Several hundred leaders from the shipping and logistics industry will converge on Portland for the Fourth Northwest Intermodal Conference at the Benson Hotel, on May 17 and 18, hosted by the Port of Portland.
Organized by Cargo Business News, the Northwest Intermodal Conference is focused on the Pacific Northwest’s shipping gateways to and from U.S. markets, and will address themes pertinent to the global supply chain’s vital connections to the region and its developing infrastructure.
The annual event is custom-tailored to those moving cargo through the region. It is also a perfect fit for the Port of Portland, following on its third best tonnage year, commencement of a 25-year facility lease to a growing international container terminal operator, and the recent completion of major road, rail and navigation channel improvements.
“The efficient movement of freight on roads, rivers, rails and runways often drives business decision-making and affects the bottom line,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director of the Port of Portland. “That’s what this conference is all about, and we look forward to welcoming our industry colleagues back to Portland in May.”
The 2011 Northwest Intermodal Conference will feature a thorough cross-section of speakers from a logistics supply chain that features several experts, beneficial cargo owners, service providers, and port and terminal operators.
Organizations represented at the event’s sessions will include: BNSF Railway, Food Shippers Association of North America, Maersk, NYK, Pacific Seafood, Panama Canal Authority, Schneider Logistics, Seven Seas Fruit, System Services of America, Total Terminals International, Washington State Department of Transportation, and the ports of Longview, Portland, Seattle and Tacoma.
Session topics will include: the Panama Canal Factor, Pacific Northwest (PNW) Shipper Roundtable, Ask the Experts, Keynote Roundtable on the evolution of chassis provision, PNW niche cargo case studies, and a two-part PNW intermodal series.
“I think this is the most well-rounded Northwest Intermodal Conference yet, with timely content such as the future of chassis provision and hearing from the horse’s mouth about what the widened Panama Canal’s impacts will be on global shipping,” said Peter Hurme, publisher and senior editor of Cargo Business News.
The Northwest Intermodal Conference features networking opportunities including “Collaboration Dinners,” where parties of 10 discuss and work together to address industry challenges and opportunities.
Registration is open, and attendees can take advantage of a discounted rate before it expires on March 31. For event details, including the agenda, sponsorship opportunities, hotel rates, registration and more, go to www.northwestintermodal.com.