OWIT Launches Its Webinar Series for 2012!

Staying Ahead of the Curve: Update on the U.S. Export Control Reform Initiative
Friday May 18, 2012 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT

Cost is just $25 for OWIT Members, $40 for non-members.

The Export Control Reform Initiative was launch in August 2009. It's goal was to overhaul the current U.S. export control system by reconciling regulations, policies, and definitions with the goal of creating a single export control list, licensing agency, enforcement effort, and information technology system. On March 7, 2012, the President established under Executive Order 13558 the Export Enforcement Coordination Center comprised of a team from Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and Department of Commerce, to strengthen the enforcement of U.S. Export controls. The Information Triage Unit was also established under the same Executive Order to coordinate the review of export licenses, and will be controlled by the Department of Commerce. How will these new agencies, and the other changes made in the last three years, affect Exporters? Join us to find out more about the latest developments in the Export Control Reform.

In this webinar we will cover:

• Overview of the Export Control Reform Effort The 4 Singularities
• Original Intentions, Current Realities
• The Latest Export Control Reform Developments
• Update on the Foreign Trade Regulations Proposed Rule
• Recently Introduced Export Legislation
• What If Congress Fails to Act?
• Advice for Staying Ahead of the Curve

Our Presenter:

Melissa Miller Proctor is a Partner with the law firm of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., and leads its Export Practice Group. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Ms. Proctor has more than 15 years of experience advising exporters and importers on various issues involving compliance with the U.S. export, customs, and trade laws and regulations. Ms. Proctor provides advice on the export and reexport requirements applicable to defense articles and services subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), as well as to dual-use goods, technology and software (including encryption items) under the Export Administration Regulations. She also counsels clients on the requirements of the Commerce Department's Office of Antiboycott Compliance, and the various U.S. embargo and sanctions programs administered by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

She is a member of the bars in Arizona and Illinois, and is admitted to practice before the Court of International Trade and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She holds an LL.M. in International and Comparative Law from the Georgetown University Law Center, J.D. from the Valparaiso University School of Law, and a B.A. in Spanish and Russian from Indiana University. She is the Vice President of the Phoenix Chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade, and is a member of the Arizona Technology Council, Society of International Affairs, TechAmerica, International Compliance Professionals Association, American Association of Exporters and Importers, Women in Defense, National Defense Industrial Association, and the American Bar Association. Email address: mproctor@strtrade.com.

Read about our 2011 International Award Winners:

Washington, DC - The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) celebrates three award recipients, recognized for their outstanding contributions to the organization and for their strong commitment to advancing women in international trade and business.

OWIT presented its 2011 Woman of the Year Award to OWIT-Lake Geneva Chapter member Jo Elizabeth Butler - Deputy Director, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development - Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programs. She and her staff work to reduce poverty in Africa and the least developed countries, small island developing states and land-locked developing countries by promoting trade, investment, finance and technology as tools for structural transformation and sustainable development.

Ms. Butler personally assists African and other developing country students, especially young women, to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to be considered for young professional positions in the UN and its specialized agencies, including the WTO and World Bank. In addition to providing food, clothing and schoolbooks to over 1000 school children, her charity has raised funds to add four new classrooms and two teachers' quarters to two rural schools. Through her fundraising, she has established personal contacts with local women artisans and entrepreneurs in many African countries and helps to promote their products abroad.

OWIT's South Florida Chapter (USA) was awarded the Chapter of the Year Award for its position of leadership within OWIT to help further the OWIT mission, for sharing best practices and for successfully fostering education and networking opportunities among global trade professionals. Since hosting the 2007 OWIT Global Conference, the South Florida chapter has gained prominence in the South Florida business community as the premier networking organization for both women and men.

OWIT-Miami became OWIT -South Florida in 2009 to link Broward and Miami counties. OWIT South Florida is a highly recognized by its peer organizations National Association of Women Business Owners, Florida Customs Broker & Forwarders, Women Business Development Council, Women in Technology International, and Women in Homeland Security. In addition to growing event coverage by the local business journals, this year's (10th Annual) International Business Woman of the Year award luncheon received news coverage by CNN.

OWIT's Member of the Year Award was presented to Jennifer Diaz, a member of OWIT South Florida. Ms Diaz created a social media chair position on the OWIT South Florida board resulting in one of the largest OWIT chapter fan bases on Facebook. Ms. Diaz worked to create new partnerships with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Women's Business Development Council, Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Assn, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, Women in Technology International, Women's Chamber of Commerce, Miami Dade Office of Economic Development and International Trade and World City Business and also signed an MOU with Miami Dade College to assist with new export compliance program. To help improve membership commitment, she created the Diplomat Chair board position to welcome new members and assist members in meeting and getting to know one another.

Learn more about Jo Butler, OWIT International Woman of the Year.

NEWS!

OWIT has renewed its membership with the International Alliance for Women (TIAW). As an association member, all OWIT chapters and members have access to this prestigious and influential organization. TIAW is a 50,000-plus member organization with the mission of economic empowerment of women. OWIT Chapters and members can feature themselves through a 100-word profile on the TIAW website. All members are welcome to get involved in the current initiatives and committees, and even be considered for leadership positions.