The Food Logistics Forum, co-hosted by AFFI and GCCA, is the place to be for those in search of solutions and connections needed to navigate today’s increasingly complex cold chain.

Sure, New Orleans may be the city of charm. What, with its bright lights, fiestas and old-fashioned Southern fare, it’s easy to get hypnotized by a town that just keeps getting better looking.

Soon, New Orleans will also be a temporary home to all things frozen.

The Food Logistics Forum, co-hosted by the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), McLean, Va., and the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), Alexandria, Va., is the place to be for those in search of solutions and connections needed to navigate today’s increasingly complex cold chain. The forum, which takes place June 3-5 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans, will bring together frozen food industry leaders from production, foodservice, retail and 3PL providers for an event filled with educational sessions, networking opportunities and a little bit of Southern charm.

Combining the resources of AFFI and GCCA, the Food Logistics Forum will provide participants the information and networking resources they need to navigate the ever-changing logistics landscape. Logistics professionals serving every link in the food chain-from transportation managers at frozen food manufacturing facilities to public refrigerated warehouse operators-will benefit from the educational resources, regulatory information and business development opportunities offered by this joint venture.

To register, go to www.affi.org

Education Sessions
Monday, June 4
Keynote
8:15-9:15 a.m.
John Phillips, senior vice president, customer supply chain and logistics, PepsiCo
What will your consumer value chain need to look like to be competitive in 2020? This presentation will feature thought-provoking findings of the Consumer Goods Forum Future Value Chain 2020 Initiative, a study based on input and insights gathered from more than 200 senior retail and consumer packaged goods manufacturer leaders across the globe. Attendees will hear about the 12 global mega-trends identified by the study that are likely to have significant impacts across the future CPG value chain in technology, changing demographics, sustainability and government regulations. Attendees will also gain insights and strategies for effectively prospering in the changing consumer value chain of the future.

9:15-10 a.m.
Trucking Industry Outlook
Shippers have experienced increasing difficulty in securing trucks over the last year. There are a number of issues significantly impacting the trucking industry’s capacity. This session will briefly introduce these issues and forecast the industry’s capacity for the next several years.

10:15-10:45 a.m.
Hours of Service
Hours of Service is one of the most controversial and confusing issues to face the trucking industry. This session will examine the impact that Hours of Service has on the capacity of the trucking industry.

11–11:30 a.m.
Capacity Outlook for Reefer Container
Barbara Pratt, director, Maersk Line
The international transport of refrigerated cargo has increased steadily in recent years, and become an important part of world container trade. This quick-hitting presentation will examine the current reefer container market conditions and outlook for 2013-2014 and underlying growth prospects for reefer container trade and the main types of cargo carried.

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Consolidation in Dole’s Frozen Supply Chain
Scott Campbell, director of logistics, Dole Packaged Foods; and Kevin Carty, regional operations manager, Dole Packaged Foods
This session will be a case study on Dole’s warehouse consolidation process to support the growth of Dole Packaged Foods. We will examine the factors influencing this transition and the process and evaluation criteria used in warehouse selection.

1:45-2:20 p.m.
Food Safety Modernization Act - Traceability Study

2:20-3 p.m.
Planning for a Disaster in a Distribution Facility
Mark Blanchard, president and CEO, NOCS
How should managers of distribution facilities prepare for the unthinkable? In this session, you will hear lessons learned from one 3PL that was caught in Hurricane Katrina.

Tuesday, June 5
9-9:45 a.m.
Innovative Supply Chain Strategies at a Leading Food Service Distributor
Andrew Cafcalas, vice president of supply chain sales, Sysco

9:45-10:15 a.m.
Supply Chain Demand Forecasting and Planning
In this session, hear how a food processor collaborated with customers and partners to improve inventory planning, forecasting and replenishment.

10:15-11 a.m.
Impact of Consumer Grocery Trends on the Refrigerated and Frozen Food Supply Chain
J.H. Campbell, president and CEO, Associate Grocers, Inc.
Green, fresh and local are three trendy words used to describe the types of food more people are buying. In this session, look at how consumer buying trends at the grocery store will impact the refrigerated and frozen food supply chain in the years to come.

Schedule of Events
Sunday, June 3
9 a.m.                Food Logistics Forum Conference Golf Event
4-7 p.m.            Conference Registration
5-6 p.m.            AFFI Logistics Committee Meeting
6-7 p.m.            Opening Reception

Monday, June 4
7 a.m.-2 p.m.   Conference Registration
7-8 a.m.            Breakfast
8-8:15 a.m.      Welcome and Opening Session, Kraig Naasz - president and CEO, AFFI; Bill Hudson - president and CEO, GCCA
8:15-9:15 a.m. The Future of the Value Chain 2020, John Phillips, senior vice president, customer supply chain and logistics, Pepsico
9:15-10 a.m.     Trucking Industry Outlook
10-10:15 a.m.   Break
10:15-11 a.m.   Hours of Service
11-11:30 a.m.   Capacity Outlook for Reefer Container, Barbara Pratt, director, Maersk Line
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Consolidation in Dole's Frozen Supply Chain, Scott Campbell, director of logistics; and Kevin Carty, regional operations manager, Dole Packaged Foods
12:15-1:30 p.m.  Networking Lunch sponsored by International Reciprocal Trade Association and Presentation of IRTA Executive of the Year
1:45-2:20 p.m.   Food Safety Modernization Act - Traceability Study
2:20-3 p.m.        Planning for a Disaster in a Distribution Facility, Mark Blanchard, president and CEO, NOCS
3:30-5 p.m.        Refurbished NOCS Facility Tour (optional)
5:30-6:30 p.m.   Reception

Tuesday, June 5
7:30-10 a.m.    Conference Registration
7:30-8 a.m.      Breakfast
8-8:45 a.m.      Morning Kick-off and Washington Update, Kraig Naasz - president and CEO, AFFI
8:45-9 a.m.      Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Sustainable Supply Chain Award, Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief, Pilgrim's Pride and Fresh Express
9-9:45 a.m.     Innovative Supply Chain Strategies at a Leading Food Service Distributor, Andrew Cafcalas, vice president, supply chain sales, Sysco
9:45-10:15 a.m.  Supply Chain Demand Forecasting and Planning
10:15-11 a.m.    Impact of Consumer Grocery Trends on the Refrigerated and Frozen Food Supply Chain
J.H. Campbell, president and CEO, Associated Grocers, Inc.
11-11:05 a.m.    Adjourn
11-11:30 a.m.    Food Logistics Conference Planning Committee Meeting
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.    IRTA Board Meeting & Board Lunch