Loss Prevention Conference Fall Meeting Continues
its Mission to Minimize Freight Loss and Damage

Peachtree City, GA - October 30, 2003 - The Loss Prevention Conference (LPC) recently held its 2003 Fall Meeting on October 19-21 at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The Fall Meeting, entitled, “Putting the Brakes on Freight Loss and Damage,” presented topics that were carefully selected and coordinated to produce over 13 hours of educational presentations, discussions and networking opportunities with the nation's leading claims professionals.

“The Fall Meeting presented attendees with a well-rounded look at freight classification, government regulations, customs issues, claims liability, inspections and more,” said A. R. “Sonny” Yandle, III, LPC President and director of claim prevention for Saia Motor Freight. “If you’re a claims professional, you missed a lot if you missed this meeting.”

The LPC Fall Meeting contained three, 90-minute educational modules. The first module detailed the classification process, including class structure, density classifications, actual and release value rates, packaging and freight claim rules, National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) restrictions and the precedence of carrier-established exceptions to the NMFC.

Module two covered bill of lading terms and conditions; the purpose, use and application of the Carmack Amendment; and the impact of Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act (ICCTA) on the transportation industry. The third educational module explored alternative resolutions for disputed claims and the use of arbitration and mediation.

The LPC Fall Meeting also included a discussion on government agencies with regulatory jurisdiction over the movement of goods within the United States, and a discussion of inspection processes for today’s marketplace. A “Temporary Imports” session focused on the legal, procedural and documentary aspects of moving goods in-bond through U.S. ports of entry. As always, the Fall Meeting included LPC favorites such as panel discussions on best business practices and the popular Claims Liability Workshop on the application of court cases and rules to resolve freight loss and/or damage claims.

Guest speakers for the meeting included James Attridge, Attorney, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light & Hanson, P.C.; Christopher Bailey, Attorney, DeOrchis, Hillenbrand and Weiner, LLP; Brian Johnson, Director of Claims, Estes Express; William Mascaro, Senior Classification Specialist, National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA); Kay Noll, Manager of Loss Prevention, Southeastern Freight Lines; and LPC President Sonny Yandle, among others.

Transportation professionals throughout North America attend LPC’s meetings, which are held twice annually. For more than 50 years LPC has provided freight loss and damage training sessions designed for shippers, carriers and the general public. LPC's meetings and seminars teach best business practices for preventing freight loss and damage; applicable statutes, case law and regulations affecting freight loss and damage; and the lawful settlement of freight claims.

The Loss Prevention Conference is sponsored by SMC³, the leading provider of Technology Tools for Transportation®. For more information on LPC or the LPC annual meetings, visit www.lpclink.com or contact John Rader at 770-486-5869.

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About LPC
Southern Motor Carriers (SMC³) founded the Loss Prevention Conference (LPC) in 1944 as the SMCRC freight claim conference. Through six decades of service, LPC's role has evolved along with the needs of its members and the transportation industry. LPC offers the educational forum, training and tools freight claims professionals need to achieve their personal goals and to strengthen their organization.

About SMC³
Founded in 1935, SMC³ is the leading nationwide provider of Technology Tools for Transportation®. SMC³ enables its customers to achieve greater success in the marketplace by supplying advanced technology tools, superior data management services and smart processes that ensure the accurate and timely availability of pricing information throughout the transportation community.

SMC³ presently serves more than 5,000 customers throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The company is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, and has a satellite office in Louisville, Kentucky.