Monday, January 22

6:00 am – 5:00 pm 6:00 am Registration & Guest Services Open
6:30 – 8:00 am 6:30 am Networking Breakfast
8:00 am – 12:10 pm 8:00 am
Academy Workshop: Transportation Contract Law, Part I
“The Contract’s 3-Part Process & Types of Contracts & Their Provisions”
Improve your preparation, execution and management of transportation-related contracts with this one-day conference version of our popular Academy seminar led by Rob Moseley, head of the transportation industry group at Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP.
8:00 – 9:05 am 8:00 am Keynote: Terry Jones, founder of Travelocity.com
9:05 – 9:15 am 9:05 am Conference Chair Presentation
9:15 – 9:30 am 9:15 am Networking Break
9:30 – 10:20 am 9:30 am
A Year of Disruptors: C-Level Executives Analyze Challenges, Prospects
Shifting regulations in Washington, changing consumer demands and stresses on the bottom line are always top of mind for domestic transportation executives. Added to all the usual challenges, 2018 looks to be a year of increased technological disruptors. In this session, the biggest names in the supply chain will analyze the challenges, trends and prospects likely to arise in 2018.
9:30 am – Noon 9:30 am Spouse Event: PaintFest
10:20 – 11:00 am 10:20 am
Trends in Reverse Logistics
Reverse logistics, which is more complex than the more predictable task of outbound shipping, has become a more critical component of supply chain management. It has a measurable impact on cost, sustainability, branding and the customer experience. A panel of esteemed reverse logistics management experts will discuss this crucial process that is helping manufacturers and retailers reduce waste and improve profits.
11:00 – 11:15 am 11:00 am Networking Break
11:15 – 11:55 am 11:15 am
Supply Chain Collaboration @ Work
Innovative collaboration is the bedrock on which the greatest relationships between shippers and service providers are built. Such involved partnerships allow stakeholders to rapidly respond to changing market conditions and customer needs. This interactive conversation with this year’s Alliance Award winners will take a deep dive into their game-changing strategies.
11:55 am – 12:10 pm 11:55 am
The 6th Annual Alliance Awards
Now in its sixth year, the Alliance Award, co-hosted by SMC³ and Logistics Management, recognizes excellence in supply chain performance. The Alliance Award identifies shippers and service providers that collaborate to overcome critical supply chain challenges. Winners craft unique solutions to extraordinary issues. Come help recognize the recipients of the 2017 Alliance Award.
12:10 – 1:10 pm 12:10 pm Networking Lunch
1:10 – 3:30 pm 1:10 pm
Academy Workshop: Transportation Contract Law, Part II
“Damages & Claims: Real-World Case Studies”
Examine benchmark cases on motor carrier contract provisions and evaluate how the courts apply the law to today’s transportation contracts. Workshop participants may submit contracts and/or problem clauses for a “blind” review by our subject matter expert! Look for submission instructions in your workshop confirmation email.
1:10 – 1:50 pm 1:10 pm
Global Economic Outlook
Dr. Don never disappoints, peppering his incisive economic analysis with casual anecdotes and wrapping it all in an engaging, off-the-cuff presentation style. Ratajczak, one of the most-respected economic forecasters of our time, will share his insights on critical issues and trends directly impacting trade and transportation. Ratajczak takes attendees around the globe in 45 minutes.
1:50 – 2:35 pm 1:50 pm
US Financial Update
According to the election results, citizens all over the country have been clamoring for a change. After almost a year with a new administration in Washington, R.W. Baird’s Ben Hartford will give conference attendees a complete picture of the domestic economy and identify emerging trends. Come hear Hartford put the U.S. financial outlook for 2018 into perspective.
2:35 – 2:50 pm 2:35 pm Networking Break
2:50 – 3:30 pm 2:50 pm
Ask the Experts
Ben Hartford and Dr. Don Ratajczak will reserve time to engage with the Jump Start crowd. Attendees should bring their burning economic questions, preparing for the unvarnished truth. This is an opportunity to learn how the economic climate impacts logistics planning and investment.
3:30 – 7:30 pm 3:30 pm RISE UP! Jump Start Networking Event

Tuesday, January 23

6:00 am – 5:00 pm 6:00 am Registration & Guest Services Open
6:30 – 8:00 am 6:30 am Networking Breakfast
8:00 – 9:05 am 8:00 am
A Brave New World: How to succeed in a world of drones, driverless trucks, 3D printing and other emerging technologies
Emerging technologies, competitors, and business models have the potential to redefine a new normal in supply chain and logistics processes. The invention of the shipping container almost 60 years ago, for example, completely transformed global trade and transportation. And the invention of the Universal Product Code (UPC) in the early 1970s is what makes inventory management and so many other processes possible today. How will today’s emerging technologies – such as drones, driverless trucks, 3D printing, Internet of Things, and blockchain – transform manufacturing, distribution, and transportation processes? Will Amazon, Uber, and other competitors rewrite the rules for success? What capabilities and metrics will define optimum performance in this new environment? What actions can companies take today to prepare? Will reality live up to the hype?

