American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI)

As 2024 comes to a close, AAEI thanks you—our members & sponsors —for your partnership and trust. Together, we’ve advanced fair trade policies, celebrated a record-breaking conference, and launched impactful programming.   Here’s to a 2025 filled with collaboration, opportunity, and success. Wishing you and your families a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

🎉 AAEI Member of the Week: Travis Skinner of Amazon This week, we are pleased to recognize Travis Skinner, Senior Manager of Customs and Trade at Amazon, where he is responsible for policy related to cross-border trade and customs. Travis serves as the primary interlocutor on related topics with the U.S. Government. Travis is also an Alternate Member of the CBP’s Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC). Travis spent 15 years at the DHS and CBP, holding roles such as Senior Counselor for Trade to the Secretary, CBP Director of Trade Modernization, and Attorney in the CBP Office of Chief Counsel, with leadership on e-commerce, tariff implementation, the 21st Century Customs Framework, and the Jones Act. He is also a licensed lawyer, with a JD from George Washington University Law School and experience in international, legislative, contract, and trade law.

🚨 FINAL NOTICE AAEI MEMBERS! 🚨 During these times, your AAEI membership is more vital than ever! Make sure you stay connected to the resources, updates, and opportunities in trade compliance. Renewals are due before December 31, 2024!    Your membership gives you exclusive access to: - NEW! Bi-weekly trade policy updates - NEW! Monthly Trade Alert podcast - Virtual programs addressing trade’s biggest challenges - Discounts on #AAEI25 registration …and much more! Not sure if your membership has been renewed? Please contact us today at staff@aaei-hq.org for assistance.   

🎉 AAEI Member of the Week: Matt Zehner of Roanoke Insurance Group Inc. This week we are excited to feature Matt Zehner, Vice President of Surety Information and Analysis at Roanoke Insurance Group Inc. With more than two decades of experience, Matt plays a significant role in monitoring legal and regulatory developments in the trade and transportation industries. Matt is a member of CBP’s Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC). Matt is also an active member of AAEI and recently authored an article on tariffs and bond stacking liability, offering strategies for monitoring bond sufficiency.  Thank you, Matt, for your continued support and service to the trade community! Link to article: https://lnkd.in/eaesiK3C

🚨 TOMORROW! Join us for AI & Tariff Code Classification Event - sponsored by Quickcode.ai🚨 Join us TOMORROW, December 11 at Noon EST and witness Amy Morgan's first time moderating (!) what is sure to be a fantastic discussion with presentations on a variety of classification solutions! Joe Morales Anne van de Heetkamp Colin Haynes Register today! https://lnkd.in/dA5CE9sF

🚨 TOMORROW! Don’t Miss Our Chevron Deference Webinar!  🚨 The Supreme Court's decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo overturned the 40-year precedent of Chevron deference, fundamentally reshaping how federal agencies interpret ambiguous statutes. For customs professionals and businesses, this means navigating a new era of judicial scrutiny and evolving regulatory enforcement. With recent election outcomes poised to influence trade and customs policies, this session, sponsored by Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., and presented by Jason Kenner, is more important than ever for trade professionals. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights and prepare your business for what may happen next! Register today! https://lnkd.in/eddGJNxY

🚨 ATTENTION AAEI MEMBERS! 🚨 During these times, your AAEI membership is more vital than ever! Ensure you stay connected to the resources, updates, and opportunities that keep you ahead in trade compliance. RENEW TODAY!   Don’t miss out in 2025! Your membership gives you exclusive access to: - NEW! Bi-weekly trade policy updates - NEW! Monthly Trade Alert podcast - Virtual programs addressing trade’s biggest challenges - Discounts on #AAEI25 registration …and much more! Not sure if your membership has been renewed? Contact us today at staff@aaei-hq.org for assistance.   #TradeCompliance #AAEI #MembershipRenewal

🌏 Honored to speak at the Vietnam-U.S. Cooperation Forum on the power of collaboration and global partnerships to advance fair and sustainable trade. Trade matters—it drives opportunity, growth, and connection across borders. Together, we can partner to promote shared success and sustainable growth. Let’s keep building bridges for a stronger, more connected future! #GlobalTrade #FairTrade #Partnerships #Collaboration #TradeMatters   https://lnkd.in/emtT3cdE 

🎉Congratulations to Kathleen (Kathi) Murphy – AAEI Trade Champion   We are proud to recognize Kathleen Murphy, a partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP as an AAEI Trade Champion, in honor of her remarkable career and outstanding contributions to international trade. "I’m gratified that AAEI would bestow upon me the title of 'Trade Champion.' I served on AAEI’s board of directors for 12 years and still cherish that memory. These individuals, as same as today, were very devoted to the association and its members," Kathi shared upon receiving the news she is, once again, an AAEI Trade Champion. At Faegre Drinker, Kathi specializes in mitigation strategies, including Sections 232 and 301 exclusions, tariff classification, country of origin determination, and optimizing supply chains through free trade agreements, duty programs, and customs options. As Kathi prepares for a well-deserved retirement, we recognize her legacy and contributions to both AAEI and the global trade community. With immense gratitude and respect, we thank Kathi for her commitment to AAEI and wish her joy, success, and new adventures in the next chapter of her life. 

🚨ONE WEEK AWAY! Unlock the Power of AI for Tariff Code Classification! 🚨 Join us NEXT WEEK to explore "AI & Tariff Code Classification: Which Solution is Right for You?" Sponsored by Quickcode.ai, this session brings together industry experts, Amy Morgan, Joe Morales, Colin Haynes, and Anne van de Heetkamp, sharing actionable insights to identify the right solution for your companies unique challenges! FREE for AAEI members! Register today! https://lnkd.in/dA5CE9sF #TradeCompliance #ArtificialIntelligence #WebinarOpportunity #TradeClassification