October 3, 2005
Transportation, distribution, logistics summit explores opportunities for state
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana's third annual 21st Century Logistics Summit, combined this year with the 52nd annual Dr. L.L .Waters Transportation Conference, will take place on Oct. 19 in Indianapolis.
The summit, which will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the auditorium with remarks by Rich Cooper, Ports of Indiana executive director; Charles Bantz, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis chancellor; and Martin C. Jischke, Purdue University president. Lt. Gov. Rebecca Skillman will speak in the afternoon. The schedule for the summit is available online.
The one-day session, which will include about 250 leaders from industry, government, economic development and academia, is focused on building a high-growth, high-tech transportation, distribution and logistics industry, known as TDL, that creates jobs and supports other key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, information technology and the life sciences.
The theme of this year's summit is "How Can Improving Supply Chains Increase Profits?" Supply chains in the global economy can be conceived of as assembly lines that stretch all over the world.
The supply chain for an automobile manufacturer, for example, includes both getting parts from suppliers in many different countries to its plants on a just-in-time schedule, as well as delivering finished vehicles to showrooms, corporate fleets and car rental companies in the speediest fashion possible.
The summit is open to transportation professionals and the general public. There is a $200 registration fee that includes lunch. Registration information is available online or by calling (765) 494-2758.
The keynote lunch speaker from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the ballroom is Charlie Swinburn, the Rail America Inc. CEO, who will be introduced by David Goodrich, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership president and CEO. L.L. Waters, Indiana University professor emeritus, will be introduced. Adam W. Herbert, president of IU, will provide welcoming remarks.
At the summit, morning panels, made up of industry speakers, academics and government officials, will consider TDL for competitive advantage, rising oil prices' effects on business and supply chain management practices. Afternoon parallel sessions include panels on operations or the state of Indiana's TDL; and return on investments in TDL services or supply chain and site selection impact on bottom lines or Indiana business development through TDL or Indiana TDL education assets and needs.
Skillman will speak on "What Now for TDL?" at 4 p.m., followed by an address from an executive perspective. The summit will wrap up at 5 p.m. There will be a networking reception with refreshments and appetizers from 5-6:30 p.m.
"This summit will bring leaders from the private sector – from rail, trucking, air, maritime and manufacturing – together with government and university officials to begin a focused dialogue on how to leverage Indiana's supply-chain expertise to gain a competitive advantage," Cooper said.
The Ports of Indiana, which currently operates the state's three maritime ports, began planning the first summit after the Indiana General Assembly in spring 2003 expanded the agency's economic development authority. Purdue was soon identified as a partner.
"Purdue is pleased to be a host of the 21st Century Logistics Summit, seeking ways to strengthen the sector that — literally — keeps our economy moving," said John A. Schneider, Purdue's assistant vice president for industry research.
"We consider supply chain in the context of the state's manufacturing base – when we strengthen one, we need to strengthen the other."
Summit hosts are Purdue, IU and the Ports of Indiana. Co-sponsors are the American Society of Transportation and Logistics, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Duke Realty Corp., Indiana Economic Development Corp., FedEx, National City, Schneider Corp., TechPoint and UPS.
Additional program information is available from Scott Sigman, Ports of Indiana senior director-intermodal, (317) 232-9205, ssigman@portsofindiana.com. Registration, lodging and transportation questions can be directed to Kathy Walters, conference coordinator at Purdue University, (800) 359-2968, kw@purdue.edu.
Writer: Mike Lillich, (765) 4942077, mlillich@purdue.edu
Sources: Rich Cooper, (317) 232-9202, rcooper@portsofindiana.com
John Schneider, (765) 494-5532, jas@purdue.edu
Jody Peacock, Ports of Indiana media source, (317) 233-6225, jpeacock@portsofindiana.com
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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