e-Commerce and the Move Towards Collaborative Commerce in Global Supply Chain
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Art Smith, founder, president and CEP of GS1 Canada, an industry-driven organization that enables the development and implementation of global standards for electronic business and supply chain processes, will talk about how e-commerce and RFID is revolutionizing global supply chains. Art will provide an update on the three pilots in Global Transportation and Logistics sponsored by GS1. Prior to forming GS1 Canada, Art had an impressive track record in the Canadian retail industry with the Hudson's Bay Company and Dylex, most notably as President of Biway. A well-known international speaker, Art participates in global initiatives shaping the future of the retail supply chain, contributing industry expertise and Canadian perspective on global standards.

2009 has been perhaps the most difficult period in the history of the trucking industry at least since the Great Depression. So what's next? What is the experts' outlook for the economy in 2010 and what impact is this likely to have on the trucking industry? Has the recession and the loss of jobs in domestic markets, combined with increasing fuel prices caused a re-think of global supply chains? Two leading economic/industry analysts, one for the US and one from Canada will provide their insights

The trucking industry is in the midst of its most challenging of times. A panel of small and large carriers from the LTL and TL sides of the business will discuss whether and the recession has permanently changed the way we do business and what has been learned. Will there be a return to more regional/local supply chains? Other related issues to be discussed will be changing views in terms of the role of enforcement and regulation (ending the culture of cheating), the growing significance of environmental performance in terms of fleet management and shipper pressure, the future of owner-operators, the future role of 3PLs, issues around using load brokers versus hiring your own staff, pandemic preparation, workers compensation, LCV pricing, etc.

Research clearly shows a correlation between driver fatigue and increased rish of crashes. Learn about a Canadian fatigue management program. At the same time, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, can significantly increase driver fatigue. Learn what some proactive carriers are doing to identify drivers with sleep apnea, the treatment options available, the costs and the benefits. Also get an update on the anticipated US mandate to test certain commercial drivers for sleep apnea, and what it means for your operations if you operate cross-border.

Be prepared for what is to come by attending this business session. Indications are that North America is moving toward some form of EOBR mandate to monitor and enforce compliance with the hours of service regulations. In the US, the Obama administration withdrew the Bush government's proposed rule and is expected to introduce its own, tougher rule. In Canada, the Council of Deputy Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety has directed provincial and federal bureaucrats to get on with the job of creating a National Safety Code standards for EOBRs. Some jurisdictions (e.g., Ontario and USDOT) have jumped the gun by demanding carriers to provide GPS records during facility audits. Many carriers are already using EOBRs for business reasons and more are beginning to use "electronic" log books and seeing very positive results.