2025 IEDC Annual Conference - Tariffs, Trade, Talent & Transformation: A Hands-on, Data-Driven Strategy Lab
September 16, 2025 | 3:00 PM — 4:00 PM EST

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Location
Huntington Place Convention Center, 1 Washington Blvd.
Detroit, Michigan 48226
At the 2025 IEDC Annual Conference, economic developers will explore how to navigate unprecedented challenges driven by shifting tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and evolving workforce demands. Traditional approaches to foreign direct investment, talent attraction, and business retention are no longer enough.
Featured Speaker
Christian Dallman
Partner, Fragomen
Christian Dallman brings knowledge of workforce mobility and immigration strategy, offering unique perspectives on how global talent flows intersect with trade, investment, and business transformation. His insights will help participants reframe their approaches to talent and workforce development in today’s evolving economic climate. He will also emphasize how organizations can adapt to shifting global policies, leverage immigration frameworks to strengthen talent pipelines, and align workforce mobility strategies with broader economic development goals. Christian will be sharing these perspectives during Tariffs, Trade, Talent & Transformation: A Hands-On, Data-Driven Strategy Lab on Tuesday, September 16, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in Room 330B.
This hands-on, data-driven lab—facilitated by the International Advisory Committee—invites participants to rethink strategies for today’s global trade and talent environment. The session begins with expert insights on FDI trends, workforce transformation, and business retention, followed by interactive table discussions focused on solution-oriented questions. Each table will encourage the exchange of practical ideas and peer learning, allowing participants to select the topics most relevant to their work.
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Explore more at Fragomen
Awards
Partner Cynthia Shearn is recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business in its 2026 Notable Women in Law list, honoring her leadership in immigration and global mobility and her impact within the legal community.
Media mentions
Partner Emily Allen says the new H-1B lottery is driving earlier planning and more detailed preparation.
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Senior Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom and Business Immigration Consultant II Fahimah Muhammad examine Indonesia’s newly launched Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program and its introduction of long-term and indefinite permanent residence pathways for members of the Indonesian diaspora.
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Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill notes that tighter UK visa compliance rules and new rating measures create additional challenges for universities.
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The Montreal office has added Partner Julie Lessard and Counsel Elsa Agostinho and Sophia Khanzadian to strengthen its immigration services.
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Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.
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Manager Dr Adela Schmidt and Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler analyse the European Commission’s infringement proceedings against Germany concerning its Vander Elst visa requirements for third-country nationals providing short-term cross-border services and explain why current compliance obligations remain unchanged.
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Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria, Senior Associates Sarah Blackmore and Sonya Cole and Senior Regional Knowledge Manager Laura Weingort examine renewed energy interest in Venezuela and outline key immigration pathways, procedural constraints and strategic considerations for compliant talent deployment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Andreia Ghimis highlights how the EU’s new migration strategy could create opportunities for employers while increasing compliance requirements.
Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised in the Spears 500 guide to leading private client advisers, reflecting her experience advising high-net-worth individuals, families and global businesses on complex UK and European immigration and mobility strategies.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses increased scrutiny of Saudi business visas in AGBI, highlighting stricter review of short-term entry used for operational work and the implications for regional employers.
Awards
Partner Cynthia Shearn is recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business in its 2026 Notable Women in Law list, honoring her leadership in immigration and global mobility and her impact within the legal community.
Media mentions
Partner Emily Allen says the new H-1B lottery is driving earlier planning and more detailed preparation.
Blog post
Senior Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom and Business Immigration Consultant II Fahimah Muhammad examine Indonesia’s newly launched Global Citizenship of Indonesia (GCI) program and its introduction of long-term and indefinite permanent residence pathways for members of the Indonesian diaspora.
Media mentions
Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill notes that tighter UK visa compliance rules and new rating measures create additional challenges for universities.
Video
Partner Diana Quintas outlines key early career visa pathways and practical considerations for employers and graduates navigating entry-level immigration options.
Fragomen news
The Montreal office has added Partner Julie Lessard and Counsel Elsa Agostinho and Sophia Khanzadian to strengthen its immigration services.
Blog post
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.
Blog post
Manager Dr Adela Schmidt and Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler analyse the European Commission’s infringement proceedings against Germany concerning its Vander Elst visa requirements for third-country nationals providing short-term cross-border services and explain why current compliance obligations remain unchanged.
Blog post
Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria, Senior Associates Sarah Blackmore and Sonya Cole and Senior Regional Knowledge Manager Laura Weingort examine renewed energy interest in Venezuela and outline key immigration pathways, procedural constraints and strategic considerations for compliant talent deployment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Andreia Ghimis highlights how the EU’s new migration strategy could create opportunities for employers while increasing compliance requirements.
Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised in the Spears 500 guide to leading private client advisers, reflecting her experience advising high-net-worth individuals, families and global businesses on complex UK and European immigration and mobility strategies.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses increased scrutiny of Saudi business visas in AGBI, highlighting stricter review of short-term entry used for operational work and the implications for regional employers.

![Porthole headshot image of Fragomen [Troy][Partner][ChristianDallman]](https://www.fragomen.com/a/web/c3s3rGSGtyfCRryb5y5cXw/39RPyv/christian_dallman_porthole.jpg)