BABN Main Conference Agenda – May 1st

The BABN Transatlantic Conference agenda promises a full day of engaging, high-level discussions led by prominent voices in international business and policy. Through a dynamic mix of keynotes, fireside chats, and panel discussions, attendees will gain valuable insights into the current state of transatlantic trade and investment. Industry specialists, senior executives, thought leaders, and government officials from both the UK and the U.S. will take the stage to explore critical themes and trends shaping bilateral business relations across a variety of sectors.

8:00 – 8:50 am
Guest Registration | Coffee & Networking

9:00 – 9:15 am
Welcome and Opening Remarks

Scott Syfert, President, BABC Carolinas
Tamra Eker, President, BABN and Managing Director, British American Business
Mark Jerrell, Chair, Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners

9:15 – 9:45 am

Session 1
The Crucial Alliance: Why the relationship between the US and UK is so important, not just for each other but for the world

Fireside Chat:
James Roscoe, Deputy Head of Missions, British Embassy, Washington DC
Duncan Edwards, CEO, BritishAmerican Business

Moderator: Idrees Kahloon, Washington bureau chief, The Economist

9:45 – 10:45 am

Session 2
The US / UK Trade and Investment Partnership: What does that mean for business?

Panel Discussion:
Oliver Christian, HM Trade Commissioner for North America
Chris Chung, CEO, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
David Talbot, Associate VP, International Government Affairs, Eli Lilly
Jutta Meier, Interim CEO, IQE

Moderator: Emanuel Adam, Chief Policy and Trade Officer, BritishAmerican Business

10:45 – 11:00 am
Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:00 pm

Session 3
Burning the Red Tape: How Deregulation Shapes the Future of International Trade

Panel Discussion:
Lindsay Hedrick, Chief Labor and Employment Counsel, Honeywell
Chris Haave, Global Government Relations, RTX/Collins Aerospace
Ron Cotterman, VP Global Corporate Affairs, Sealed Air
Ronce Almond, Managing Director, International Government Affairs, American Airlines

Moderator: Patrick Somers, Dentons

12:00 – 1:00 pm
Networking Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 pm

Session 4
What’s the Score? The Business of Sports as an Economic Driver; from capital investment and advanced technologies, to attracting inward investment, creating jobs, positive health, wellbeing and winning!

Panel Discussion:
Adam Sperling, Executive Director, Truist Championship
Will Pitts, CEO, Charlotte Sports Foundation
Mitch Heath, Co-Founder, Teamworks

Moderator: Tom Glick, President, Rockledge Sports Advisory

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Session 5
The Sustainability Challenge: What to expect in the coming years and how businesses are responding.

Fireside Chat:
Amari Jones Scriven, Manager, Corporate Sustainability, NUCOR
Dr. Robert Cox, Director of EPIC, UNC Charlotte

Moderator: Ken Canavan, President, E4 Carolinas

3:00 – 3:15 pm
Coffee Break

3:15 – 4:00 pm

Session 6
SME Dialogue with USTR / US Commerce Department / US SBA / UK Department for Business and Trade

Small Fish in a Large Pond! How are SME’s managing bilateral expansion with wins?

Introductions by: Jonathan Dodd, Senior Trade Policy Officer, British Embassy

Panel Discussion:
Mike Hubbard, Director of International Trade, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Jonathan Szucs, General Manager, Advanced Superabrasives
Lisa Bamford, Director of Business Development, Sciencix
Daniel Andrepont, CEO, Management inSites

Moderator: Greg Sizemore, Director, NC US Export Assistance Center

4:00 – 4:15 pm
Closing Remarks:

Rachel Galloway, HM British Consul General SE USA
Scott Syfert, President, BABC Carolinas