May 14 –17, 2008
Loews Coronado Bay Resort
San Diego, California

Preliminary Meeting Agenda

 

Wednesday, May 14
8:00 am – 1:00 pm Golf Tournament – East Lake Country Club
1:00 pm – 2:00pm Golf Lunch
10:00 pm - 2:00 pm San Diego Zoo Tour
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm First Time Attendee / Vendor / Sponsor Reception
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Grand Opening Night Reception  - Exhibit Hall
   
Thursday, May 15
8:00 am – 9:00 am Meet the Candidates Breakfast
9:00 am – 10:30 am Annual Business Meeting and Board Election
10:30 am – 10:45 am Vendor Break
10:45 am – Noon KEYNOTE - DAN CLARK
"The Answers Are Still In The Box" Taking It To The Next Level
We're told to think outside the lines and outside the box. What if the answers are still in the box? Most people complicate their lives and never fulfill their destiny because they think it's the responsibility of their community and their job to make life exciting and meaningful. They resent their jobs and only look forward to Friday instead of Monday. They think they are paid by the hour, when in reality they are paid for the value they bring to that hour. They think success and happiness are found outside themselves, instead of within.

Consequently, too many come to meetings in search of new answers when what they really need are the right answers. You can't get right answers from wrong questions and the answers to the right questions are already within your organization. They are within you! When we believe if best is possible, good is not good enough and that none of us can exceed our potential, we just misjudge it, we start to comprehend that we really can take it to the next level, become THE brand of choice not price, increase productivity and profitability, attract more market share and become more of who we already are!
Noon – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Building a Defense Strategy Against Employment Claims
David R. Jimenez, Esq.

Employment claims in the United States continue to rise every year.  Now more than ever, employees are seeking legal representation in remedying human resource issues.  The workplace is changing rapidly, and so is workplace law.  The rules are complicated, and even minor mistakes can lead to liability.  

Don’t wait for the lawsuit to be filed!  You need to protect you courier business from employment, workers comp, general liability, class actions, cargo and other workplace litigation threats before a claim is made. Attorney David R. Jimenez will discuss preventive strategies for dealing with today's workplace law challenges.  Learn what every courier company needs to do before, during and after an incident that to prevent a Lawsuit that can lead to heavy settlements of back overtime pay and, in some states, to a multitude of penalties for violations. (could land you in front of a judge).  David will share information about how to document, memorialize and strategize a case to build a defense strategy from incident through appeal that gives you the best odds.
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm Break
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm Alternatives to the Independent Contractor Model – Why You Need Alternatives and What They Are
Moderator, Chris Mackrell

Protecting the future of your business is just as important as growing your business into a successful and profitable organization.  The Independent Contractor Business Model continues to be under siege from state regulators, trial lawyers, and increasingly from the federal government.  What does this mean for your business? Higher operational costs, stricter guidelines for compliance leaving your company vulnerable to back taxes, fines, penalties and interest that could run into the thousands or 100's of thousands of dollars. 

Any company today in the sameday delivery business needs to know the alternatives to the Independent Contractor Model.  Gain insights that will enable you to continue to deliver consistent customer service while limiting your liability and rising costs.  Learn about options such as using a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) for employee leasing or contracting through a Master Contractor.  This panel discussion is critical to anyone in the sameday delivery industry.
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm Break
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Finding New Revenue Streams: How to Become the First / Last Mile Solution for Freight Forwarders
Moderator, Rob Slack, NationalDelivery.com

Looking to grow your company and find new revenue streams?  There are many opportunities to grow your company’s revenues as a 3rd party logistics solution as the first and last mile vendor and short term storage provider in areas such as home delivery, parts warehousing, airfreight, and more.  This panel discussion will educate you about the hidden treasures and the pitfalls surrounding 3rd party logistics. 

