Society for International Affairs |
2025 Spring Virtual
| Conference Committee Conference Director: Speaker Chairs: AV/Pubs Chair: SIA Board Liaisons: |
DAY ONE: Key Trade Updates
May 19, 2025, 1:00 - 5:00 pm EDT
1:00 | Opening Remarks
1:15 | ITAR Priorities & Industry Discussion
Sarah Heidema, DDTC
Chris Stagg, Holland & Knight
Alexis Wetzler, Honeywell
This panel provides an overview of DDTC priorities, particularly under the new administration. Separately, this panel will additionally discuss how industry can best prepare and adapt from the compliance perspective.
2:00 | Export Controls and National Security
Marissa Cloutier, K&L Gates
Dan Mouton, Northrop Grumman
A changing trade compliance environment means increased efforts from all government areas. Now more than ever, agencies grapple with the challenge of ensuring that export control and national security regulations adapt to present-day threats, U.S. businesses remain competitive in the global market, and geopolitical tensions are managed. This panel will explore the future of national security via export controls and strategies for maintaining a robust and adaptable export control program.
2:45 | Dept. of State ISN Bureau on MTCR
Pam Durham, Director, Office of Missile, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation
The Bureau of International Security and Non-Proliferation will present administration priorities regarding the Missile Technology Control Regime. This presentation will provide background and current considerations for the regime.
3:30 | Break
3:45 | Reform Initiatives & Industry Impact: Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) & the Foreign Arms Sales Process Executive Order
Ola Craft, Lowenstein Sandler
Art Shulman, General Atomics
Pranay Vaddi, Senior Nuclear Fellow, Center for Nuclear Security Policy, MIT
New guidance for on Foreign Arms Sales and increased flexibility for specific MTCR-controlled items to countries with strong export controls provides new opportunities for industry. This panel discusses the paradigm shift.
4:55 | Wrap Up & Adjourn
DAY TWO: Working Together - Allies, Treaties, and Shared Trade Compliance Risks
May 20, 2025, 1:00 - 5:00 pm EDT
1:00 | Opening Remarks
1:05 | Evolving Defense Procurement and Export Controls: US-UK/EU Perspectives
Chris Kirchhoff, Advisor, DIU & SCSP
Dan Lund, Dentons UK
It is no secret that Defense Tech companies struggle with traditional Pentagon procurement procedure. This panel discusses the evolution of U.S. defense procurement and the implications of export controls and license exceptions impacting U.S.-U.K. defense trade.
2:10 | Technology Transfers for the Space Industry
Chris Parillo, DTSA
Melanie Fujiu, United Launch Alliance
As the space industry democratizes, more startups than ever are entering this regulatory area. This panel covers Space Industry specific guidance and best practices for ensuring DDTC licenses and agreements approval without program-terminating provisos.
3:25 | Break
3:40 | USG-Sponsored Export Controls Support
Ian Stewart, Middlebury Institute
Jay Nash, Nash Global Trade
As countries with developing export control regimes seek for opportunities to manufacture ever more complex and sensitive technologies, the United States seeks greater assurances that U.S.-origin technology will be protected before granting authorizations. Through programs sponsored by the State Department and the Department of Commerce, the U.S. provides functional support to members of government agencies and to industry partners in those countries. Learn more on how the U.S. improves trade and boarder control in this critical area.
4:55 | Wrap Up & Adjourn
DAY THREE: Headlines and Headaches: the Changing Global Environment
May 21, 2025, 1:00 - 5:00 pm EDT
1:00 | Opening Remarks
1:05 | Tariffs: Bracing for the Evolving Landscape
Nate Bolin, K&L Gates
Jonathon Osten, TE Connectivity
Gabrielle Griffith, BPE Global
This industry panel discusses the recently announced tariffs, the motivations behind the policy, and what this means for trade compliance.
2:25 | Trump Administration Policy Implications on Sanctions
Adam Smith, Gibson Dunn
Jason Prince, Akin Gump
Sanctions continue to be an important tool in the trade controls kit. This panel discusses the Trump Administration priorities for sanctions and the challenges and opportunities for industry.
3:30 | Break
3:45 | Emerging Technology: AI, VR, Quantum, Oh My!
Heather Sroka, Intel
Nancy Draper Schaeffer, Microsoft
Emerging technology continues to advance and trade control regulations struggle to keep up. This panel discusses the current state of sensitive technologies, compliance best practices, and expectations for the short-term future.
4:50 | Wrap up & Adjourn