Two C-TPAT conferences scheduled for 2011

Two C-TPAT conferences scheduled for 2011    U.S. Customs and Border Protection will hold two supply chain security training conferences next year for companies that belong to the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, program manager Bradd Skinner said at public meeting earlier this month.
   The sessions will be held in San Diego, March 29-31; and in New Orleans, June 7-9.
   C-TPAT is a voluntary program for importers that agree to follow minimum supply chain security standards, and require suppliers and transportation service providers to follow their approved security plans, in exchange for a reduced likelihood of CBP inspections and front-of-the-line processing for inspections, among other stated benefits. More than 10,000 companies participate in the program. The idea is to create a universe of known, trusted shippers that do not need to have their cargo scrutinized on a regular basis so that border officers can devote their attention to unknown and high-risk shipments.
   The format of the conferences, similar to the past couple of years, will have a general session-day sandwiched between two days of workshops so that more people are able to attend, Skinner said at the Commercial Operations Advisory Committee meeting.
   Only two representatives per company will be allowed to attend so more companies can be represented. Tier 3 members will be given preference for the event they choose.
   Training seminars will cover topics such as:
   ' Post-incident analysis process.
   ' Conducting a comprehensive supply chain security risk assessment.
   ' Techniques to confirm evidence of implementation of security procedures.
   ' Suspension and removal from C-TPAT.
   ' Security risk indicators.
   ' Developing a sustainable security training and awareness program.
   ' Proactive approaches to prevent a security breach.
   For the third year in a row, CBP will also host a conference for C-TPAT motor carriers that operate across the northern border.
   CBP is expected to post details about the conferences on its C-TPAT Web portal later this week. Online registration will begin Jan. 5. ' Eric Kulisch