SMC³ Summer Conference Unites Shippers, Carriers, 3PLs
Attendees Examine Opportunities for Collaboration, Cost Savings at Annual Conference
Atlanta, Ga. - July 1, 2008—Transportation industry association and pricing technology provider SMC³ hosted its 53rd annual Summer Conference last week in Boston. The educational and business networking event placed a timely focus on the latest trends and developments emerging in the domestic and global supply chain. Sessions there honed in on cost-saving technologies, green supply chain strategies, and the country’s growing economic and infrastructure concerns.
“Our members, customers and associates are continually modifying their transportation networks in an effort to reduce their overall cost of doing business,” commented Jack E. Middleton, SMC³ president and CEO. “While this dynamic supply chain can give them leverage, it also dictates that they stay on top of major business influencers. The educational and networking components of the SMC³ conferences enable them to do just that.”
Specialized conference sessions and subject matter experts were chosen to inspire forward thinking by exploring methods for shippers, carriers and supply chain partners to adapt and grow their businesses in an unstable business environment. Conference highlights included an in-depth discussion of the 2009 Highway Reauthorization Bill and what it means specifically to those involved in shipping freight. Speaker Kathy Ruffalo, a government affairs consultant who Congress recently appointed as a member of the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financial Committee, stressed that members of Congress are not acting quickly to resolve our infrastructure crisis because they are not feeling public urgency.
“We need to find a new way to illustrate and describe the problem so the public can get their heads around [the significance of] it,” said Ruffalo. “Business as usual is not going to work and doing nothing is not an option.”
During the conference’s Emerging Technologies panel presentation a dialogue was generated between several members of the audience and panelist Gregory Bostick of Pinnacle Foods Group, in which a consensus was reached that shippers should set aside their perceived competitive differences to pool their shipments for combined cost savings. Panel moderator Adrian Gonzalez of ARC Advisory Group observed: “Innovative ideas occur when you keep challenging the status quo.”
Shining a spotlight on the 2008 elections, the SMC³ Summer Conference played host to Larry Sabato, Ph.D., a remarkably accurate political forecaster who has authored more than 20 books and countless essays on the American political process. Sabato’s presentation examined the current state of the Bush Presidency and its influence on the November election. He outlined his thoughts on prospective running mates for Obama and McCain, and gave his input on what he believes is next for Hillary Clinton.
“If you can’t follow the players and don’t know the rules then you can’t make intelligent decisions at election time,” Sabato remarked.
SMC³’s renowned group of geopolitical update speakers detailed the most current economic trends, energy costs, political factors and legislative enactments affecting the transportation industry. Speakers included transportation attorney John R. Bagileo, principal, The Law Office of John R. Bagileo; Michael J. Economides, Ph.D., professor, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston; and economic forecaster Donald Ratajczak, Ph.D.
“I now have new topics for discussion when I return to my employer, about how well we are executing change in this challenging environment,” said attendee Matt Speier, supply chain analyst, Kerry Ingredients & Flavours.
“This conference exceeded my expectations and provided valuable information and insight,” commented attendee Jon Morgan, national account sales, Averitt Express. “We will use the information to affect internal policy and focus.”
“For me, a great opportunity to learn about the industry, global economy and meet new people,” attendee Marina Dunaway, network manager, Exel Transportation Services, said.
SMC³ offers two annual conferences – one in January and one in June – to enable better business decisions through timely and relevant information exchange. The conferences boast a diverse attendance representing every area of the transportation industry. This well-proportioned industry representation offers an ideal setting for collaboration and networking.
The SMC³ 2009 Winter Conference is scheduled to take place January 20-21 in Atlanta. For a complete review of the SMC³ 2008 Summer Conference and slide presentations, visit www.smc3.com.