The SEA Fall Strategy Session and Retreat, hosted by SEA Chairman Roger Warren and Kiawah Island Golf Resort, will bring together SEA Leadership and the leading H-2B strategists.
This meeting is strategically timed. We should have a good idea of DHS’ plans for its 2024 visa release and by early October, we will have a better idea of the viability of the Graham/Padilla legislation. We will also reflect on lessons learned from 2023 and go over the various cap relief scenarios for 2024 to put you in the best position to get your workers. With DOL’s persistent processing issues, it is imperative that you have a strategy that takes this into account. This meeting is an excellent opportunity to network with the most engaged employers and H-2B program agents/facilitators.
What: 2023 SEA Fall Strategy Session and Retreat
When: October 3-6, 2023
Where: Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island, SC (33 miles from Charleston International Airport)
We have reserved a room block at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. There are two options, the Kiawah Island Villas for $275 a night and the five star Sanctuary Hotel for $756 a night. Reservations must be made by completing the SEA fall session room reservation form and emailing it to group_reservations@kiawahresort.com. You may also make call 1-800-654-2924. You should reference the group “Seasonal Employment Alliance” and/or the group booking number of 21206.
Meeting Registration: $350 meeting registration fee includes welcome dinner and breakfast and lunch during the meeting. Click link below to register.
Schedule:
Tuesday, October 3rd depending on if you plan to partake in Wednesday’s recreational day, you can either arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday
- Arrive in Charleston
Wednesday, October 4th
Recreation Day
- Golf at Cougar Point or the Ocean Course, tee times TBD
- Kayaking on the Kiawah River
- Relaxing on the beach
Welcome Reception and Long Put Competition to benefit the Seasonal Employer PAC
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
The Ocean Course
Thursday, October 5th
SEA Strategy Session detailed agenda below
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Turtle Point Golf Club, Legends BC
Afternoon: Open
Seasonal Employer PAC Golf Scramble (two person teams. $500 per player)
1:00 PM and 2:20 PM
Turtle Point
Reception
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Private Home Location Provided upon Registration
Friday, October 6th
Lindsey Graham Breakfast Fundraiser
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Room TBD
SEA Strategy Session Agenda
Welcome and Recap of FY 2023
Speaker: Gray Delany
- How many visas were issued in 2023, 1st half vs. 2nd half, Northern Central America visa issuances
- When caps were met, start dates who got workers in each allotment
- DOL processing timeline
Expectations for FY 2024
Speaker: Gray Delany, Debra Dixon, Cristina Antelo, Stephen Replogle
- Review of anticipated cap relief language (anticipated DHS discretionary visa release, appropriations language scenarios, outlook for permanent fix)
- Graham/Padilla bill update
- DOL processing demand for Fall applications and what that means for additional 1st half cap relief visa availability
Are NCA workers a viable option?
Speakers: Employers and SEA member agents/processors with NCA experience
- 2023 overview (demand, timelines, country comparison)
- Comparison in timing for 1st half vs 2nd half requests.
- CGI/Atlas/Travel Docs issues, and replacement for 2024?
- Quality of workers (have some large employers speak on the worker’s ability compared to new workers from Mexico, Resignation/AWOL, absoncions data from FY23 from LCI, PES, MAS, etc)
Mitigating and Preparing for DOL Processing Delays:
Speaker: Luke Hettinger
- Review of the demand at DOL for FY2024, and expectations for cap relief (quantity and timing). This would include when second half cap is expected to be met, when additional visas will be made available, and when those visas will be exhausted.
- Discussion of DOL registration and potential impact on changing need from 2023 certification to a new start date for 2024.
- Expected DOL 2024 processing timeline, projection for 2024 requested start dates.
- Availability of NCA workers as a back-up to returning workers.
DOL/USCIS/State “Case Studies” discussion: Examples of department issues from 2023. What were the issues, what steps did we take to resolve them and what was the resolution?
Speakers: SEA member agents
Q & A Session
Analysis of Graham/Padilla legislation
Speaker: Leon Sequeira
- Cap impact analysis
- Preparing for new fees, audits and regulations