The 2024 SEA Annual Meeting will be in Longboat Key, FL January 15th-17th, 2024. At this meeting we will discuss the state of short-term and permanent cap relief, DOL processing, the Northern Central America initiative and will hold a program compliance seminar.
The meeting will bring together the leading and most engaged H-2B program stakeholders.
Hotel: There are no longer rooms left at the group rate. If you have yet to book a room, you can either make a reservation at the hotel at the advertised online rate or book a nearby hotel. We recommend the Casa Limonada Boutique Motel. It is a ten minute drive from the resort.
Registration
– Includes Welcome Reception, Annual Meeting and Auction
Monday, January 15th – Day 1
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Welcome Reception at the Resort at Longboat Key Club
Location: Lower Pool deck
- Drinks and Heavy Hors d’oeuvres
- Tipboard raffle
Tuesday, January 16th – Day 2
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM: Registration and continental breakfast
Location: John Ringling Room
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM: Welcome and Status of Organization
SEA’s Executive Director will update the membership on the organization’s current membership level, financial status and ongoing initiatives.
Speaker: Gray Delany, Executive Director, Seasonal Employment Alliance
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: 2023 Year in Review
A record number of H-2B visas were issued in FY23. We will discuss what we can learn from our efforts in 2023 to provide even better outcomes for our members in 2024.
Speaker: Gray Delany, Executive Director, Seasonal Employment Alliance
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM: H-2B Ecosystem: Who are the Players?
On this panel, we will provide an overview of the players who are engaged on H-2B legislation. We will both Congressional and outside interests, industry stakeholders, our opposition and various coalitions. This panel will give us an understanding of the landscape required to navigate permanent reform through Congress.
Speakers:
Leon Sequeira, LRS Law
Stephen Replogle, Capital Consulting Group
Cristina Antelo, Ferox Strategies
Debra Dixon, Ferox Strategies
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM: 2024 Legislative Strategy
Our DC consultants will provide an update on the status of the Graham/Padilla legislation also known as the Seasonal Employment Protection Act, the centerpiece of our 2024 legislative strategy.
Speakers:
Stephen Replogle, Capital Consulting Group
Cristina Antelo, Ferox Strategies
Debra Dixon, Ferox Strategies
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Stories from the States
SEA members will share an overview of their Congressional grassroots outreach efforts. You will learn the best strategies to obtain the support of your members of Congress and state and local stakeholders.
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM: Staying Ahead of the Government: How to Stay in Compliance in 2024
Former Director of Policy at DOL Leon Sequeira, will provide an insider’s prospective of the pending DHS H-2B rule, supplemental attestation and review the current points of focus for DOL and DHS.
Speaker: Leon Sequeira, LRS Law
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM: Lunch
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Your Pathway to Obtaining Workers in 2024
We will provide an analysis of H-2B program demand and project how this impacts which start dates/group assignments will qualify for the first half supplemental and second half supplemental releases.
Speakers:
Gray Delany, Executive Director, Seasonal Employment Alliance
Luke Hettinger, SEA staff member
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM: How Will You Be Impacted by the Department of Labor’s Processing Times?
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification Administrator will provide an update on H-2B processing times, the registration system and staffing/training.
Speaker: Brian Pasternak, Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, Department of Labor
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Are Northern Central American Workers a Viable Option for my Company?
Over the last three years, SEA has worked closely with USAID, the State Department and the Northern Central American Governments to establish an H-2B program infrastructure in the countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. For the 2024 season, like 2023, DHS has allocated an additional 20,000 H-2B visas for these countries. In 2023, we held two NCA job fairs, one in El Salvador and one in Guatemala. Our experience navigating the process puts our membership in the best position to utilize DHS’ NCA allocation.
Speaker: Gray Delany, Executive Director, Seasonal Employment Alliance
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM: The Experience of Employers who have Hired NCA Workers
Employers will discuss the quality of the workforce, the process and offer advice for other employers considering Northern Central American workers.
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM: How the Various 2024 Election Scenarios will Impact the H-2B Program
SEA’s DC consultants Cristina Antelo and Stephen Replogle will offer a 2024 election analysis and how each candidate will impact the H-2B program and our legislative efforts. We will also reveal the results of the presidential straw poll.
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM: SEA Auction and Dinner
Location: Island House
The catalog of items is listed online and can be viewed here. The online auction will close on January 15th 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.
Auctioneer: Mitchell Horney, Triple H Services
Wednesday, January 17th – Day 3
9:14 AM, 9:22 AM and 9:30 AM: Seasonal Employer PAC Golf Scramble
Two to a team. $500 a player. Players will be paired according to handicap. Format is a scramble. Teammates each hit a shot then play the best one.