2026 AFI Annual Convention
4/15/2026 - 4/17/2026
Description
AFI is returning to the luxurious Resort at Longboat Key April 15-17 for its 2026 Annual Convention! The convention committee has put together an impressive slate of speakers to cover topics of great importance in today’s challenging trade environment.
Scheduled Presentations:
Use of AI and Other Technology in Working with Other Sectors of the Industry
Panel on Tariff/Trade Issues
Update on Key FDA Issues
A Look at the Current FDA Enforcement Approach
The event will begin with a registration Wednesday afternoon that includes a networking component, followed by an evening poolside welcoming reception. The presentations will take place Thursday and Friday mornings, with activities planned for Thursday afternoon, followed by a reception and dinner. Optional events will be available for those who want to stay after the Friday sessions end.
Hotel
The Longboat Key Club is a five-star beach resort with golf, tennis, pickleball and fine dining on site and is close to St. Armand’s Circle, a spot known for its great restaurants and shopping. Thursday night’s dinner will be a casino night, an entertaining way to have some fun with industry colleagues.
Those looking to make hotel reservations can do by clicking here.
Schedule
| Wednesday, April 15 | |
| Noon | AFI Board of Directors Meeting |
| 2 p.m. | NAOOA Executive Committee Meeting |
| 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Registration & Importer Resource Gallery |
| 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
| Thursday, April 16 | |
| 8 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9 a.m. | “Commerce Reimagined: Building AI-Driven, Data-Led Growth in Modern Trade" |
| 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:45 a.m. | "Trade/Tariff Panel" Mark Segrist, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Tom Cook, Blue Tiger International Michael Shoule, RW Hampton Tracey Gonzalez, Husch Blackwell |
| 1 p.m. | Golf |
| 6 p.m. | Reception & Dinner/Casino Night |
| Friday, April 17 | |
| 8 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:45 a.m. | AFI General Membership Meeting |
| 9:15 a.m. | “Federal/State Regulatory Update” Mason Weeda, OFW Law |
| 9:45 a.m. | "FDA Enforcement: Today’s Landscape" Domenick Veneziano, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg |
| 10:15 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30 a.m. | “Functional Foods & the Term ‘Healthy’ on Food Packaging” Tracey Gonzalez, Husch Blackwell |
| 11 a.m. | Chef Demonstration Chef from Resort at Longboat Key Club |
| 6 p.m. | Optional Dinner Site to be Announced - Additional Fee |
Events
Golf Outing (Thursday) - $225
Pickleball Clinic (Thursday) - $50
Optional Friday Dinner - $149
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
Welcome Bag - SOLD OUT!
Registration Refreshments - $1,000
Breakfast Sponsor - $1,500
Break Sponsor - SOLD OUT!
Welcome Reception - $2,000
Friday Reception - $2,000
Printed Program - SOLD OUT!
Keynote Speaker - $2,000
Friday Dinner - $1,000
Dinner Wine - $1,000
Dinner Entertainment (Casino Night) - SOLD OUT!
Name Badges - $1,000
Saturday’s Optional Dinner - $1,500
Pickleball - $1,500
Golf Lunch - $1,000
Golf Beverage Cart - $1,000
Golf Hole - $200
Corporate Sponsorship - You Choose the Amount
Sponsors
Welcome Bag
Break Sponsor
Printed Program
Friday Dinner
Dinner Entertainment (Casino Night)
Golf Hole
Corporate Sponsorship
Members: $875 | Non-Members: $1049
Participation in the Importer Resource Gallery is free to companies with at least one representative with full convention registration, though a table must be reserved during registration! Companies wishing to participate only in the gallery will pay a fee of $399, which includes the fee for the table and one person to man the table. Additional registrants - $99 each (unless registered for the full convention). The additional table registration of $99 includes attendance at the convention’s welcome reception that begins at 6 p.m.
No refunds for cancellations made after April 6, 2026
220 Sands Point Rd
Longboat Key, FL 34228 United States
Those looking to make hotel reservations can do by clicking here.