How do logistics and supply chain conferences complement supply chain on-the-job training?
Authored by SMC³ on August 27, 2019
The complex world of less-than-truckload transportation can seem overwhelming to new professionals just beginning their supply chain careers. On the truckload side, finding the optimal routing for loads is sometimes maddeningly difficult. Deciphering transportation regulatory changes and understanding the trickle-down impact of tariffs and other governmental decisions can likewise be out of reach to even the most seasoned domestic transportation veteran.
Unfortunately, experience in the field isn’t easily gained. The optimal way to understand the intricacies of today’s supply chain environment is to participate in an educationally focused transportation conference. Events hosted by a reliable company with decades of industry expertise arm attendees with new supply chain ideas and transportation tools.
Why isn’t on-the-job training sufficient?
When learning on the job, new employees benefit from the experience of corporate leadership and other company veterans. That may be plenty when performing simple, everyday tasks, but to truly understand the myriad complexities of the current supply chain and excel at your role as a carrier, 3PL, shipper or technology provider representative, it’s truly best to seek out new sources of information.
Educational supply chain conferences provide attendees with focused panels and keynote speeches that are relevant not only to the everyday work functions, but can also help further supply chain careers. The networking opportunities are also invaluable, as these informal meetings are the best way to generate new contacts and maintain trusted business relationships.
What should attendees look for when considering what supply chain conferences to attend?
Networking opportunities, content and location are all important factors to consider when weighing how to spend valuable continuing education dollars. Look for conferences that encourage attendees to learn, collaborate and explore new ways to make their businesses succeed. You can find this out by looking at a company’s track record for putting on events, or even asking around in the industry about the best conferences to attend.
Attendees should come back to work eager to make appropriate and informed decisions about supply chain challenges and opportunities based on the knowledge they’ve collected during the event.
And remember, sometimes the greatest business opportunities arise during entertainment networking events or during scheduled mingling breaks throughout the conference day.
If location is the deciding factor on the event, pick a conference that’s near a major transportation hub. Atlanta, the transportation hub of the Southeast, has become one of the leading cities in technology infrastructure and is the best place to gather together and analyze the issues that will come to define the year ahead.
SMC³’s next event, Jump Start 2020, will be held at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly in Atlanta from January 27-29. Keep up-to-date for the latest details here.