ANNUAL MEETING RECAP
met with shippers looking for pro-
viders. Each shipper was teamed
up with an experienced provider
in that vertical. In these intimate
roundtable discussion sessions, car-
riers learned how to become suc-
cessful players in these verticals:
• Medical
• Home Delivery
• Automotive
• Ecommerce (DDU)
• Pharma
• Critical Parts/Warehousing
• LTL
• Office Supply
Post-event surveys also gave
this new approach an enthusiastic
thumbs-up.
Outgoing president Kirk Godby
explained the reasons for the changes
in his remarks at the meeting: “Two
years ago when I stepped in as pres-
ident we made it our mission to
engage the shipper and supply chain
industries. Those of us in the indus-
try have always known that we were
the source of successful last mile
deliveries. But those outside our
industry didn’t. They know about
us now. Over the last two years we
have aggressive strived to engage
the supply chain industry. And now
its members know that we are out
there on the forefront of final- mile
solutions. This conference, and all
that we do, is about creating oppor-
tunities for our members. But we are
not done. We are just getting started
with a record number of attendees
and shippers at this conference. We
are a 29 year old association that is
the voice of the industry working for
the common good of the customized
logistics industry. Our value prop-
osition has always included provid-
ing education, advocacy and net-
working. Through the hard work of
the board and our members, we’ve
added a fourth leg to that value
proposition: business opportunities.
That’s what this conference was all
about. This meeting has become a
place that those in the industry feel
they must be, both to learn about
new trends and to bring in new
business.“
In his final rema rks to the
meeting as president of CLDA he
said: “I am proud of this association
and where it’s headed. I am humbled
to have been the leader of this orga-
nization as it’s evolved to meet the
needs of its members and their cus-
tomers. I truly appreciate and would
like to thank each one of you for your
continued support of the CLDA.” The
reaction was a standing ovation.
Practical Knowledge from
Industry Thought Leaders
The conference also included
13
workshops and panels about issues
affecting the customized logistics and
delivery industry.
On Day One, the keynote was
delivered by YRC Worldwide Inc.
President James L. Welch who talked
about the Final Mile and the Role of
LTL. “Those of us in the less-than-truck-
load sector need help from companies
like yours when it comes to deliver-
ing the last mile. We have assets, but
we need you,” he said. “The Amazon
Effect means that consumers feel that
they need what they want to be deliv-
ered at home and delivered fast…
LTL drivers aren’t equipped to handle
these new consumer spending habits.
We will need more partners to deliver.
We have to pick up and deliver freight
in a way that satisfies our customers
and the members of CLDA are the key
to making this happen… We are the
travel agents for freight….The purpose
I’ve attended this meeting for 15 years, but this
one was the best ever, both from an education-
al and opportunity point of view. Everywhere I
twisted and turned I found opportunities,”
Larry Zogby, RDS Delivery Service, New York, NY
Customized Logistics and Delivery Association | Fall 2016