Get out from inside the freezer and soak up the sun, all while learning the relationship between profit and sustainability in today’s temperature-controlled logistics industry.

The Global Cold Chain Alliance, Alexandria, Va., presents the annual IARW-WFLO Convention & Expo, which brings together more than 700 of the world’s leading public refrigerated warehousing and logistics professionals for networking, educational sessions and a world-class expo.

The 122nd IARW-WFLO Convention & Expo takes place May 4-8 at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, Fla. Attendees will learn ways in which to implement changes that positively affect not only the environment, but also your bottom line and the future of your company.

Drawing on the theme of “Profitable Sustainability,” the convention will touch on:

• How can sustainability be profitable?
• Thinking beyond energy: How do water, ammonia operations, waste management and operations factor in?
• How can we design to maximize output while lowering energy consumption?
• Cost vs. ROI: Measuring the cost of employing new features vs. anticipated energy savings and long-term ROI.
• What can you do to sustain your workforce for the future?

The event kicks off with leadership meetings on May 4. On Sunday afternoon, members of the WFLO Scientific Advisory Council present their latest research in food science, food safety, packaging and logistics at the Scientists Speak program. All attendees are invited to the welcome reception on May 5.

The keynote, “Generations Today—The Rules Keep Changing,” by Karen McCullough, speaker and consultant, will teach the audience on how to create an enthusiastic multigenerational team. Working and living harmoniously is essential in every business, organization and family. With four, and very soon five generations working and living side by side, there are subtle generational differences in work ethic, use of technology, communication styles, job expectations, career development and attitudes. While at times, the generational mix has potential for frustration and misunderstandings, there are huge opportunities for productivity, creativity, innovation, knowledge transfer and strategic advantages.

Next is Andrew Winston, author of “Green to Gold” and the soon-to-be-released “Green Recovery,” to discuss “Finding the Gold in Green.” Winston, founder of Winston Eco-Strategies, will outline what works—and what doesn’t—when companies go green.

The expo hall, featuring products and services specifically for the cold storage industry, opens May 6, followed by focus sessions, which are 45-minute discussions that outline the latest in the industry’s most important trends and issues. Sessions with warehouse members include:

• Energy 101: A Primer for Executives, Marcus Wilcox, Cascade Energy
• Leveraging Energy Efficiency to Build a Sustainable Brand, Chris Covell and Danielle Marquis, SmartWatt; Bernie Thomas, Nor-Am
• Improve Warehouse Productivity and Sustainability through Lift Truck Technology, Steve Raymond, Raymond Handling; Mike Bevers, Darigold
• Getting Customers to Adopt WMS Technology, Wes Jayne, Halls Warehouse

On May 7, attendees can once again take advantage of expo time, followed by a general session and the annual IARW Golf Classic. The show wraps up May 8 with one last chance to visit with exhibitors, a general session and a farewell event.

Get in the know on everything refrigeration and logistics. Go to www.gcca.org for more information.