Delegates at the forthcoming International Federation of Warehousing & Logistics Associations (IFWLA) conference will hear presentations by key executives representing some of the most significant companies operating in the UK’s retail, logistics and manufacturing sectors.
Speakers at the two day conference, which takes place on 2-3 June 2015 in Liverpool, include: John Munelly (John Lewis), Iain Bartholomew (Sainsbury’s), Ian Stansfield (Asda), Rod Turner (Carlsberg), Frank Murphy (Princes Foods), Eleanor Winton (KPMG), Graham Undy (Eddie Stobart) and Martin Brown (DHL). In all, the conference will feature over 30 speakers.
The theme of the conference is ‘Change Equals New Opportunities’ and the first session on day one will set the scene for the event by exploring the mega trends that the logistics industry is set to face in the coming years, identifying the challenges, opportunities and risks that supply chain practitioners should be aware of.
The afternoon session on day one will focus on how logistics companies are responding to the difficult questions raised by the growth of global trade in an uncertain world and the spread of worldwide inter-connected supply-and-demand networks.
The first of two morning sessions on the second day of the conference will highlight the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for operators of warehousing, distribution and logistics services as the gap between production and consumption grows shorter and technology increases the demands and expectations of the consumer.
This will be followed by a session that considers the readiness of the logistics sector to meet the food consumption needs of a growing urban population that is doing more and more of its grocery shopping at convenience stores.
After breaking for a networking lunch, the conference will resume with a discussion on the future of pallet networks. Speakers will consider whether pallet networks are sustainable as the trend toward local fulfillment grows.
The conference will conclude by focusing on some of the infrastructure and property issues that third party logistics companies are facing at the present moment in time and are likely to be confronted with in the future.
“We believe that we have put together an extremely strong conference programme that offers plenty of fascinating topics to grab the interest of logistics professionals,” commented Peter Ward, chief executive officer of the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) – the event’s host and organiser.
“We are delighted to have so many blue chip companies represented among our speakers,” he added.
The ‘Change Equals New Opportunities’ conference is part of the IFWLA’s 2015 Annual Convention. The Convention runs from 1-4 June and, in addition to the conference, features a full programme of site visits, cultural events and networking lunches and dinners.
Over 250 delegates from around the world are expected to attend.
IFWLA’s President, Derrick Potter, said: “Each year the Federation hosts a warehousing logistics industry convention in a different region of the world. This event provides participants with unique opportunities to explore different business models, experience cultural venues and develop business connections.
“I am very excited about the prospect of holding the IFWLA’s annual convention in Liverpool this year. It is a great city, where much business is done and our aim is to provide delegates with a high value business conference, and a convention programme that delivers focused networking opportunities, in informal surroundings, and against a background of rich culture.”
HRH The Princess Royal will visit the Convention on 2 June. The Princess will speak at the Conference about the important work undertaken by Transaid – the charity of which she is Patron.
Full details of the IFWLA Convention and the ‘Change Equals New Opportunities’ conference programme – including delegate package prices – can be found on www.ukwa.org.uk
