Department of Homeland Security to Speak on New Import Security Filing Requirements at VCF/TPMA Import Guidelines & Best Practices Workshop

VCF and TPMA ( www.vcfww.com ), the leading organizations fostering retail-supplier trading synchronization, announced today that John Jurgutis, Chief Program Manager with the Department of Homeland Security, will speak at the organizations' first Import Guidelines and Best Practices Workshop, to be held during the VCF/TPMA Annual Conference November 9-12th, 2008. Concurrent with the Workshop and Annual Conference, VCF will launch the retail industry's first Import Guidelines and Best Practices Community. Founding members, who will comprise the Community's Leadership Panel, include such leading retailers as JCPenney, Burlington Coat Factory and others. Sandra Fallgatter, Manager of Private Brand Compliance at JCPenney, will begin the community organizational meeting by discussing customs compliance issues for retailers in today's environment, including US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) programs and requirements, such as ISA, CTPAT and Product Safety and "10 2."

New Security Filing Requirements Imminent: Business Preparedness will be Essential

Both the Department of Homeland Security's Workshop address and the VCF Import Community of Practice will address the impending reporting mandate of DHS ISF-10, also known as "10 2." The new rules will present carriers, agents, and importers with additional requirements in data collection, linking and reporting -- all within a shortened timeframe than required currently.

"Our members and supporters must focus on the implications of 10 2 for their businesses," said Diane Berry, CEO of VCF and TPMA. "Importers will need to comply with the government's technical process requirements, in addition to data mandates. Businesses need to assess the gaps in their current process that make them vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and fines."

John Jurgutis, who manages the Department of Homeland Security's Secure Freight Initiative (SFI) with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will be accompanied by Stephen Silvestri, Program Manager, SFI, CBP to discuss the provisions and implementation of the proposed "10 2" rule.

The VCF/TPMA Annual Conference draws over 400 professionals for collaborative sessions designed to help retailers, suppliers and manufacturers protect revenue streams while driving costs out of their supply chains. VCF Founder Kim Zablocky notes, "Particularly in our current, volatile economic environment, suppliers and retailers need to work together to better their businesses. We at VCF are gratified to see the tremendous response from retailers and manufacturers joining as members, and attending and speaking at our Annual Conference."

About VCF

VCF is the leading organization focused on solutions, services and best practices for supplier-retailer collaboration within consumer durables, ranging from fashion and cosmetics to electronics and home furnishings. VCF is an advocate for retailer-supplier trading synchronization and champions initiatives to increase strategic industry-wide productivity, profitability and growth. VCF serves a multitude of touch points in perfecting retailer-supplier execution to shorten cycle times and drive overall velocity in the supply chain. VCF draws participation from leading retailers and suppliers such as JCPenney, Nordstrom, Lowe's, Liz Claiborne, Estée Lauder and Kellwood.

About TPMA

TPMA is the leading organization driving best-in-class process for global trade promotion management (TPM) and trade promotion optimization (TPO). TPMA is dedicated to the effective and efficient use of trade promotion dollars and serves as a collaborative resource for research and metrics for companies such as Hormel, Dial, Del Monte, Cargill Meat Solutions, Hewlett-Packard, Nintendo, Land O'Lakes, and Johnson & Johnson.

Editors Please Note:

Press passes are available for both the conference and Import Workshop. Contact Anna Lee for more information at alee@vcfww.com or 646-442-3707.

More information about the Import Workshop and the Annual Conference may be found at www.vcfww.com or by emailing events@vcfww.com .

Contact: Anna Lee Manager, Marketing & Alliance Development Vendor Compliance Federation 1055 Parsippany Boulevard, Ste 405 Parsippany, NJ 07054 Phone: 646-442-3707 alee@vcfww.com www.vcfww.com