The 2025 Food Shippers of America Annual Conference will take place March 2-5, 2025 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, CA.
1:30 - 2:30 PM
Gender diversity continues to be an important business strategy for many companies in the food transportation, logistics and supply chain industry. In fact, many studies associate a direct link between diversity of talent, thought, and experiences to the ability for a company to deliver optimum value and results. Join Jennifer Hedrick, President & CEO of Women In Trucking (WIT) and Brian Everett, Publisher of Redefining the Road (WIT's official magazine) and strategic advisor, to learn about the growing presence and importance of women in the trucking industry. Hear about how WIT came to be, what the association is doing to improve diversity in the industry, and what you can do to strengthen gender diversity through strategic initiatives in your own organization.
2:45 - 3:45 PM
In the aftermath of the Covid 19 pandemic's various crunches, supply chains are becoming more integrated into business strategies. The C-suite now understands the value of holistic supply chains rather than treating them as a series of cost centers to attack for savings. This session will address the key supply chain and logistics indicators expected to impact the economy and shipper costs along with a forecast and risk assessment to help craft a better supply chain strategy.
Check out the 2024 Sessions below.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Gender diversity continues to be an important business strategy for many companies in the food transportation, logistics and supply chain industry. In fact, many studies associate a direct link between diversity of talent, thought, and experiences to the ability for a company to deliver optimum value and results. Join Jennifer Hedrick, President & CEO of Women In Trucking (WIT) and Brian Everett, Publisher of Redefining the Road (WIT’s official magazine) and strategic advisor, to learn about the growing presence and importance of women in the trucking industry. Hear about how WIT came to be, what the association is doing to improve diversity in the industry, and what you can do to strengthen gender diversity through strategic initiatives in your own organization.
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
In the aftermath of the Covid 19 pandemic’s various crunches, supply chains are becoming more integrated into business strategies. The C-suite now understands the value of holistic supply chains rather than treating them as a series of cost centers to attack for savings. This session will address the key supply chain and logistics indicators expected to impact the economy and shipper costs along with a forecast and risk assessment to help craft a better supply chain strategy.
Cal Ripken Baseball’s all-time “Iron Man” and an American icon. Raised in a baseball family his playing career spanned 21 seasons, all with his hometown Baltimore Orioles. After retiring from the game in 2001 he remained dedicated to baseball through the establishment and growth of Ripken Baseball and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. He has traveled the world celebrating the game he loves at the grassroots level and continues to work with Major League Baseball and the US State Department to keep kids from all walks of life engaged with the sport of baseball and use the game to spread good will.”
Join us as Dr. Stephanie Thomas, Associate Professor, Department of Supply Chain Management, University of Arkansas solicits candid feedback and observations from recent college graduates who are now working in the supply chain departments of food industry companies. Gain insights into what these students find attractive about working in the supply chain industry and their views on ideal work environments.
Joshua Evans is on a mission to fundamentally change the way people view their work by bringing deeper purpose into the workplace. The modern workplace has increased levels of uncertainty leading to individuals becoming burned out, disengaged, unfulfilled, and unhappy. Joshua is destroying toxic workplace preconceptions and pursuing a future of work where individuals derive deeper meaning and purpose in the work they do.
Join Dr. Chris Caplice, Senior Research Scientist MIT and DAT, and Food Shipper member company supply chain executives as they talk about today’s challenges and discuss the future of the food industry’s logistics and supply chains.
Professor Goldberg will present recent advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, and networking and the potential dangers they raise in terms of security and privacy. Goldberg will illustrate these issues in the context of how today’s supply chain will be impacted by advances in audio, video/face recognition, and data surveillance.
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
From workforce shortages to infrastructure challenges and environmental mandates, the issues that impact the trucking industry ultimately affect the entire supply chain. American Transportation Research Institute President Rebecca Brewster will share ATRI’s findings on how the industry ranks these concerns and more importantly, what the trucking industry is doing to address each.
Just like in aviation, in a rapidly changing global environment, speed is life. Collaboration is critical to business success and managing successful strategic partnerships is crucial. Competitive advantage is gained when your organization can optimize partnerships and strategic alliances. Deeper relationships with partners can be the key to long term success and growth. In this inspiring and engaging program, Carey shares what it takes to be on the leading edge.
Bob Costello, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the American Trucking Associations returns to present current economic data and its effects throughout the Supply Chain. This session is too important to miss and you will be able to bring valuable information back to your teams and executive leadership teams.
The 2025 Food Shippers of America Annual Conference will take place March 2-5, 2025 at the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, CA.
