Tariffs 2025: A Strategic Inflection Point for U.S. Businesses
Learn how U.S. businesses can strategically respond to new tariffs in 2025. Gain insights on risk mitigation, supply chain strategy, and long-term resilience.
Are you confident in your importing process? Whether you’re new to international trade or looking to strengthen your company’s compliance program, this webinar offers the essential knowledge every manufacturer needs to stay competitive and compliant.
Join us for a focused session designed to help manufacturers build a solid foundation for trade compliance. Learn how to effectively work with freight forwarders and customs brokers, define internal responsibilities, and develop a multi-level compliance program that supports your long-term growth.
Key takeaways include:
Understanding the roles of freight forwarders, customs brokers, and your internal team
Developing proper import/export vetting and compliance procedures
Creating a scalable, multi-level compliance program tailored to your business
Learning the basics of tariffs, duties, and trade documentation
Strengthening your company’s reputation with sound compliance practices
Why Attend?
Import/export mistakes can be costly both financially and legally. This webinar will help manufacturers mitigate risk, avoid penalties, and identify new growth opportunities through smarter compliance practices. By understanding tariffs and trade regulations, your company can make more informed sourcing decisions, better manage supplier relationships, and be more agile in a global marketplace.
Partners:
The Illinois District Export Council (ILDEC) is the Illinois Chapter of the National DEC program of the Illinois Department of Commerce. Closely affiliated with the U.S. Commercial Service, District Export Councils (DEC) serve as the “Voice of the Exporter” in their localities around the United States. The Illinois Dec is comprised of successful exporters, accountants, lawyers, freight forwarders, bankers, trade professionals, academics, and members of local government. We pool our knowledge as volunteers to provide a source of professional, real-world advice to businesses and to our state’s international trade community.
Presenter
Lisa Victoria Waller
President and co-owner of BDG International, Inc. Executive Secretary of the Illinois District Export Council
Lisa Victoria Waller (Anderson) is the President and co-owner of BDG International, Inc., a renowned full-service international freight forwarder, U.S. Customs Broker, FTZ consultant, and trade consultancy based in Elgin (Chicago), Illinois. Founded in 1983 by the Anderson family, BDG International has become an industry leader, recognized for its excellence in global trade services. Notably, in 2013, the firm was awarded the prestigious President’s “E” Award for Excellence in Exporting by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Under Lisa’s leadership, the company expanded its global footprint by launching BDG International (India) Pvt Ltd in 2007, with additional offices in Mumbai (2020), Ahmedabad (2022) and BDG International for Logistics Service (Jordan) LLC. (2025).
Lisa is actively involved in shaping U.S. trade policy and customs practices. She serves as Executive Secretary of the Illinois District Export Council, appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and is the President of the Chicago Customs Broker and Forwarder Association. A Licensed Customs Broker and Certified Export and Customs Specialist, Lisa has more than 32 years of experience in global trade. She has developed a specialized FTZ (Foreign Trade Zone) consulting and administration program that supports U.S. and foreign direct investment companies in optimizing trade strategies.
Her deep expertise in U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) regulations and partner government agencies, along with her international experience, positions Lisa as a thought leader in the global logistics industry. Her hands-on management of BDG's India operations and development of the new Jordan office has further honed her knowledge of cross-border trade and offshore business dynamics. Since 1993, Lisa has dedicated herself to consulting, training, and speaking engagements across the U.S., where she helps importers and exporters streamline logistics, implement compliance processes, and navigate complex international trade challenges.
Lisa earned her bachelor’s degree in International Business with a focus on Eastern Studies from Illinois State University.
Lisa Victoria Waller continues to play a pivotal role in advancing global trade and fostering cross-border business success through BDG International’s innovative solutions and trusted expertise.
