Georgia’s Fifth Annual Logistics Summit to Attract 2,000 Attendees

ATLANTA, March 19, 2013 – The fifth annual Georgia Logistics Summit will be held on March 19-20, 2013 at the Georgia World Congress Center. The Summit is hosted by the Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and is the only industry-driven, state-led event of its kind and size in the nation and continues to grow in attendance each year. The Summit is expected to attract a record 2,000 attendees.

“As we celebrate our fifth year, I’m thrilled at how the Summit has rapidly grown to become one of the largest logistics industry gatherings in the U.S., “said Page Siplon, executive director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics.

The new “2013 Georgia Logistics Report: A Global Perspective” (http://bit.ly/149yXq2) will be released at the Summit. The report takes a unique and current look across key sectors of the logistics ecosystem including trucking, rail, air cargo, ocean cargo, warehousing/distribution, and retail/manufacturing and explores the changing logistics landscape at a global, national and state level for each of these sectors.  The report is a reference guide filled with data, charts, and information extracted and summarized from over 300+ industry and government resources from around the world.  It’s a starting point for industry professionals looking to expand into new markets or just keep up with the current state of the global logistics industry.

The 2013 Summit will feature four new interactive panel discussions in line with the Summit’s theme, “Connect. Compete. Grow.” Attendees will get a chance to interact with some of Georgia’s newest located and expanding companies in the “New Kids on the Block” panel; hear updates from truck, rail, air, and sea transportation leaders in the “Rapid Fire Transportation Update” panel; participate in a Q&A with some of the industry’s most recognized experts in the “Ask the Experts” panel; and learn about business opportunities with experts from around the world in the “International Logistics Partnerships & Possibilities” panel.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal will kick off the Summit by sharing a State of the State logistics-focused update. The lunch keynote speaker will be Richard Westenberger, CFO of Carter’s, Inc., who will cover the impact of multi-channel commerce on logistics and retail operations. In addition, the Summit will offer networking events and industry-focused opportunity sessions for food, manufacturing and retail. Opportunity sessions will be led by a diverse list of seasoned industry executives. The Summit’s Growth Champion partners include Coca-Cola Refreshments, CSX Transportation, Delta Cargo, Georgia Ports Authority, Georgia Power, Manhattan Associates, Microsoft, Norfolk Southern, The Home Depot, and UPS.

Georgia’s seamless logistics ecosystem allows companies to move people and products quickly and easily by air, road, railway and sea. Georgia is home to the world busiest passenger airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and to the world’s largest carrier, Delta Air Lines. Eighty percent of the U.S. is within a two-day truck haul from Georgia. The Peach State has the Southeast's most extensive rail system and largest intermodal hub, and the Port of Savannah is the fastest-growing and fourth-largest U.S. port in total volumes. These among other key logistics assets give companies doing business in Georgia a competitive edge.

About GDEcD:  The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) plans, manages and mobilizes state resources to attract new business investment to Georgia, drive the expansion of existing industry and small business, locate new markets for Georgia products, inspire tourists to visit Georgia, and promote the state as a top destination for arts events and film, music and digital entertainment projects. More information on Georgia’s services for international trade and other industries is available at www.georgia.org.

About the Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics:  The Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics is the leading statewide resource for fueling logistics industry growth and global competitiveness. Directly assisting companies to overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities related to the movement of freight, the Center provides focused expertise, specific industry data, connections to state resources, and an extensive cross-sector industry network. For more information please visit www.georgialogistics.com.