C-TPAT seminar a hot ticket

C-TPAT seminar a hot ticket    Industry response for this year’s annual Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism training seminar on supply chain security was so great that U.S. Customs had to shut down online registration within 90 minutes on Jan. 6 after all 1,200 slots were filled, program director Bradd Skinner said Friday.
   Many companies have offered to participate in panels or security demonstrations, he said.
   The popular event will be held in Anaheim, Calif., March 17-19. It has been held in New Orleans the past few years. There is no fee to attend this year.
   The training seminar is an opportunity for representatives of companies in the voluntary partnership program to be briefed about security best practices, the challenges of balancing security during lean business times and new CBP initiatives.
   The agency increased attendance last year by having the general session in the middle of the day and then splitting the audience between the first and last days for workshops conducted in smaller rooms.
   There are now 9,655 companies certified to receive C-TPAT program benefits, such as front-of-the-line status for container exams. ' Eric Kulisch