The Southern Border Conference is an annual event dedicated to addressing key issues in trade and customs operations along the U.S.-Mexico border. Hosted by the Mid-Valley Customs Brokers Association (MVCBA), the conference brings together industry professionals, government officials, and experts to discuss developments and challenges in border trade.
The 2025 conference, held from September 24 to 27 at the Courtyard Marriott in South Padre Island, Texas, featured sessions on topics such as Foreign Trade Zones, USMCA qualification rules, and updates on trade remedies and tariffs. Notable speakers included Robert Stein from Braumiller Consulting Group and Cindy De Leon of DeLeon Trade LLC.
Attendees had opportunities for networking through events like the Welcome Cocktail Reception, Fish Fry, and The Grand Luau. The conference also offered ACE Portal Training Sessions for hands-on learning. The event was approved for 10.5 credits for CCS/MCS, CES/MES, and LCB certifications, providing valuable continuing education for professionals in the field.
The Southern Border Conference is ideal for customs brokers, importers, exporters, and trade compliance professionals seeking to stay informed on border trade issues, enhance their skills, and connect with peers and industry leaders.
Speakers(27)
Armando Goncalvez
CBP Official at U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Armando Goncalvez is a CBP official based in Nogales, focusing on Southern Border issues.
Armando Taboada
CBP Official at U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Armando Taboada is a CBP official based in Laredo, addressing Southern Border issues.
Bradford Slutsky
CBP Official at U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Bradford Slutsky is a CBP official based in Washington, DC, involved in addressing Southern Border issues.
Carlos Rodriguez
CBP Portal Expert at U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Carlos Rodriguez is a CBP Portal expert, providing one-on-one ACE Portal training sessions to assist users in addressing challenges with the Portal.
Cindy De Leon
Founder at DeLeon Trade LLC
Cindy De Leon, former CBP Assistant Field Director with over 30 years of experience in trade compliance, audits, and product qualification, assists clients in strengthening internal control programs to ensure U.S. Customs compliance.
Coley Anderson
Director of Industry and Government Relations & Enterprise Solutions Specialist at Registrar Corp
Coley Anderson educates foreign governments, trade associations, and companies about U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, conducting seminars globally.
Dennis McKenzie
Deputy Executive Director, Cargo & Conveyance Security at U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Dennis McKenzie is the Deputy Executive Director of Cargo & Conveyance Security within the Office of Field Operations at U.S. Customs & Border Protection, responsible for overseeing cargo release functions at ports of entry throughout the United States.
Federico Zuniga
Representative at NCBFAA NEI
Federico Zuniga represents the NCBFAA NEI, providing updates on continuing education and association developments.
Fernando Thome
CBP Official at U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Fernando Thome is a CBP official based in El Paso, focusing on Southern Border issues.
George Tuttle
Attorney at Law Offices of George R. Tuttle, A.P.C.
George Tuttle specializes in international trade law, focusing on country of origin determinations and the Substantial Transformation Rule.
James Amyx
Attorney at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
James Amyx advises clients on U.S. export control issues, including economic sanctions and restrictions under the Export Administration Regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Joseph “Jay” Acayan
Partner at Roberts & Kehagiaras LLP
Joseph “Jay” Acayan has over 25 years of experience in international trade law and customs compliance, advising clients on import and export regulations and supply chain security.
Juan J. Porras
CBP Official at U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Juan J. Porras is a CBP official based in Laredo, involved in Southern Border issues.
Kathleen Dorman
Director at Roanoke
Kathleen Dorman is a director at Roanoke, focusing on customs bond sufficiency amidst trade remedy tariffs and the expiration of the TSA.
Kristi App
Vice President at NCBFAA
Kristi App serves as Vice President of the NCBFAA, offering insights into continuing education and association updates.
Lawrence W. Hanson
Of Counsel at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.
Lawrence W. Hanson specializes in international trade and import and export regulations, assisting clients with penalty and liquidated damages claims, audits, and compliance programs.
Luis Bazan
Director at Pharr International Bridge
Luis Bazan serves as the Director of the Pharr International Bridge, overseeing operations and facilitating international trade between the U.S. and Mexico.
Mark Guerra
Consumer Safety Officer at U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Mark Guerra has over 25 years of experience at the FDA, specializing in import operations, food safety inspections, and regulatory compliance for FDA-regulated commodities entering the United States.
Matías Gallegos
Attorney at Givens & Johnston, PLLC
Matías Gallegos advises clients on complex matters before U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other trade-related agencies, focusing on tariff classification, valuation, and compliance.
Meghan Roser
Scorekeeper at Roser & J. Cowen Logistical Services Ltd
Meghan Roser serves as a scorekeeper at Roser & J. Cowen Logistical Services Ltd, assisting in sessions on Southern Border issues.
Mirna J. Custis
Director of Cosmetics and Medical Device Services at Registrar Corp
Mirna J. Custis leads the Cosmetics and Medical Device Services divisions at Registrar Corp, supporting global clients with U.S. FDA and Health Canada regulatory compliance.
Monste Hernandez
Director at Roanoke
Monste Hernandez serves as a director at Roanoke, addressing customs bond sufficiency and related trade compliance issues.
Neto Roser
Moderator at Roser & J. Cowen Logistical Services Ltd
Neto Roser is a moderator at Roser & J. Cowen Logistical Services Ltd, facilitating discussions on Southern Border issues.
Robert Stein
Vice President at Braumiller Consulting Group
Robert Stein has over 36 years of experience in Customs brokerage, freight forwarding, and consulting, specializing in import and export compliance, Foreign Trade Zones, bonded warehouses, duty drawback, HTS classification, Incoterms, and Free Trade Agreements.
Ruben Barberena
CBP Portal Expert at U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Ruben Barberena is a CBP Portal expert, offering personalized ACE Portal training sessions to help users navigate the Portal's functionality.
Scott Johnston
Attorney at Givens & Johnston, PLLC
Scott Johnston assists clients with administrative matters before federal agencies related to importation and exportation trade issues, providing subject matter support in enforcement cases.
Vicky Wu
Attorney at Braumiller Law Group
Vicky Wu is an attorney at Braumiller Law Group, advising on country of origin issues and the Substantial Transformation Rule.
Event Details
- Date
- October 20-22, 2025
- 3 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 South Padre Island, United States
- Courtyard Marriott
- Pricing
- $275 - $475
- Audience
- Customs brokers, importers, exporters, trade compliance professionals
- CLE Credits
- 10.5 credits for CCS/MCS, CES/MES, LCB
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