HIMC Agenda

November 2 – 5, 2026 – Hilton Americas, Downtown Houston

Our comprehensive schedule of events features an exciting lineup of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to inform and inspire attendees and to help them stay ahead of the latest trends and developments in the industry.

With a focus on the future of shipping, our conference is the perfect platform to learn from experts, network with peers, and explore innovative solutions to the maritime industry’s challenges.

Join the conversation with #HIMC26.

Contact [email protected] for 2026 sponsorship opportunities.

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HIMC26 Event Topics Agenda

Day 1: Monday, November 2
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Waterside Terminal Tour
Includes refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Transportation provided.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Welcome Reception
Location: Zaranda, 1550 Lamar St., Houston, TX 77010

Day 2: Tuesday, November 3
7:00 AM
Registration and Breakfast
7:50 AM
Port Houston Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:20 AM – 8:50 AM
Keynote: The Economic Forces Fueling Texas and the Nation
8:50 AM – 9:20 AM
Powering Houston’s Future: Driving Regional and Statewide Economic
Growth
9:20 AM – 10:10 AM
The State of Trade: Ocean Carriers on Market Dynamics and What’s Next
10:10 AM – 10:30 AM
Networking Break
10:30 AM – 11:20 AM
Keeping Cargo Moving: Port Efficiency in a Demanding Supply Chain
11:20 AM – 12:10 PM
Moving Resins: Houston Trade and Global Markets
12:10 PM – 1:20 PM
Lunch
1:20 PM – 2:10 PM
Navigating Uncertainty: Geopolitics, Trade Policy, and Global Supply
Chains
2:15 PM – 2:50 PM
Ballroom – Intelligent Supply Chains: Harnessing AI to Drive
Performance and Resilience

Room A – From Zero to Zone: Understanding U.S. Foreign Trade
Zones

Room B – The Cotton Supply Chain: Challenges and Opportunities

Room C – Breakbulk, Project Cargo, and Global Trade

2:50 PM – 3:10 PM
Networking Break
3:10 PM – 3:50 PM
Ballroom – Keeping Commerce Cool: The Critical Role of the Cold
Chain

Room A – The FTZ Advantage: Smart Tariff Mitigation for Global
Competitiveness

Room B – Building the Talent Pipeline: Connecting Education and
Industry

Room C – The Future of Steel Logistics

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Ballroom – Competing in Global Markets: The Export Perspective

Room A – FTZ 84 in Action: Opportunities and Success

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Evening Reception
Location: Hilton Americas

Day 3: Wednesday, November 4
7:45 AM
Registration and Breakfast
8:30 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:50 AM – 9:40 AM
Navigating Risk and Building Resilience in Global Supply Chains
9:40 AM – 10:20 AM
Guest Speaker
10:20 AM – 10:40 AM
Networking Break
10:30 AM – 11:20 AM
Navigating Global Trade: The Panama Canal’s Next Chapter
11:20 AM – 12:10 PM
The Import Outlook: Navigating Change in Global Supply Chains
12:10 PM – 1:00 PM
Petrochemical Supply Chains: Challenges and Opportunities
1:00 PM
Closing Remarks

Day 4: Thursday, November 5
8:00 AM
Golf Outing – Wildcat Golf Club
Registration & Driving Range Open
9:00 AM
Shotgun Start
2:30 PM
Awards Presentation