Who Should Attend
The FCBF Conference brings together professionals across the global trade supply chain. The Third Annual Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Conference was held November 12th – 14th, 2018 at the Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC), drawing practitioners working in compliance, operations, and logistics management.
If your work touches the movement of goods across the Americas or international trade lanes, this gathering was designed for you.
What You'll Gain
Learning
Access to panels and intimate break-out sessions on legal, regulatory, and policy initiatives critical to trade in the Americas, with a focus on supply chain visibility and optimization.
Networking
Connect directly with customs brokers, freight forwarders, importers, exporters, and parties involved in global logistics, transportation, and trade.
Target Audience
| Sector | Typical Role |
|---|---|
| Customs Brokerage | Licensed brokers, compliance officers, entry specialists |
| Freight Forwarding | Forwarders, NVOCCs, 3PL operators |
| Import / Export | Importers, exporters, traders, sourcing teams |
| Logistics & Transport | Carriers, port operators, warehouse managers |
| Trade Policy & Legal | Counsel, trade analysts, regulatory specialists |
- Programming focused on emergent technology and resurgent innovation in trade
- World-class speakers presenting across plenary sessions and break-outs
- Opportunities to meet exhibitors and sponsors supporting the industry
The customs brokerage and freight forwarding industry sits at the heart of international commerce, connecting importers, exporters, and carriers across complex trade lanes. Conferences dedicated to this field offer a rare space where practitioners can step away from daily operations and reflect on the systems that move goods between markets. The shared focus on compliance, documentation, and logistics creates a common language among attendees, encouraging conversations that go beyond routine transactional work and into the broader mechanics of global supply chains.
For those working in customs and forwarding, staying current with policy and regulatory developments is not optional but essential. Trade rules, tariff structures, and security requirements shift in response to economic conditions and political priorities, and each change can ripple through shipping schedules, costs, and customer relationships. A well-curated conference gathers regulators, legal experts, and industry leaders in one room, giving attendees a chance to hear how new initiatives are being shaped and what they will mean for day-to-day operations.
Beyond formal sessions, conferences provide valuable informal settings where peers can exchange experiences and practical advice. Conversations over coffee or during scheduled breaks often lead to insights that no presentation slide can deliver, from navigating unusual cargo classifications to handling unexpected border holds. The opportunity to compare notes with professionals who face similar challenges fosters a sense of community that endures long after the event ends, strengthening the network that brokers and forwarders rely on when problems arise.
Technology and innovation are reshaping how goods are moved, tracked, and cleared. Digital platforms, automation, and data-driven visibility tools are changing expectations among shippers, carriers, and government agencies alike. Conferences that highlight these developments help attendees understand which solutions are mature enough to adopt and which are still emerging, allowing firms to plan investments with greater confidence. Discussions about efficiency, optimization, and resilience equip professionals with ideas to bring back to their own organizations.
Perhaps most importantly, gatherings centered on trade remind participants that their work supports the flow of goods that communities depend on every day. From medical supplies and food products to industrial materials and consumer goods, the efforts of customs brokers and freight forwarders touch nearly every sector. Recognizing the significance of this role, and the collaboration it requires, gives the profession a renewed sense of purpose and encourages ongoing dialogue among the many partners involved in moving commerce forward.