The Greater Irvine Chamber’s April 17 Business Advocacy Speakers Series meeting on Understanding and Mitigating the Business Impact of U.S. Tariffs, will feature a panel of global trade experts who will share insights into the complexities of today’s trade policy landscape and potential impact on business:
- Steven Alves, Global Freight & Logistics Alliance Specialist
With over 35 years of professional experience in distribution, supply chain, and global trade, Alves began his career serving the Port of Oakland and NYK Shipping Lines at the Port of Long Beach. Today, his background includes domestic distribution, export, international marketing, and global freight alliance development and management. He founded an international marketing company 20 years ago and has served on the Board of Directors for the Global Freight Forwarders Group, Life Logistics Pharmaceutical logistics network, and the Aerospace Logistics Group.
- Bill Edwards, CEO, Edwards Global Services, Inc.
A Global Business Development Advisor and global trade subject matter expert, Edwards has five decades of international operations, development, executive, consulting, and entrepreneurial experience as a technical manager and operations executive. He has lived in China, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, and Turkey, worked on projects in more than 50 countries, and directed seven new country start-ups. He is the chairman of the District Export Council of Southern California and is past chairman of the World Affairs Council of Orange County. He serves as an international trade advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and to the U.S. Trade Representative.
- Jennings Imel, Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Western Regional Office
Jennings has worked in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress and at the public affairs firm Mercury, Clark & Weinstock. Earlier, he worked in the California State Assembly and managed and worked on several successful congressional and state legislative campaigns, primarily in Southern California. At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, his office is responsible for legislative and political grassroots activities in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah in support of the Chamber’s national public policy goals.
Moderated by Greater Irvine Chamber President & CEO Dave Coffaro, discussion topics will include:
- The current and future landscape of U.S. tariffs
- Real-world impacts on local and global businesses
- Strategic steps to mitigate risk
- How engagement with the Chamber supports effective advocacy and practical solutions
The meeting on Thursday, April 17, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., is open to Greater Irvine Chamber members and community partners free of charge with required advanced registration.
Register to be part of this informative conversation!
