June
3 The Council of the Americas is sponsoring Latin America 2004: Economic and Financial Predictions. he conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Leading Wall Street economists, the best-ranked financial strategists and the top management of major companies will address the most relevant topics that will impact Latin American economies in the second half of 2004. For more information, call Marjorie Hernandez at 212-277-8373.

13-15 The American Association of Exporters and Importers will hold its annual conference and exhibition at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers - in New York City. The conference will focus on Trade, Compliance and Security: Turning Challenges into Successes. Speakers from government and the private sector will discuss changes that are coming, and walk you through the steps you need to take to survive and thrive in a rapidly changing trade environment. The import compliance breakout sessions are designed as benchmarking panels and will include actual examples of internal controls used by corporations to tackle major trade compliance areas (i.e., tariff classification, valuation, and special duty programs). New laws and regulations in the export world will also be discussed. For more information, click on the events link at www.aaei.org

23 NEXCO is sponsoring a seminar on Duty Savings Opportunities and Programs from 9:30 a.m. to Noon at The Williams Club, 24 East 39th Street, between Park and Madison Avenue, 3 blocks south of Grand Central Station, 6th floor. The speakers will be Marilyn-Joy Cerny, Esq. and Michael Cerny, Esq., bring both legal and customs broker perspectives to these areas. They are principals of Global Customs & Trade Specialists, Inc., a nationally permitted Customs broker. Michael Cerny is a member of the Trade Support Network and the AAEI Drawback Committee and is co-chair of the NCBFAA Drawback Committee. He has been an active participant in negotiations with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Commerce and U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding drawback provisions included in recent Free Trade Agreements as well as modifications to the current drawback law and implementing regulations. Attendees will receive the most up-to-date information on the new FTA's and drawback. Cost: $40 members, $60 non-members. To register or for more information, click on the Programs link at www.nexco.org

September
19-22 The U.S. Commercial Service will lead an Automotive Supply Chain Trade Mission to Monterrey and Saltillo, Mexico. The Monterrey and Saltillo metropolitan regions have become major automotive parts manufacturing hubs. Component manufacturers located in the area supply major automotive assembly plants nationwide. The cost to participate is $1,995 per company (plus $200 for each additional person from the same company) and does not include transportation, hotel and some meals. For more information contact: William J. Davis III, U.S. Export Assistance Center, Boston, call 617-424-5959 or email him at William.Davis@mail.doc.gov

October
15-17 The Asian American Business Development Center Inc. is organizing the "New York in Shanghai" Expo. The expo will focus on promoting New York State products and services in the growing China market. The event will be held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. For more information contact: John Wang, president, Asian American Business Development Center, 212-966-0100, Ext. 23, or visit the group's Web site at www.aabdc.com