SMITHFIELD, RI — With the 40th Global Trade Summit just days away, on September 24, Bryant’s international business conference will address many of the issues confronting businesses today, including tariffs and shifting trade policy, supply-chain resilience, automation, artificial intelligence, economic uncertainty, geopolitics and international market opportunities. The Summit comes as businesses are navigating changing costs, sourcing challenges and market access.
“The pace and complexity of change in global trade today is dramatically different than when the Summit began 40 years ago,” said Jason Kelly, director of the John H. Chafee Center for International Business. “Businesses are looking for clarity and flexibility, but they also recognize that uncertainty is not going away. The goal of the Summit is to connect business leaders and innovators around practical ideas they can take back to their organizations.”
Among the notable sessions featured at this year’s Summit:
· Canada and Rhode Island’s Global Trade Relationship: The Summit will feature the Honorable Bernadette Jordan, Consul General of Canada in New England, in a discussion focused on Rhode Island’s longstanding economic relationship with Canada. Joined by Sam Macdonald, Chief Commercial Officer at Open Ocean Robotics, Jordan will offer a unique perspective on cross-border commerce and opportunities for Rhode Island businesses to expand their international relationships, with a particular focus on the region’s ocean and defense economies.
· Global Trade Outlooks & Realignment: Brendan LaCerda, Director in Moody’s Analytics’ Economic Research Group, will examine how fiscal policy is reshaping international trade. As the lead analyst for U.S. fiscal policy and inflation forecasts, LaCerda brings more than 15 years of experience as a macroeconomic forecaster, with recent research focused on tariffs and global supply chains. His session will provide attendees with perspective on the economic and policy forces driving changes in global trade and how businesses can evaluate their exposure and prepare for continued uncertainty.
· Rhode Island’s Life Sciences Opportunity: Bob Cormier, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub, will draw on more than 25 years of experience leading innovation, business growth and organizational transformation across the United States and Europe. His discussion will examine trends shaping the life sciences and medtech sectors and how Rhode Island can leverage its innovation strengths to create new opportunities for economic growth across the state and region.
· The Future of Supply Chain Automation: Michael Santora, Founder and CEO of Logic, will explore the latest innovations in supply chain and warehouse automation, including the technology powering the next evolution of end-to-end supply chain efficiencies.
· Trade, Technology, & Tariffs: Eric Johnson, Senior Editor at the Journal of Commerce; Ryan McGuire, Northeast Regional Sales Director at DSV; and William Duclos, NPI Operations and Supply Chain Manager at Amphenol will participate in a moderated panel examining the evolving logistics landscape and strategies for building more resilient and efficient supply chains.
· AI and the Changing Business Landscape: Kevin Ricci, Partner at Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC, and Dr. George Westerman, pioneering researcher, author and Senior Lecturer at MIT, will explore the growing impact of artificial intelligence on organizations. The discussion will look at how businesses can approach emerging AI technologies and the opportunities and challenges they create for companies competing in an increasingly technology-driven global marketplace.
· Own the CLIMB: Closing out the Summit, Bryant alumna Monika Sattler, performance advisor for C-suite executives and corporate teams, will present “Own the CLIMB,” focused on maintaining performance in uncertain times, creating clarity through leadership and building sustainable workplace cultures. Sattler will provide strategies for leading through change while keeping teams focused, resilient and positioned for long-term success.
Together, the day’s sessions are designed to give attendees a broader understanding of the forces shaping the global economy while providing practical tools for responding to them.
Registration is open for the 2026 Global Trade Summit. To view the complete agenda and reserve your seat, visit global-trade-summit.bryant.edu.
About the John H. Chafee Center for International Business
The John H. Chafee Center for International Business is Rhode Island's designated agency for world trade and export activities. For more than 40 years, the Center has helped grow Rhode Island's economy through international business development, export assistance, strategic consulting, trade missions, market research, and educational programming.
About Bryant University
For more than 160 years, Bryant University has prepared innovative leaders through an integrated education that combines business, the liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences. Located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Bryant is nationally recognized for student outcomes, return on investment, and preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly changing global economy.