, transportation and logistics for the border. Speakers included the Chief of Staff for Congressman Solomon Ortiz, the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism for the State, the Federal Reserve Bank Economist from El Paso, and federal representatives from U.S. Customs, the International Trade Administration, EXIM and the Commercial Service. Many of the speakers and sponsors from day one also participated. The meeting portion ended with a discussion on the role the District Export Councils in addressing the challenges facing Texas businesses related to exporting and trade. There was a brief announcement on legislative outreach efforts related to funding for the Commercial Service. In the afternoon, for those that stayed, there was a tour of the Port of Brownsville.