Adrian Gonzalez will address those questions and more in this thought-provoking and engaging presentation to help you understand the potential impact of emerging technologies on supply chain processes and how to prepare effectively.
9:05 – 9:45 am 9:05 am
LTL Meets Real-time Visibility
No longer content with hours-old shipment visibility, customers across the supply chain now demand real-time shipment data this is reliable, complete and available anytime. Recent advancements have led to integrated enhancements that support customer-carrier connectivity, enabling real-time tracking and shipping visibility through TMS software. At Jump Start, an esteemed panel will discuss why industry-wide cooperation is needed for complete visibility and what transportation stakeholders must do to make the customer journey as seamless as possible.
9:00 am – 2:30 pm 9:00 am Spouse Event: Georgia Aquarium Tour
9:45 – 10:00 am 9:45 am Networking Break
10:00 am – 11:00 am 10:00 am
A Survivalist’s Guide to Cyber Attacks
The benefits of enhanced connectivity and a technologically robust supply chain carry inherent risks. While cyber attacks are not a cost of doing business in the new transportation arena, technological theft is a very real concern. While exploring several case studies, this value-packed session provides insight from leading cyber security experts on how shore up cyber defenses and make sure companies are prepared for any lurking threats.
11:00 am – Noon 11:00 am
The Localization Strategy – Don’t Call it a Comeback
The decades long expanding trend of globalization that constructed the world economy is beginning to reverse itself. From Brexit to Beijing, shows a trading world experiencing fundamental, long term change. China is helping drive the trend with its push to produce more goods for domestic consumption. General Electric Corp. is among many looking at a “localization strategy”, which would result in more factories that serve local demand rather than the export markets that have fueled global shipping. Join our supply chain experts as we explore this new development and what it could mean to U.S. and global supply chains.
Noon – 1:00 pm Noon Networking Lunch
TECHNOLOGY BREAKOUTS
1:00 – 1:45 pm 1:00 pm
Designing the Modern Supply Chain
Today’s logistics arena is a dynamic industry where new demands and unique situations crop up in even the most simple projects. Volatility and change is the new norm for global businesses. These complex problems, and the huge amount of data generated by today’s shipments, can no longer be managed by spreadsheets. At this session, attendees will learn four components needed for sustained excellence in supply chain design, informative case studies and more useful tips to upgrade outmoded logistics processes.
Technologies to Boost Fuel Efficiency
Increasing fuel efficiency and boosting fuel economy is always on the minds of savvy carriers looking to improve their bottom lines. This panel will explore current and emerging technologies driving tractor advancements and trailer add-ons to cut costs, improve service and increase fuel efficiency.
Better Business Decisions through Business Intelligence
During this panel, attendees will discover how organizations throughout the supply chain are using intelligence for more agile decision-making, predictive analytics, improved efficiencies and a greater customer experience.
Track It: New Advancements in GPS
Advancements in GPS technology and ancillary sensing systems allows for the effective tracking of cargo throughout the shipping process. Use of these systems can reduce theft and losses as well as increase logistical efficiency. This session will review the latest technology innovations and how integration of new solutions can increase profitability and security.
LEGAL & REGULATORY BREAKOUT
1:00 – 1:45 pm 1:00 pm
Customized Application Technology Licensing
Developing the appropriate licensing terms and conditions for customized application technology can be difficult. Understanding the fine line of where various levels of ownership lies is crucial. Through this interactive discussion, attendees will learn from Eleos Technologies and the legal experts at Smith Moore Leatherwood about how this process should work and how to make sure licensing rights are managed correctly and carefully protected.
TRUCK & RAIL BREAKOUT
1:00 – 1:45 pm 1:00 pm
The Future of LTL Classification
For shippers, determining the freight class of each shipment is a vital step to effectively managing LTL freight, as the NMFTA’s classifications are one of the biggest factors in determining the true cost of moving freight. During this panel, an expert from the NMFTA Commodities Classification Standards Board will lead a discussion on the future of LTL classification, density rating and other pricing issues.
1:45 – 1:55 pm 1:45 pm Networking Break
TECHNOLOGY BREAKOUTS
1:55 – 2:40 pm 1:55 pm
Tracking TMS Trends
In 10 years, will the majority of the industry still be using today’ supply chain applications? How will the TMS of tomorrow function? These questions concern Carrier Logistics Vice President Ben Wiesen, and he’ll help attendees analyze the technological trends and truly examine what advancements will lead to the supply chain of the future.
The Customer View
Customer-centric organizations live and die on innovative, 360° views of their customers. While multiple existing tools can effectively capture valuable consumer insights, it is a struggle to integrate those solutions; without seamless integration, organizations are left with blind spots in their vision. These panelists will take stock of how business can fill the gaps in their customer views.
Dock Automation: Pitfalls and Rewards
This session will explore what's possible with dock automation, including lessons learned, what to avoid, and where the investment pays off. Panelists will also look ahead to consider the future of dock-focused technologies.
Data Driven Price Optimization
Data driven price optimization provides carriers with the capability to set list or target prices that achieve higher revenue and margin. An expert will outline how carriers can discern, measure and leverage customer value through price segmentation and outline how to achieve price guidance during the bidding process.
TRUCK & RAIL BREAKOUT
1:55 – 2:40 pm 1:55 pm
Bending the Line between LTL & Truckload
With the prevalence of e-commerce shipments, some LTL customers are finding themselves in a lane typically reserved for truckload carriers. Customers who usually stick to one mode over the other are now confronting new challenges and issues. Sort it all out, and identify the over-the-road commonalities, with a group of experts on this engaging panel.
2:40 – 2:50 pm 2:40 pm Networking Break
TECHNOLOGY BREAKOUTS
2:50 – 3:35 pm 2:50 pm
Reputation Management: Before, during and after the Cyber Attack
A company’s brand is quite likely one of the greatest threats an organization faces from a cyber attack. The damage brought by such an assault can be devastating. Panelists at this session will talk through strategies and best practices for protecting brand reputation prior to, during and after a cyber attack.
Density is Critical to Cost Analysis
The less-than-truckload industry is embracing dimensioning technology to enable more accurate freight pricing and automate what used to be manual tasks. Dimensioners and other cube-measurement devices have caused significant changes in motor carrier freight cost analyses. These changes and the impact of this information will be reviewed in this session.
2:50 – 3:50 pm
Blockchain’s role in the modern supply chain
Today’s blockchain market, which is expected to reach $2 billion by 2021, is centered in the financial market, but some of the largest trucking organizations are considering near-term blockchain implementation. At Jump Start, Tim Leonard, TMW Systems’ chief information officer, will uncover blockchain’s transportation applications. Session attendees can anticipate a live demonstration of current blockchain solutions.
Best Practices: Choosing a Technology Platform
In this interactive session Moen, the top faucet brand in North America, and enVista will discuss how to analyze and choose a technology platform. Moen conducted a rigorous, year-long search for a TMS provider, and a representative will outline the challenges and lessons learned along the way. Moen’s journey can help other organizations identify the right technology to transform their transportation and supply chain strategies.
LEGAL & REGULATORY BREAKOUT
2:50 – 3:50 pm 2:50 pm
Making Weight – Selecting the Right Partner for Heavy Lifting
Most businesses face this inevitability: The company is growing, and the need for a new investor has become apparent. Businesses leaders shopping for a new partner can’t get caught up in all the excitement; hard questions need to be asked. Legal experts from Arnall Golden Gregory weigh in on the most important issues to address before the final signatures.
TRUCK & RAIL BREAKOUT
2:50 – 3:35 pm 2:50 pm
Creating Efficiencies from ELD Data
The electronic logging devices mandate for carriers can seem like another onerous regulation, but with a little creative thinking, carriers can use this burden to their benefit. A high-quality ELD can capture a great deal of valuable information. During this session, experts will talk about how to use this regulatory hurdle to reduce costs, improve safety and identify opportunities to improve efficiencies.
3:35 – 3:45 pm 3:35 pm Networking Break
3:45 – 5:45 pm 3:45 pm Ignite Speed Meetings
6:30 – 7:00 pm 6:30 pm Networking Reception
7:00 – 10:00 pm 7:00 pm Dinner and Entertainment

