2019 Conference Programme
Tuesday 6 August, 2019
- 19.00-22.00
- Welcome drinks reception: Hosted at Watertable Ballroom
A great chance for you to get together with fellow delegates in a relaxed atmosphere before the conference starts. Our welcome reception in the Watertable Ballroom provides an excellent forum in which to exchange views and contact details with some of the finest minds in the North American finished vehicle logistics sector... bring lots of business cards!
Wednesday 7 August, 2019
- 08.00
- Coffee and registration:
Join us to collect your badge, enjoy a bite to eat and start the conversation with your fellow delegates.
- 09.00
- OPENING ADDRESS: Richard Powers, Director of Marketing, Maryland Port Administration
- 09.05 – 10.15
- SESSION 1: Catching the trade winds
North America’s finished vehicle import-export market continues to evolve at a rapid pace, as it prepares to adopt the new US-Mexico-Canada Agreement and adapts to ever-changing developments in vehicle import-export flows, distribution models, vehicle technology and supply chain IT. Adapting to a continued period of uncertainty, the industry is considering all areas of its supply chain, production and selling points. Never has the need been greater for those involved in the distribution of finished vehicles to, from and within North America to come together and work out the best course to plot.
Topics and discussion points from speakers include:
- Where the vehicle import-export market is heading - what are the developments?
- What impact will future policy and legislation changes have on trade and industry?
- Will automotive industry evolution cause a dramatic shift to current operations?
- What disruptive technologies are driving change the most?
MODERATOR: Christopher Ludwig, Conference Chairman, Automotive Logistics
- Andrew Higashi, Director Strategy&, PwC
- Amanda Rutherford, Director – Mid-Atlantic Gateway, US Department of Transport - Maritime Administration
- Mike Yang, Vice-President, Changjiu Logistics
- Al Zapanta, President & CEO, US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
- 10.15
- Networking and coffee
An excellent chance to discuss the opening session with your peers over light refreshments.
- 11.00 – 12.15
- SESSION 2a: Rail, Road and Ocean: Collaborating together for success
With growing demand from a strengthened US economy, logistics providers are facing increased pressure in service provision: consumer-led pressure for amazon-like rapid delivery of orders has made the impact of these ongoing supply-side issues more prominent delivery fulfilment. Map this to familiar constraints such as labour shortages, ELD, infrastructure and equipment upgrade or re-investment, it is not surprising that thinking strategically together about how to gain capacity or to provide that “difference in service” is now becoming the marker of having the competitive edge.
Topics and discussion points from speakers include:
- Rail and Road network optimisation: disruption, acts of god, bottle necks and changes to forecast volumes can dramatically change capacity planning. How can operators successfully navigate such challenges?
- How can operators to keep rates flat and secure much needed capacity?
- Is investment being given to upgrade infrastructure networks to meet current and future demand?
- What innovation can be found when moving from factory to dealer?
- What tools for collaborative and shared technology exist between ocean carriers, port operators, connecting infrastructure and logistics providers and what should be developed?
MODERATOR: Dennis Manns, Senior Automotive Advisor, North Motors LLC
- Scott Mabry, Senior Manager, Business Optimization and Planning Finished Vehicle Logistics, Volkswagen Group of America
- James Nash, General Manager USA, Horizon Terminal Services
- Patrick McGinn, Manager, Operations Support, Hyundai Glovis
- Leland Chang, Manager North America Vehicle Logistics - Emerging Technology Development, Ford Motor Company
- Christine Krathwohl, VP Business Development, FreightVerify
- 11.00 – 12.15
- SESSION 2b: Ideas Labs
The Ideas Labs are practical, interactive discussion groups designed to stimulate fresh thinking and innovative solutions. Held in breakout rooms and led by industry practitioners, these sessions allow for more collaborative and lateral thinking and provide an invaluable opportunity to talk directly with your peers about the issues that matter most to you.
Don’t miss this opportunity to pick the brains of leading thinkers in this field and share your own valuable insights about a variety of topics in these vibrant, interactive exchanges.
