There will be a lot in store for delegates attending the upcoming 123rd running of the IARW-WFLO Convention & Expo in San Diego, California, which runs from April 26-30 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel.
The first day of the gathering of international cold storage operators and industry suppliers will be culminated with the Bill Hudson Recognition Dinner & Roast, where the retiring Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) president and ceo will be honored for 33 years of continuous service to the organization during a 6:30-11:30 PM extravaganza that will feature hosting, roasting, maybe even boasting, definitely toasting, dining and dancing.
In addition to feting the GCCA’s outgoing chief executive, the affair will benefit the Hudson Global Development Fund, which will provide micro-grants to individuals and small enterprises to enhance food production, post-harvest, or cold chain capacities.
On Sunday, April 27, there will be a “State of the Association” board meeting from 10:30 AM-12 PM, followed by a luncheon for the IARW-WFLO board and members of the Scientific Advisory Council (SAC).
The SAC’s “Scientists Speak” session will run from 1:30 to 4 PM, during which time specialists in various fields of importance to cold storage operators will make presentations and answer questions.
On Monday, April 28, Robert B. Tucker of The Innovation Resource is scheduled to deliver the keynote presentation during the 8:30 AM-10:15 PM general session.
On April 29 the focus will be on talent management, which is ever on the minds of GCCA members as they seek ways to attract, train and retain highly skilled and productive personnel. The “Ask a Gen Y” Panel at the WFLO Learning Lounge will give attendees the opportunity to submit questions that will be answered by a panel of Generation Y/Millennial students and young professionals in supply chain logistics.
The panelists include Gina Stavrakakis, an international MBA student at the University of San Diego; Alex Riolo, a finance and supply chain management student at the University of San Diego; and Scott Barbour, QSR team manager at Americold Australia. The goal of the panel is to connect future leaders in the temperature-controlled logistics industry with prospective employers, as well as to encourage a dialogue between the generations.
Barbour, who is also the 2013 Frank Vale Award winner, will lead a session at the Learning Lounge entitled, “Engaging the Future Leaders in the Cold Storage Industry.” He will use the platform to share insights into what attracts and motivates young professionals.
Mark Sato, a master practitioner at the Wiseman Group and the closing general session keynote speaker, will share with attendees how to become multipliers of talent within their own organizations. His presentation is based on the content of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter.
“The future of our industry doesn’t just depend on technology and best practices, but the people who drive its companies. People are our greatest assets and IARW and WFLO are committed to ensuring that our industry is successful in cultivating the next generation of leaders,” said Corey Rosenbusch, president and chief operating officer of the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) and World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), core partners of the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA).
