Monday, February 15, 2016

A Past Due Level Playing Field

The only association listed on the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) website other than government and multi-lateral organizations is the Society for International Affairs (SIA).  Years ago the SIA became DDTC’s unofficial but de facto outreach, education and training arm.

Much has changed and other “just as valid” associations now exist and provide quality/value-added to practitioners on a wide-range of fronts.  Is this current situation fair to these other credible associations such as the:  American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI), International Compliance Professionals Association, National Council on International Trade Development, Association of Trade Compliance Professionals, National Defense Industrial Association, to name but a few?  Some like AAEI existed long before SIA.

Trade and professional associations and their members are very much a part of our community and contribute a great deal to regulatory compliance.  This is especially so in filling DDTC’s gaps in outreach, education and training.  Isn’t excluding all in favor of just one patently unfair?  Isn’t it time to provide equitable treatment to other relevant associations?  At a minimum shouldn’t they be listed on the DDTC website under OTHER WEB SITES or perhaps even a separate category?

So, why is the SIA still favored, listed and promoted by DDTC above all the others?  Does pushing one and punishing the others communicate a fair and level playing field for a qualified list of “at least as relevant” associations?  Is it appropriate, beneficial and healthy professionally to exclude and ignore the others?

Further, with the long-standing DDTC-SIA relationship aren’t there conflict of interest issues?  SIA has unfettered access to DDTC speakers.  DDTC also plays a significant role coordinating and crafting SIA program agendas.  Do other associations have such distinct advantages to the degree SIA does? 

What do you think?

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