The following column was originally published in the Laredo Morning Times Business Journal. Laredo College participates each month and everyone is encouraged to pick up a copy of the Laredo Morning Times to catch the story first.
Column by: Jose Solis, Global Logistics Center Department Chair
This year's Port Laredo Global Trade Summit is the first of its kind, and we're very excited that Laredo College and the Global Logistics Center were a part of it. The summit was created to bring together leaders in logistics, transportation, government and international trade from across North America—and even other parts of the world—to discuss the future of global trade, cross-border commerce and innovation.
As the nation's largest inland port, Laredo is the ideal place to host these conversations. The summit allowed participants to experience firsthand the infrastructure, technology, partnerships and logistics network that move hundreds of billions of dollars in trade through our region each year, while positioning Laredo as a premier hub for collaboration and investment in international trade.
For Laredo College and the Global Logistics Center, participating in the summit provides an invaluable opportunity to connect with industry leaders, strengthen existing partnerships and introduce attendees to the educational programs that are preparing the next generation of logistics professionals. We also look forward to continuing our collaboration with the City of Laredo and supporting future trade summits and other initiatives that promote international trade and economic growth in our region.
One of the things that makes the Global Logistics Center unique is our commitment to learning beyond the classroom. While a strong academic foundation is important, we believe students learn best when they can connect what they study with real-world experiences. Events like the Port Laredo Global Trade Summit give our students the opportunity to see the logistics industry in action, meet professionals and better understand how the concepts they learn in class are applied every day.
For many of them, the summit was their first opportunity to experience an international trade conference of this scale. They were able to see firsthand how government agencies, private industry, transportation providers and trade organizations come together to discuss the future of global commerce. Beyond supporting the event, they had the opportunity to network with professionals from across the United States and other countries, giving them valuable exposure to the logistics industry and potential career opportunities.
“The experience was invaluable, bringing everything we study in the classroom directly to life,” LC Logistics Student Cesar Ibarra said. “The interaction between customs brokers, 3PL leaders, industry financial organizations and CBP changes one's perspective. Seeing how companies are practically using AI, boosting real-time shipment visibility and adapting ongoing tariff changes showed me where the industry is heading.”
The experience also helped our students develop important professional skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving and customer service. These are the same skills employers look for in today's workforce, and the summit provided a real-world environment where students could put them into practice. Overall, they came away with a greater appreciation for the importance of international trade, a better understanding of the logistics profession and renewed excitement about the careers they are preparing to enter.
In addition to the summit, we regularly organize educational visits to key logistics facilities throughout the region, including the World Trade Bridge, the Laredo rail bridge, U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection facilities at the airport, warehouses, distribution centers and local businesses involved in international trade. These experiences allow students to see firsthand how goods move through the supply chain and the many organizations that work together to keep international commerce moving efficiently and securely.
These hands-on experiences are invaluable because they bridge the gap between theory and practice. Instead of simply reading about customs operations, transportation or supply chain management, students see those processes firsthand, ask questions and interact with the professionals performing those jobs. That exposure not only reinforces what they learn in the classroom but also helps them build confidence, explore career opportunities and graduate with a much better understanding of the industry they are preparing to enter.
For our logistics faculty, the summit was an outstanding professional development opportunity. It allowed us to network with industry leaders, government officials and logistics professionals while learning about the latest issues affecting international trade. Hearing directly from experts who are shaping trade policy, transportation, customs operations and supply chain innovation gave us valuable perspectives that go beyond what we can learn from textbooks alone.
The summit also gave us an opportunity to showcase the work being done at Laredo College's Global Logistics Center. We were able to share how our programs are preparing local talent for careers in logistics, transportation and international trade while building relationships with industry partners who value a well-trained workforce. Those conversations also gave us valuable feedback on the skills employers are looking for and ideas that we can incorporate into our curriculum to better prepare our students for successful careers.
The experience strengthens our classroom instruction by providing current, real-world examples that we can bring back to our students. International trade is constantly changing, and events like this help us stay current on new regulations, emerging technologies and industry trends. By bringing those experiences into our lectures and classroom discussions, we ensure our students are learning not only the fundamentals of logistics but also the practical knowledge and industry expectations they will encounter after graduation.
Our students can also attend monthly trade meetings that bring together customs brokers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other trade professionals. This is coupled with our Logistics Lecture Series, where we invite professionals from across the logistics industry to share their experiences and career journeys to our historic Ft. McIntosh Campus.
Combined with facility tours, conferences like the Port Laredo Global Trade Summit and other industry events, these experiences help our students graduate with more than just technical knowledge. They develop professional networks, gain exposure to current industry practices and build the confidence and communication skills needed to succeed in today's logistics workforce.