- Ideas Lab 1: The future of repair and insurance
Christopher Chun, Manager Imports / Exports, Tokio Marine
- Ideas Lab 2: Humans and machines: working together
Daniel Gosson, Consultant, INFORM
- 12.15 – 14.00
- Networking and lunch
An extended networking lunch break in the Watertable Ballroom gives delegates ample opportunity to rub shoulders with our unique gathering of vehicle-makers, logistics service suppliers, infrastructure operators, sponsors and exhibitors.
- 14.00 – 15.15
- SESSION 3a: Optimising port operations for finished vehicle logistics flows
Vehicle volumes are not the only problem for ports – they also have to deal with the challenges of increasing vessel sizes, bunching in ship arrival times, constraints in their own storage capacity and problems in network visibility. All of these can add to the volume pressures, slowing operations and crowding yards.
This session will consider:
- What the key challenges are for ports in managing flows of ships and vehicles
- How communications and network visibility can be improved and what difference this will really make
- Is investment being given to upgrade infrastructure networks to meet current and future demand?
- What the technology innovations are that will drive change and how soon they are likely to be doing so
- What investments and solutions can be made to ensure vehicle quality standards
This session will closely examine port operations and the ways in which they are adapting, investing and managing operational issues for the future success of vehicle logistics.
- Charles Franklin II, Export Sales Division - Manager Export Logistics, American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
- Andre Elmaleh, Senior Manager, Business Development, Non-Container, Northwest Seaports Alliance
- Wade White, Senior Vice President of Sales, VPS
- Gary Salvador, VP Sales & Marketing, AMPORTS
- 14.00 – 15.15
- SESSION 3b: Ideas Labs
The Ideas Labs are practical, interactive discussion groups designed to stimulate fresh thinking and innovative solutions. Held in breakout rooms and led by industry practitioners, these sessions allow for more collaborative and lateral thinking and provide an invaluable opportunity to talk directly with your peers about the issues that matter most to you.
Don’t miss this opportunity to pick the brains of leading thinkers in this field and share your own valuable insights about a variety of topics in these vibrant, interactive exchanges.
Ideas Lab 3: Innovation in moving from factory to dealer
- James Nash, General Manager USA, Horizon Terminal Services
- Luis Zurita, Commercial Manager, Mexico Operations, Horizon Terminal Services
Ideas Lab 4: Rail capacity and innovation
Ideas Lab 5: The Trucking environment
HOST: Marcus Williams, , Editor, Automotive Logistics Group
- Jay Wertzberger, Founder, Auto Transport Intel
- Ty Thomspon, Co-founder, CTS Business Coaching
- 15.15
- Networking and coffee
Your chance to discuss the key issues of the day so far with fellow delegates over light refreshments.
- 16.00
- SESSION 4: Question time – Keeping on track
A Q&A panel session will discuss the evolving ecosystem of North America’s import-export logistics and the strategies required to keep on track with the demands of today’s and tomorrow’s finished vehicle supply chains.
Don’t miss this invaluable final opportunity to listen in as some of the industry’s most senior logistics professionals draw up their action plan for the future!
MODERATOR: Christopher Ludwig, Conference Chairman, Automotive Logistics.
- Chuck Kendig, Asst. Vice President Sales & Production, American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
- Chris Styles, Senior Director SCM Logistics, Nissan North America Inc
- Leland Chang, Manager North America Vehicle Logistics - Emerging Technology Development, Ford Motor Company
- Scott Mabry, Senior Manager, Business Optimization and Planning Finished Vehicle Logistics, Volkswagen Group of America
- 18.00-21.30
- Post-event drinks and BBQ sponsored by Port of Baltimore
Relax, unwind and chew over the key points of the day’s discussions with everyone who is anyone in the North American vehicle import-export sector, as you feast in style with our fabulous post event BBQ’, being held immediately after the final session of the day at Baltimore's spectacularly situated Tir Na Nog Bar & Grill.
