Speaking on the first day of Jump Start 2020, Joe Thiesmann gave a rousing keynote address while conference chair Eric Stone, senior manager of domestic sourcing and supplier performance at Johnson & Johnson, ended his brief presentation by showing the audience how to create value in the freight transportation procurement process. While price is important, his team also considers the sustainability programs at their carrier partners, the diversity of those suppliers, and the companies’ commitment to new technology.

On the second and third days of SMC³’s Connections 2019 supply chain and logistics conference, attendees spent their time learning about the ins and outs of the economy and discussing transportation infrastructure and regulations. Emory University’s Jeffrey Rosensweig fears of a recession, while the ATA’s Randy Guillot made the case for a gas tax.

It’s impossible to avoid politics at any substantive gathering of supply chain and transportation industry leaders, and during the first day of the Connections 2019 logistics conference at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, the government was front of mind, both implicitly and explicitly, during most panel conversations.

During the opening day of the Jump Start supply chain conference, panelists discussed transportation infrastructure, logistics collaboration and the ever-present trucking capacity crunch. The more than 550 attendees included shippers, 3PLs, carriers and technology providers who assembled to explore the latest trends in supply chain visibility and AI’s expanding role in the industry, among other topics.

Attendees come to SMC³ educational events for the unvarnished truth, and Don Ratajczak’s ability to provide the crowd with the information they need to make informed decisions about economic pain points is unparalleled. His extemporaneous, animated speaking style provided a jolt many attendees likely needed after a late night of rocking out to Lou Gramm.

SMC³ hosts its Connections and Jump Start educational conferences in order to bring together supply chain stakeholders for three days of informative panels and targeted, meaningful networking. But on the first two days of Connections 2018, there was plenty of talk of the NBA and of one star player in particular.