VMA26 ANCHORED
Global shipping, trade, and logistics are still operating in unsettled waters. Supply chains remain exposed to geopolitical disruption, changing trade policy, evolving carrier dynamics, and continued pressure to balance cost, service, resilience, and sustainability. In a market where conditions can shift overnight, success depends not only on agility but on having something stronger beneath it.
To be anchored is to lead with stability in times of instability. It means grounding strategy in trusted partnerships, sound planning, actionable data, and a clear understanding of what matters most. It means staying steady amid volatility while remaining ready to respond to whatever comes next. For shippers and service providers in global containerized trade, being anchored is not about standing still; it is about creating the foundation for smarter decisions, stronger performance, and long-term confidence.
The VMA26 International Trade Symposium will explore how industry leaders are building supply chains that are resilient, disciplined, and prepared for change. Attendees will examine the forces reshaping global trade and maritime logistics, from shifting sourcing patterns and contract strategies to technology adoption, cargo visibility, sustainability demands, regulatory developments, and the evolving balance between efficiency and resilience.
Together, we will focus on the strategies, relationships, and insights that keep supply chains grounded when markets are anything but predictable. Because in today’s shipping environment, those who are truly anchored are the ones best positioned to adapt, compete, and lead.
Anchored: Grounded in Strategy. Ready for What’s Next.
About the Symposium
Now in its 23rd year, the VMA International Trade Symposium has earned its reputation as the East Coast’s premier conference for shipping, ports, logistics, and trade.
The symposium delivers national-level insight in a dynamic setting designed for authentic conversations, strategic networking, purposeful engagement, and actionable takeaways. Hosted every fall in Norfolk, Virginia, the event brings together leaders across the maritime and logistics sectors.
The program features keynote presentations, expert panels, and signature networking experiences including the Maritime Mixer, Maritime Banquet, and Golf Open.
What began as a gathering of a few dozen professionals has grown into a must-attend industry event attracting more than 1,500+ participants from across the nation and globally.