"Can't miss" conferences on tap for spring 2013

If you want to be at the top of your professional game, you need to stay abreast of the latest news and trends in our industry. But you can't do that from behind a desk. You have to get out and hear what the experts as well as your peers have to say. Here are just three examples of upcoming events for logistics and warehousing professionals where you can do just that:

The Warehousing Education and Research Council's (WERC) Annual Conference will be held in Dallas April 28-May 1. Keynote speakers include Ross Perot Jr., chairman of Hillwood, and Chris Sultemeier, executive vice president of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. DC Velocity's James Cooke will also be on hand to speak about "Six supply chain trends that will rock warehousing." More than 80 sessions will offer practical information on warehouse operations, workforce management, security, regulatory compliance, technology, and sustainability. Attendees can also check out the latest products and services at the WERC WIRE trade show, which is held concurrently with the conference.

The National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council's (NASSTRAC) Shippers Conference & Transportation Expo is slated for April 21-24 in Orlando, Fla. ESPN's Lee Corso and Matthew Rose, chairman and CEO of BNSF Railway Co., will be the keynote speakers. Sessions will address current developments in Washington, carrier pricing, multimodal transportation, and talent development. The program also includes shipper roundtables and collaborative "learning labs."

The Transportation & Logistics Council's 39th Annual Conference, a joint conference with the Transportation Loss Prevention & Security Association, will be held in San Diego April 22-24. Sessions and workshops will touch on all modes of transportation and will address such topics as risk management and insurance, carrier and broker selection, importing and exporting, freight claims, and intermediary issues. A panel of transportation attorneys will discuss current issues and recent court decisions. Keynote speakers will be Scott McWilliams, executive chairman of OHL, and Ron Popham of the Port of San Diego. Optional pre-conference seminars will cover freight claims, contracts, and legal issues in transportation and logistics.