Wednesday, January 24

6:00 – Noon 6:00 am Registration & Guest Services Open
6:30 – 8:00 am 6:30 am Networking Breakfast
8:00 – 9:05 am 8:00 am
Transportation in the New Presidential Era
In this forward-looking session, an expert in the U.S. regulatory environment and government relations, will first gaze back at the last year to see what lies ahead for transportation in the Trump era. With year one of President Trump’s administration in the books, what impact has the Trump era had on transportation policies and infrastructure improvement? Equally important, what’s been the impact on the carrier’s cost to do business? How will possible changes to cross-border movement impact your organization? How should you prepare? Join U.S. regulatory and governmental relations experts to discuss the year of change.
9:00 – 9:55 am 9:00 am
How intelligent is your freight billing?
A freight bill can be complicated to manage. Intelligent data capture technology, like artificial intelligence (AI), abandons the traditional rules-based approach to billing with an unstructured, context recognition program that gets smarter with every BOL it processes. In fact, AI can help extract data with 80-90% accuracy. Join our experts as we explore AI technology in the arena of freight billing.
9:00 – 11:00 am 9:00 am Spouse Event: Rise & Shine with SMC³
9:55 – 10:10 am 9:55 am Networking Break
10:10 – 11:05 am 10:10 am
Leveraging Knowledge and Cloud Applications for the Last Mile
As ecommerce becomes a bigger part of everyday life, LTL carriers are experiencing an increasing level of smaller shipments destined to residential and difficult delivery destinations. This session addresses growing operational constraints, as well as technological options to relieve these constraints and generate improved performance and profitability in last mile markets. We’ll also discuss the best practices for selecting and interacting with last mile partners, as well as leveraging their knowledge and cloud applications to better serve new market demands.
11:05 – 11:15 am 11:05 am Grand Prize Drawing

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