“We have a lot of good speakers this year that are bringing some good content and takeaways for the industry to go back and think about and to implement at their companies.” Summit last brought industry compliance professionals together in-person in Alexandria, Virginia. Hosting the conference in Newport Beach, California, in 2022 gave it and its attendees greater access to the organizations and professionals working one of the world’s largest port complexes. This year’s event drew 134 attendees, 32 of whom were first-timers. It’s also just good to be back together. Dean Johnson, compliance manager at PCNA and a PRAG member, says, “I think the opportunity to just be able to network with such a wide range of people with so much knowledge, from people who are new to the industry to people who have been here for many, many years, and to be able to actually sit and look somebody in the eye and learn, is invaluable.” China Concerns With concerns over product responsibility issues and stability undermining confidence in its role as a production hub, China is front of mind among many industry professionals working in the compliance field. That was reflected among Summit attendees. A real-time poll during the conference found that 83% were looking to move production elsewhere. China was the focus of several of the sessions during Summit’s first full day. The insights participants shared on their Chinese production intentions were part of a discussion on country risk assessment. It brought together experts from outside the industry – Jennifer Winter, an associate director at business risk and sustainability solutions provider Elevate, and Kelli Hoggle, network representative for U.S. and Canada at amfori, a global business association for open and sustainable trade – and inside, Nathan Cotter, vice president of supply chain at supplier Hit Promotional Products, for a conversation on comprehensive risk analysis when evaluating a new country for possible sourcing solutions. The dialog on China continued with Isaac Stone Fish, founder and CEO of Strategy Risks, a consultancy helping companies manage and reduce their risks doing business in China. PPAI Director of Member Engagement Anne Stone, CAE, MAS, joined him on stage to review a new Chinese law that provides for retaliation against companies that comply with sanctions against Chinese entities. Companies seeking to source products fromChina tread a narrow path to both adhere to U.S. prohibitions against products produced through forced labor and to avoid drawing the ire of the PPAI/582106 SAGE/50398 hFull Color, Full Coverage Imprint h"bm]Ѳ; ou o0Ѳ; "b7; ubmࢼm] hPole, Ground Stake & Carry Bag Complete Packages Include: 53 Styles Available No Minimums Go To bv1om| -uh;ࢼm] uo71|vĸ1ol ŝ Ѳb1h om uoloࢼomv =ou "-Ѳ; ub1bm] EQPFeather Flag Sale! ;Ѳ;0u-ࢼm] u Ǝƍ|_ +;-u | NOVEMBER 2022 | 85 CONNECT
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