The American Conference Institute (ACI) will host its 20th Annual Flagship Conference on Economic Sanctions Enforcement & Compliance from April 29-30, 2026, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. This event celebrates ACI's two decades of dedication to sanctions, export controls, and compliance, amidst today’s complex global risk context.
Since its launch, the conference has responded to evolving sanctions landscapes, reliably gathering government officials, compliance pioneers, financial institutions, multinational companies, and legal professionals. This 20th edition continues that tradition with a programme addressing enforcement trends, sanctions evasion, the impact of geopolitical shifts, emerging technologies, crypto assets, export controls, and the practicalities of effective compliance programmes in real time.
Future of sanctions enforcement and compliance
Co-chairing the 2026 conference are esteemed sanctions experts Rachel Alpert, Partner at Jenner & Block LLP and a former Chief Counsel at OFAC; Claire McCleskey, Co-Founder of Clarity Compliance Consulting and ex-Head of OFAC Compliance at the Office of Terrorism & Financial Intelligence; and Clay Stevenson, Head of Sanctions at Santander US.
These pioneers will facilitate strategic insights, practical guidance, and discussions on the future of sanctions enforcement and compliance.
Extensive networking opportunities
The event also includes pre-conference workshops, interactive discussions, and comprehensive networking
The event also includes pre-conference workshops, interactive discussions, and comprehensive networking opportunities, underscoring ACI’s role in promoting professional connections across various sectors.
Past participants have highlighted the conference’s in-depth, relevant content and sense of community: “ACI’s conference delivers top content on today’s trade challenges, featuring government officials shaping policy and enforcement. With expert panels, small-group discussions, and networking, it’s the perfect opportunity to benchmark and connect,” said Jen Maki, Senior Director, Global Trade, Xylem.
ACI’s Flagship Sanctions Conference
Crystal Noe, Head of Global Sanctions & Onchain Product Compliance at Kraken Digital Asset Exchange, emphasised the conference’s significance: “With global instability, it’s never been more important to connect with industry experts and regulators. ACI’s conference provides invaluable insights, candid discussions, and a strong community of professionals facing the same challenges.”
Entering its third decade, ACI’s Flagship Sanctions Conference stands as a principal annual gathering for professionals tasked with understanding, implementing, and shaping sanctions compliance globally. This milestone 20th edition allows attendees to reflect on the field’s evolution and prepare for future developments.
The American Conference Institute (ACI) is proud to announce the 20th Annual Flagship Conference on Economic Sanctions Enforcement & Compliance, taking place April 29–30, 2026, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
Marking two decades of continuous leadership, this milestone event reflects ACI’s long-standing role as the premier forum for sanctions, export controls, and compliance professionals navigating an increasingly complex global risk environment
Effective compliance programs
Since its inception, the conference has evolved alongside the sanctions landscape, serving as a trusted convening ground for government officials, in-house compliance pioneers, financial institutions, multinational companies, and legal experts.
The 20th anniversary program builds on this legacy with a forward-looking agenda focused on enforcement trends, sanctions evasion, geopolitical fragmentation, emerging technologies, crypto and digital assets, export controls, and the practical realities of running effective compliance programs in real time.
Future of sanctions enforcement and compliance
The 2026 conference will be co-chaired by three highly respected sanctions pioneers with deep government and industry experience: Rachel Alpert, Partner at Jenner & Block LLP and former Chief Counsel at OFAC; Claire McCleskey, Co-Founder of Clarity Compliance Consulting and former Head of OFAC Compliance at the Office of Terrorism & Financial Intelligence; and Clay Stevenson, Head of Sanctions at Santander US.
Together, they will guide a program designed to deliver strategic insight, practical guidance, and candid discussion on the future of sanctions enforcement and compliance.
Extensive networking opportunities
In addition to the main conference, the event will feature pre-conference workshops, interactive discussions, and extensive networking opportunities, continuing ACI’s tradition of fostering meaningful dialogue and professional connections across sectors and jurisdictions.
Past attendees consistently point to the conference’s depth, relevance, and community as key drivers of its success: “ACI’s conference delivers top content on today’s trade challenges, featuring government officials shaping policy and enforcement. With expert panels, small-group discussions, and networking, it’s the perfect opportunity to benchmark and connect,” Jen Maki, Senior Director, Global Trade, Xylem.
ACI’s Flagship Sanctions Conference
“With global instability, it’s never been more important to connect with industry experts and regulators. ACI’s conference provides invaluable insights, candid discussions, and a strong community of professionals facing the same challenges,” Crystal Noe, Head of Global Sanctions & Onchain Product Compliance, Kraken Digital Asset Exchange.
As it enters its third decade, ACI’s Flagship Sanctions Conference remains the definitive annual gathering for those responsible for understanding, implementing, and shaping sanctions compliance worldwide. The 20th anniversary edition offers a unique opportunity to reflect on how far the field has come and to prepare for what lies ahead. Use promo code D10-999-SS26 at registration to save an additional 10%!
