In This Issue

The 2009 IARW-WFLO-IRTA Convention & Expo

Invitation from the Chairman

Harness the Power of the Expo

2009 Keynote Addresses

Why and How Your Customers Are Changing

What’s Your Focus?

Managing Amidst the Market Meltdown

Global Economy on Agenda in Amsterdam

Cold Storage Industry News

Food Industry News

Government News

The IARW-WFLO-IRTA Convention & Expo is the world’s largest refrigerated warehousing, logistics, and transportation event. This year, the industry will gather in Palm Springs, California, USA on 29 March thru 2 April 2009 to participate in educational programs, meet vendors, and attend presentations that will significantly impact your business in this turbulent economic climate. Why should you attend? Check out just a few of the opportunities that the IARW-WFLO-IRTA Convention & Expo offers in this issue of Cold Connection, or visit our website to learn more and register today!

Make sure to take advantage of our Early-Bird Special - all attendees that register before 6 February will receive a 10% discount!

During these tough economic times, most companies are looking for money saving ideas. The 2009 IARW-WFLO-IRTA Convention & Expo offers more than just good ideas. It’s the best opportunity of the year to gain the tools that you need to improve your company’s bottom line. In addition to the great networking opportunities members enjoy among colleagues, the expo offers the benefit of learning about new innovations in technology, handling equipment, and building design and materials aimed at reducing costs and raising profits.

I encourage members to join us in Palm Springs, California, USA, for an event that will help strengthen your company’s outlook through any change in the global economy.

- Mike Henningsen, IARW Chairman

Savvy warehouse members use the IARW--WFLO-IRTA Expo to identify the best products, negotiate the best deals, and make strategic business decisions that lower expenses and elevate facility performance. Be among the 90+ exhibitors that showcase their products and services directly to the industries biggest decision makers! The deadline for booth requests is fast approaching and priority spaces must be requested by 9 January 2009.

Planing on advertising in the Convention Onsite Program? Reserve your booth at the same time as your ad space, and save 10%! For the first time ever we will be featuring convention program ads in color. Get the attention of over 700+ attendees with your vibrant color program ad and expo booth. Take advantage of this one-time-offer here.

Expo question? Contact Megan Kalaski.  For advertising please contact James Rogers or call +1 703 373 4300 or download the 2009 GCCA Media Kit.

This year’s impressive keynote speakers will help attendees navigate through the slumping economy and show that there’s plenty of reason for long-term optimism.

Making Cents of the Global Economy - This opening keynote, led by Dr. Robert Genetski, the renowned economist, author, and investment advisor, will help attendees “make cents” of the economic principles at play in the current global economy and learn the right way to think about economics that will help steer your business to brighter days.

Ready or Not, Here They Come - In this closing keynote, “Ready or Not, Here They Come – Five Trends That Will Change Everything”, Dr. Lowell Catlett, celebrated futurist, economist, and author, will demonstrate why, despite these dark economic times, there is a bright future ahead. Dr. Catlett will present the “Five Trends” that are changing society and providing more opportunities than ever before.

As customers change, so must their service providers. Today’s rising food costs, record-high operating costs, and environmental concerns are fundamentally altering food processing and distribution practices. At this year’s Convention in a special Feature Presentation, a panel of leading food professionals, featuring Ken Grove, VP of Logistics at ConAgra Foods, will give valuable insights to attendees on how to align their services with today’s evolving customer.

The 2009 IARW-WFLO-IRTA Convention & Expo will offer 15 “Focus Sessions” that spotlight the industry’s most important operations and trends issues. No matter your “focus," you’ll find a range of sessions that speak to your most pressing needs. Here’s an example of one focus session that you won’t want to miss.

On the Case
This session will help members create a superior case-picking system tailored to their unique facilities. Based on WFLO’s recent groundbreaking case-picking study that was conducted across eight different PRW facilities, this presentation will reveal a menu of implementation-ready case-picking models that can be adapted to any operation. Attendees will benefit from the insights of this study and learn strategies for making their own model more efficient and profitable.

BG Strategic Advisors has published an overall look of the causes, implications, and survival strategies of the 2008 market meltdown as it applies to the supply chain and logistics industry. Learn more about this report. For a wealth strategies and concrete solutions that will see your company through these difficult time, register today for The 2009 IARW-WFLO-IRTA Convention & Expo.  The world is yours, seize it today!

How will the global financial crisis affect the cold chain logistics industry? What challenges will cold storage, distribution and transportation companies have to face? What does the recession mean for your company? During the 12th European Cold Chain Logistics Education Program in Amsterdam (26-27 January 2009), these questions will be discussed.

Join the 12th European Cold Chain Logistics Education Program in Amsterdam to hear what industry experts have to say about weathering the economic storm. Also, join us there for a post-tour designed for our international participants. Learn more about the program and register today.

ColdStoreDesign.com has reached a partnership agreement with the China Internal Trade Engineering Design and Research Institute to expand the cold storage industry in China.  See full story from Pacific Shipper.

The government of Angola approved the construction of refrigerated warehouses in nine provinces through the country.  See full story from Macauhub.

Logistics Management Magazine wants to test your knowledge with their Logistics Management Quiz! Take the online quiz and you may qualify to win an iPod nano. Find out more.

Positions Available: VersaCold is seeking a Chief Engineer at two of their facilities: Henderson, Nevada, USA and Denver, Colorado, USA. The positions call for a candidate with 7 plus years of ammonia refrigeration  experience.  See full postings.