Come together, right now
IT MIGHT NOT BE AS PROFOUND AS THE LION AND THE LAMB LYING
down together, but retailers and manufacturers in the food industry will have a
chance to sit down together at the Fourth Annual Supply Chain Conference
sponsored by the Food Marketing Institute and the Grocery Manufacturers
Association. There, they can reach across the natural buyer-seller divide and
focus on how they can collaborate to improve supply chain efficiency.
At the conference, which takes place Feb. 4 through 6 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.,
presenters will discuss real-world strategies for addressing the latest supply chain
issues. Topics include improving scheduling through data sharing, using shopper
trend data to drive inventory levels, and a regulatory update on food traceability.
Speakers include executives from PepsiCo, Publix Super Markets, Ahold USA,
ConAgra Foods, and Wegmans Food Markets. For more information, visit
www.gmaonline.org. ;
Feb. 11–14
The ARC World Industry Forum in Orlando,
Fla., will focus on innovative processes and
technologies such as cloud computing,
mobile devices, and energy optimization
solutions. ( www.arcweb.com/events)
Feb. 17–20
The Retail Industry Leaders Association
(RILA) will look at how to achieve the
goal of “seamless integration” at its
annual Retail Supply Chain Conference
in Orlando, Fla. ( www.rila.org)
Most companies view returns as a headache and a cost center. Zappos.com, however,
loves them. The Internet-based retailer, which is well known for its customer-friendly
returns policies, says that the customers who return the most also spend the most and
are its most profitable customers.
Zappos.com’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer, Chris Nielson, will talk
more about the topic during his keynote address at the Reverse Logistics Association
Conference and Expo, which will be held Feb. 11–13 in Las Vegas. Nielson won’t be
the only executive from a big-name company speaking at the event, however.
Representatives from leading companies like Philips, Motorola, Dell, Target, and
Canadian Tire will also be on hand to address such topics as how the secondary market shapes the global economy, best practices for reverse logistics in an omnichannel
environment, and unsaleables.
The conference includes an exhibit hall, where third-party service providers will showcase their products and services. For more information, visit http://rltshows.com. ;
How I learned to love returns
March 26–29
How can professionals involved in
defense logistics balance affordability
and risk in a resource-constrained envi-
ronment? Find out at the National
Defense Industrial Association’s Logistics
Conference and Exhibition in Miami.
( www.ndia.org)
April 3–5
Supply Chain and Transportation
one2one in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., is
organized to allow senior-level supply
chain decision makers to attend pre-selected meetings with solution
providers. ( www.one2onesummits.com/
Supply-Chain-Transportation/)
The International Warehouse Logistics Association’s (IWLA) Convention and Expo in
Orlando, Fla., will focus on helping third-party logistics companies (3PLs) find fresh ways
to grow new business, maximize the return from existing business, and minimize
expenses. Scheduled for March 10 through 12, the conference is organized around the
overall theme of assisting attendees in developing the best growth strategy for their
particular operation.
The agenda includes presentations by industry experts, knowledge-sharing sessions
with peers, and an exposition of leading 3PL product and service suppliers. There is also
a popular charity golf tournament.
Founded 120 years ago, IWLA itself has grown over the years to encompass 550,000
warehouse employees, 2,200 independent warehouses, and 500 logistics companies.
For more information, visit www.iwla.com. ;
Grow your own way
April 28–May 1
Get the latest information on goods-to-
person distribution, workplace violence
and security, and more at the
Warehousing Education and Research
Council’s 2013 WERC Conference in
Dallas. ( www.werc.org)
May 21–23
Gartner’s Supply Chain Executive
Conference in Phoenix will cover such
hot topics as integrated business planning, inventory optimization, risk management, and talent management.
( www.gartner.com/technology/summits/
na/supply-chain/)