Learn more about this opportunity from experienced panelists who have successfully incorporated this service into their business model.  You will hear from the experts how to pursue this opportunity, maximize your assets of people and equipment, deliver this service, and avoid the pitfalls.
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Poolside Reception
   
Friday, May 16
8:00 am – 9:00 am Meet the Vendors Breakfast
9:00 am – 10:30 am Delivering Unforgettable Customer Service, Making Price Irrelevant to Your Customers
John DiJulius Presents “Creating World Class Customer Service”

Author of the book “Secret Service: Hidden Systems that Deliver Unforgettable Customer Service” and founder of DiJulius Group, John will demonstrate How to become a World-Class Customer Service Organization in ways that have been proven by companies like The Ritz Carlton, Disney, and Nordstrom who have trained 50,000 associates to consistently deliver world class customer service. 

Learn about the ‘secret service’ techniques that when implemented into your operation can make price irrelevant to your customers.  He describes ways to get your customers to ‘jones’ for your service leaving the threat of competition out of the picture.  Get ready to have your creative ideas pumped up, learn how to implement the ‘secret service’ that wins loyalty from customers and translates into greater revenues and profitability.
10:30 – 11:00 am Vendors Break
11:00 am – Noon Marketing in Today's Electronic World: Increase Your Leads and Improve Your Closing Rate
Moderator, Larry Zogby, President, RDS Delivery Service
Scott Gallagher, Comprehensive Courier Solutions

Chances are you have a web site already, but is it doing the job it was meant to do?  Today the market is saturated with internet marketing acronyms – each with a price tag and a promise.  Learn from the expert, Scott Gallagher, what you can do to maximize your presence on the web, beat out your competitors in search rankings, increase the leads generated from visitors and effectively develop and implement a marketing strategy to close the sale. 

Review strategies that will provide you with the tools you need to make the best decisions about where to put your money on the web, how you can realize the return on your investment and create a seamless process from marketing to sales by incorporating the leads from your website into a CRM – Contact Relationship Management Software and launch and manage an effective e-mail campaign. 

If the jargon and the mystery have prevented you from making these necessary moves for your business growth, then this panel discussion will be your classroom for Getting The Most from Your Internet Presence – after all, your competitors are probably already doing it!
Noon – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm GLAC Update: Government and Legal Affairs Committee
Moderator, Chris Mackrell

With so much at stake in the next election, there is no longer an option to ignore or take a ‘wait and see’ posture regarding the issues now in play that will effect our industry. 

Are you aware of the current case against FedEx that carries the potential for a fine as large as a BILLION DOLLARS?  If this case goes against FedEx – what doors are then opened to fine your company?  Are you up to date with federal and state guidelines on The Independent Contractor Business Model and how it continues to be under siege from state regulators, trial lawyers, and the federal government? 

Learn what the MCAA is doing to lobby for support in Washington and the states and how you can get involved to help bring this critical topic to the attention of legislators in support of our industry.
2:15 pm – 2:30 pm Break
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Operational Efficiency – Techniques and Tools to Reduce the Cost of Doing Business
Moderator, Rob Hackbarth, CEO, Hackbarth Delivery Service, Inc.

Imagine a team of experts examining your company and delivering solutions that will increase productivity, reduce costs and overall improve your operations and your paycheck.  This panel promises to give you the next best thing – a group of seasoned transportation executives who will explore topics on how to improve your bottom line through Operational Efficiency. 

Learn where you can ‘locate’ a cost cutting opportunity through creative purchasing arrangements, using technology to reduce overhead and hear real examples of how these opportunities were implemented to realize the savings and improve their bottom line.  Each panel member will give a short presentation on how to control an important operational cost and you will be invited to ask questions and share some of your own success formulas. 

These operational topics can be the difference between going out of business or being immensely successful.  This will be a highly educational and interactive session. Bring questions and be prepared to leave with new tools for improving your company’s effectiveness and financial health.
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Reception
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Annual Banquet
   
Saturday, May 17
9:00 am – 10:30 am Brunch