President's Message
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: 2006 FSA CONFERENCEIf you are in America and in the business of Shipping Food (or anything else for that matter) the recent hurricanes have, no doubt, touched you and your business. Closer to home, here in the Baton Rouge area, the “touch” pretty much knocked us on our logistical kiester, tossed us around like the proverbial BB in a 55 gallon drum (previously used to transport who knows what) and put us on a course of recovery that would make Don Quixote’s quest look like a dedicated freight lane. The weather, the cost of fuel, the demands for tractors, drivers, capacity and equity, fuel surcharges, the mosquitoes, Hours of Service whimsies, our government in action, the swamp, – the logistics issues that our nation discussed in detail after Katrina and Rita passed - were all issues that Food Shippers of America members faced prior to the storms. We just weren’t getting a lot of press! Each element listed above, and many more, contribute to the daily adversities that often make our distribution life a challenge. They were here long before the Twin Sisters passed through Louisiana. We recognized those challenges when we scheduled our The main concern of the CEO where I work is not leviathan competition or the cost of fuel; it is the concern for our independent business owners wanting to get up each morning and put the key in their business door and open up for business. The folks who started many of the businesses and organizations that have survived thus far (In our industry, it’s those who can remember both Regulation and De-regulation) must all look to friends and colleagues for answers to our conference theme: The recent catastrophic weather events and the continuing war on terror add a timely depth of meaning to the notion of handling what comes next, Who? How? Why?
This conference promises to help us find some answers – both formally and informally. The Program Planning Committee is finalizing an agenda that combines the best of speakers and panels:
Current Events: fiscal and operational trends in the industry in the nation. Next Generation - Problems and Solutions: – not just next generation tractor engines – next generation people, too. Interactive Panels: representing transportation modes, Freight Bidding; Industry Best Practices” And, of course, our conference staples: The “Washington Update” and a “Financial Analyst’s review of the economy”. More information on the speakers and topics will be covered in next month’s email. Networking. We have heard your request to provide more opportunities to meet and spend time with attendees across the membership. The opening business meetings will be eliminated for this conference, to allow for a cleaner session commencement. The carrier poll will still be conducted. A new seating assignment format will also ensure better access to industry members. Be advised that we will reserve the right to limit the number of attendees from individual companies based on FSA board review. Golf: Omni Championsgate is supported by 2 Greg Norman developed golf courses that will be used for the association golf tournament. Be sure to sign up for the Sunday (2/19) golf tournament. Food and Fun: Be at the group receptions & dinners; check the spouse tour details and plan to participate in the “Texas, Hold ‘Em Tournament” on Monday evening. If you have business to conduct off site – please schedule it on the days prior to or after the conference.-- I can tell you that on more than one occasion I was proud to be a part of the process that was providing the necessities of life to the many thousands of people who were affected by the storms that devastated this area. Food Distribution is seldom a glamorous business – but it certainly gave the folks down here respite when it was water and ice on the trailers; or peace of mind knowing that the groceries would be there as the stores re-opened. Please join us in February and share your experiences. John Murphy, the FSA Administrator promised me that there are no alligators on the golf course. Next email update will be in early November. Please continue to check our website as the conference registration and golf forms will be available soon for those that wish to register early. (A good idea.) Remember the dates, February 19-21, 2006 as this conference can only be a success if you are there. Hope to see you in Orlando.
John Gillespie |