News & Insights

The Zika virus, primarily transmitted by a yellow fever mosquito, was first discovered in 1947 in the Zika forest in Uganda, but it didn’t make headline news until last year when a mysterious rash-causing illness began spreading across northeastern states in Brazil. Within months there was a sudden surge in microcephaly in infants in Brazil — a congenital disorder in which a baby is born with an underdeveloped brain and abnormally small head. By the end of December, Brazil had reported nearly 3,000 cases of microcephaly, and in early 2016, Puerto Rico reported its first case. Now, the Zika virus […]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently updated its 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook, calling for a higher likelihood of a near-normal or above-normal season. In fact, the season, which runs from June through the end of November, is expected to be the most active since 2012. According to NOAA forecasters, we should expect a 70% chance of 12 to 17 named storms, of which 5 to 8 are expected to become hurricanes, including 2 to 4 major hurricanes. The seasonal averages are 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. Is your logistics firm prepared for a […]

Roanoke is hosting a complimentary webinar titled U.S. Export Controls and Sanctions Compliance for Transportation Intermediaries  presented by Jamie Joiner of Joiner Law Firm on September 20, 2016, from 1-2pm CT. There have been many changes to the U.S. sanctions programs targeting Iran, Cuba, Russia and other specific countries, regimes, and individuals over the past year.  As a result of the Obama Administration’s Export Control Reform initiative, there have also been several changes to the U.S. export controls system and the expectations that apply not only to exporters but also to their service providers including freight forwarders, brokers, booking agents, and […]

This one day MGTA event will provide a full-day of insight, analysis, tips and tools for anyone involved in buying, selling or moving goods internationally. Fifteen speakers, including Roanoke’s own Amanda Barlow, will present on nine different global trade topics. Don’t miss this unique educational and networking opportunity, the only of its kind this fall in Upstate New York. You can also use this educational event to log 8.5 NEI CCS or CES credits! Date: September 14, 2016 Time: 8:30am – 6:30pm ET Address: Ramada Geneva Lakefront, 41 Lake Front Drive, Geneva, NY 14456 Cost: $150 The cost of admission includes the […]

Export University Presented by Houston District Export Council and Roanoke Trade When:  September 22, 2016 Where: Houston Community College – Spring Branch Campus Cost:    $65 ATA Carnets Does your company ship exhibits to international trade shows? Do you service projects in foreign countries? Do you travel with samples and prototypes to promote new products? If you answered yes to any of the questions above then you should attend this ATA Carnet Workshop. Export & Import Documentation Learn why the commercial and transport documents produced are so important and how to make them more effective. Understand their impact on customs clearance and […]

Earlier this year reports of international rings targeting California’s booming agriculture industry and increasingly stealing truckloads of high-value nuts made front-page news. In fact, in 2015 California nut shipment thefts totaled losses of $4.6 million with 31 cases reported. Indeed food and beverages have replaced electronics as the most-stolen goods in the U.S., with losses in this category totaling $3.81 million in the second quarter of 2016, according to CargoNet. Why is food, particularly nuts, such a hot commodity for criminals? Nuts are expensive, they have a long shelf life, and they don’t have serial numbers necessary to track or […]