Keynoters &
Feature Presentations
These general sessions are the highlight of
the convention!
Monday, April 23
The Workforce Crisis
 Tamara
Erickson, opening speaker and co-author of
Workforce Crisis: How to Beat the Coming
Shortage of Skills and Talent, will provide
you with a keen understanding of the composition
of the future workforce; valuable insights to
the characteristics and expectations of each age
cohort in the workplace; an understanding of
“engagement”—definition, importance, derivation;
a way of segmenting employees based on their
relationship to work; and specific approaches
for customizing the “employee deal” by segment.
You will understand what your corporation should
do now to attract, retain and motivate the
talent you’ll need for tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 24
Critical Issues for Cold Cargo
Driver Shortage! Rising Fuel Costs! Hours of
Service! These are critical issues facing the
transportation sector. Rebecca Brewster,
President & COO of the American Transportation
Research Institute, will kick off this session
by addressing the current issues based on the
results of the ATRI published study 2006 Top
Industry Issues. Brewster's presentation
will lay the foundation for the next segment of
the program—a panel discussion of major players
in the refrigerated trucking industry, such as
Chris Kozak, President and CEO of Willis Shaw
and IRTA Board member. Avery Vise, Editorial
Director of the Commercial Carrier Journal,
will moderate and facilitate questions from the
audience.
Labor-Union Relations:
A Case Study
The competitive landscape
changes and your union doesn't care. If
scrimping and hoping isn't an option, this
presentation is for you. Newport Cold Storage
had just this experience. Company President
Drew Greenberg and his attorney
Kevin (Kelly) Berens will tell you how they
developed a strategy to allow Newport to survive
in what had essentially become a nonunion,
low-cost marketplace.
They will explain how
contract language, as well as economics, were
addressed. Additionally, they will share the
communication strategy they utilized to keep a
significant portion of Newport's employees loyal
to the company. Finally, they will explain how
they turned the potential disaster of a strike
into a positive—and
became nonunion in less than 90 days.
Wednesday, April 25
Change Leadership
 A
renowned director, attorney, author and coach,
Gary Heil will inspire with his passion for
change, delivering tested strategies for
optimistic leadership toward a shared and
attainable future. Offering practical, take-away
counsel on removing roadblocks, he will share
proven guidelines for creating a different
tomorrow that will lead to a “win-win” outcome
for all team members while accelerating
organizational change, such as:
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