Contact: Stacy K. Nelson
Marketing Communications
SMC³
770.486.5853 phone
770.486.0928 fax snelson@smc3.com
SMC³ Announces 47th Annual Winter Meeting
"Back to the Future: the Economy, NAFTA and the Internet"
November 20, 2002 - Peachtree City, Georgia - SMC³, the leading provider of technology tools for transportation, announced today that the company is holding its 47th Annual Winter Meeting, January 28-29, 2002 at the Sheraton Gateway in Atlanta, Georgia. The industry-oriented meeting will focus on the top three critical issues facing the future of the transportation industry: the economy and its effect on our industry, NAFTA's underlying issues and re-connecting the Internet.
The forum agenda, designed for executive/corporate management, information technology staff/management and other technical professionals in the transportation industry, features a wide variety of industry experts and topics. Included are:
Dr. Donald Ratajczak, hailed the nation's "top economic guru," providing his predictions on the global, national and regional economy for 2002. Ratajczak will review key economic indicators, their meaning and importance, along with trends in the economy.
John R. Bagileo, Principal at the D.C. based Law Firm of John R. Bagileo, analyzing and interpreting the latest legislative actions and laws that directly affect the transportation industry. In addition, he will provide an update on the rulemaking proceedings of the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
Satish Jindel, Principal at the Pittsburgh based SJ Consulting Group, discussing the bearing of the economy on different modes of transportation throughout North America. His presentation will analyze how economic elements will impact freight movement via highway, air, ocean and rail.
An interactive NAFTA panel exploring core, non-political issues, including: how opening the border between the US and Mexico will effect highway safety; border clearance/congestion, competition and regulation. The panel will include: Dr. James Giermanski, Professor and Director of International Business Studies at Belmont Abbey College; Bill Kimmel, Vice President of Marketing and Revenue Accounting, Quik X Transportation; Martin Rojas, Director for Customs, Immigration and Cross-Border Operations, American Trucking Associations and more, to represent the positions of carriers, government, shippers and receivers of freight.
A comprehensive round table discussion on re-connecting the Internet, with knowledgeable and surviving dot.com professionals addressing the outlook of the Internet following the 'dot.com' bust. Topics will include how today's Internet will affect a firm's operating, information technology and marketing business plans, the value proposition of the Internet, emerging processes and e-commerce. The expert panel will consist of software developers/integrators, transportation brokers and load-matching firms.
SMC³ members and non-members are invited to attend, however space is limited. For more information and to register, please visit www.smc3.com and click in the scrolling news box or contact John Rader, Director of Industry and Educational Services, at jrader@smc3.com or 1.800.845.8090.
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About SMC³
Founded in 1935, SMC³ is a leading nationwide provider of technology tools for transportation. SMC3 helps shippers, carriers and logistics companies conduct business seamlessly through the maze of local, regional and national transportation networks.
Over the years, SMC³'s natural technology progression in product distribution has moved from print to digital, and now to the World Wide Web. To remain in the forefront of cutting-edge technology, SMC³ is now operating as an Application Service Provider (ASP). The new ASP environment offers SMC³ customers the opportunity to license, access and run SMC³'s products via its website, www.smc3.com.