The 2023 SEA Annual Meeting will be in Sarasota, FL January 16th-18th, 2023.
Registration
8 AM – 9 AM
Registration and continental breakfast
There will be a registration table at the entrance to Tides.
9 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome and status of SEA
Speaker:
Gray Delany, Executive Director, Seasonal Employment Alliance
Gray will update the membership on the organization’s current membership level, financial status and ongoing initiatives.
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
2022 Year in Review
Speaker:
Gray Delany, Executive Director, Seasonal Employment Alliance
2022 was a busy year for H-2B and for the Seasonal Employment Alliance. We will review our push to get a Returning Worker Exemption into the House Appropriations bill and provide an overview of our negotiations with labor.
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Fireside Chat with Danielle LeClair
Danielle LeClair will provide labor’s perspective on the H-2B program and her thoughts on the recent negotiation with SEA and with the H-2B Workforce Coalition. She will also discuss the prospects for our negotiated deal in the new Congress.
Speakers:
Danielle LeClair, Labor International Union of North America
Debra Dixon, Ferox Strategies
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
FY23 Cap Analysis
Luke Hettinger will provide an analysis of the second half cap. He will discuss how your group assignment will affect your prospect for cap relief.
Speaker:
Luke Hettinger
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Update from the Department of Labor
Brian Pasternak and Stephen Dean will provide an update on H-2B processing times, the registration system and staffing/training.
Speakers:
Brian Pasternak, Administrator, OFLC, ETA
Stephen Dean, H-2B Program Chief, ETA
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Regulatory Update
Leon Sequeira will provide an update on DHS/DOL enforcement, anticipated administrative actions and ongoing litigation.
Speakers:
Leon Sequeira
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Congressional State of Play
Our D.C. lobbying team will provide an overview of our cap relief strategy heading into the new Congress.
Speakers:
Stephen Replogle, Cove Strategies
Cristina Antelo, Ferox Strategies
Debra Dixon, Ferox Strategies
12 PM – 1 PM
Lunch
Speaker:
Dr. Andy Harris (R-MD-1)
1 PM – 1:15 PM
Overview of Northern Triangle Initiative
Over the last two years, SEA has worked closely with USAID, the State Department and the Northern Triangle Governments to establish an H-2B program infrastructure in the countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. For the 2023 season, DHS has allocated an additional 20,000 H2B visas for these countries. Our goal is to ensure the full utilization of these visas.
Speaker:
Gray Delany, Executive Director, Seasonal Employment Alliance
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM
The Department of Homeland Security’s Commitment to the Northern Triangle Initiative
Kamal Essaheb will discuss DHS’ rationale for the Northern Triangle allocation. He will also explain the filing instructions for the FY23 second and third Returning Worker visa releases.
Speaker:
Kamal Essaheb, Counselor, Office of the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security via video
1:45 PM – 2:05 PM
Overview of Process to Request Salvadoran Workers
Speakers:
Francisco Cuellar, Outreach and Monitoring Labor Mobility Program, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, El Salvador
Gerardo Perez, Director of Diaspora and Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, El Salvador via video
Elsy Vasquez, Administrator, Labor Mobility Program, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, El Salvador via video
2:05 PM – 2:30 PM
Overview of Process to Request Guatemalan Workers
Speakers:
Luis Morales, Coordinator, Department of Labor Mobility, Guatemala
Bill Carlson, Senior Technical Advisor, H2 Visa Programs, The Palladium Group
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Update on Northern Triangle Consulate Operations
Dale Lim will provide an update on Northern Triangle consulate operations and how they are preparing for the expected surge in demand.
Speaker:
Dale Lim, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Visa Services, U.S. Department of State
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
What to expect if you request Northern Triangle workers?
Veronica Birkenstock has devoted substantial resources to the Northern Triangle initiative. Over the last two years, her company has processed over 3,000 Northern Triangle workers on behalf of its clients. This year, PES expects to exceed this number. After holding mass hire events in each country over the last three months, she will give a realistic assessment of what to expect if you decide to pursue Northern Triangle workers.
Speakers:
Veronica Birkenstock, Practical Employee Solutions
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
SEPAC reception honoring Dr. Andy Harris (R-MD-1)
Location: EVOQ Terrace
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
SEA Auction and Dinner
Location: Tides
Auctioneer:
Dr. Andy Harris (R-MD-1)
The catalog of items is listed online and can be viewed here. The online auction will close on January 16th at 11:59 PM EST. The starting price of the items at the live auction will begin the closing bid price of the item online. If there are no bids at the live auction, the item will be awarded to the high online bidder.
Wednesday, January 18th
Boating and golf outings- The golf outing will be at the highly ranked Concession golf course. Concession is considered one of the top golf courses in the state of Florida.