Welcome, Awards, & Academic Challenge Winner Announcement

Inside Intermodal

Join us as we kick off Intermodal EXPO with this attendee favorite. Hear from our panel of industry experts as they provide their insights on the current state of the industry and where we are headed. With detailed coverage of ocean carriers, truckers, 3PLs, and intermodal, you’ll get the inside view of key topics affecting your operations.

Managing & Mitigating Risk

Freight transportation comes with a certain element of risk, but it is frequently kept to a minimum with solid partners and proper planning. The current environment has added new pressure to risk management. Whether it’s geopolitical, climatic, or criminal, new threats are emerging that threaten the safe transport of goods. This panel of experts will explore the various means of reducing risk to the freight supply chain and how to prepare.

Moderator

Adriene Bailey
Partner – Surface Transportation, Oliver Wyman

Panelists

Lisa Gatchell
Managing Partner, Strategy Edge

Bert Mayo
VP of Risk Solutions, TrueNorth Companies

Nathaniel Saylor
Partner, Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary, P.C.

Ian Wasti
Senior Associate, Booz Allen Hamilton

Drayage Health Check

In this session, hear a “drayage state of the state,” including the latest on demand levels, equipment statuses, and operational challenges. Our panel will further explore what can, and should, be done to further the conversation on data analysis, technology integration, and stakeholder collaboration for the betterment of the drayage community and intermodal as a whole.

Moderator

Jason Hilsenbeck
President & Founder, LoadMatch & drayage.com

Panelists

Mike Albert
Founder & CEO, DrayNow

Jennifer Edwards
Vice President of Sales & Agent Relations, Evans Delivery Company Inc.

Kristy Knichel
President & CEO, Knichel Logistics

Peter Schneider
President, T.G.S. Logistics, Inc.

Strategic Marketing for Today’s Intermodal

How are companies developing marketing strategies to position themselves strongly for the road ahead? What factors should be considered as campaigns are developed? Join as our panel of transportation marketing experts tackle these questions and more, providing you pragmatic takeaways for your own operations.

Moderator

Michelle LeBlanc
Founder, Drop & Hook

Panelists

Paloma Burnell
SVP of Sales Ops, STG Logistics

Daniel Kistler
Director of Marketing - Yield Management, Domestic Intermodal, CSX Transportation

Missy Pinksaw
Director of Marketing, Peterson Manufacturing

Matt Schrap
CEO, Harbor Trucking Association

Navigating Nearshoring: Intermodal Perspectives on Supply Chain Realignment

Our panel will examine the impact of nearshoring on intermodal operations. From shifts in shipping routes and modal preferences to changes in port utilization and distribution patterns, our industry experts will tackle how the evolving landscape is influencing the flow of goods in an effort to enhance supply chain resilience, reduce lead times, and mitigate risks associated with global disruptions.

AI in Intermodal: Beyond ChatGPT

Where is AI heading in the industry? What is its true potential vs “science fiction?” What are common use cases currently employed? Our panel will go beyond the surface to uncover the latest innovations and practical implementations of AI across various facets of intermodal transportation. From route optimization and demand forecasting to real-time tracking and autonomous vehicles, we will examine how AI-driven solutions are enhancing efficiency and reliability throughout the industry.

Moderator

Matthew Wittemeier
Director, Marketing and Sales, INFORM Software Corporation

Panelists

Seana Fairchild
CCO, ConGlobal

Chris Machut
CEO, SiteTrax

Maneet Singh
CIO, Odyssey Logistics

The Decarbonization Conundrum

The intermodal industry is facing an energy transition. The EPA has released its final Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Phase 3 standard, eleven states have adopted Advanced Clean Truck rules, and California's Advanced Clean Fleets mandate is pending. Our panel will discuss the straightest line path to facility and fleet decarbonization, a chicken and egg conundrum that requires engagement from a range of transportation and energy stakeholders.

Moderator

Bill Hamlin
Founding Partner, Gray Wolf Group, LLC

Panelists

Dr. Noel Hacegaba
COO, Port of Long Beach

Stephanie Kuntzman
AVP of Consumer Products, BNSF Railway

Weston LaBar
Chief Logistics Officer, InductEV

Ken Uriu
SVP of Business Development, IMC Logistics

Plenary Speaker: Chairman Daniel B. Maffei

Daniel B. Maffei is an experienced public servant who serves as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission since being appointed to the position by President Biden in 2021. Under his Chairmanship, the Commission has reinvigorated its enforcement efforts, prioritized helping U.S. export shippers, and established several new initiatives to address supply chain congestion and efficiency challenges. His career in government spans more than 20 years, including being twice elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 24th Congressional District of New York, and serving as a senior staffer for the House Ways and Means Committee, and U.S. Senators Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Bill Bradley. Chairman Maffei has substantial experience teaching and researching at universities and think tanks, in addition to working as an independent consultant and broadcast journalist.

Speaker

Chairman Daniel B. Maffei
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Meghan O’Sullivan

Meghan O'Sullivan, this year's EXPO Keynote speaker, is a globally respected geopolitical expert who has advised the nation’s highest-ranking leaders on some of the most-complex challenges in international affairs. She is the Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and the Jeane Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at Harvard University’s Kennedy School.

Dr. O’Sullivan addresses topics such as the ever-evolving U.S.-China dynamic, the ties between Europe and Russia, and the changing energy and climate landscape, sharing feasible strategies for companies on risk assessment and how to adapt business to geopolitical and domestic political shifts.

Speaker

Dr. Meghan O’Sullivan
Geopolitical Authority & Presidential Advisor; Harvard Professor & Administrator

Connecting Intermodal: Uniting Worldwide Transportation Systems

Join us as we discuss current barriers that hamper the efficient flow of goods and information in our industry including regulatory and infrastructure disparities, and technological fragmentation. The conversation will highlight key initiatives, recommended practices, and emerging technologies that hold the potential to bridge operational gaps to foster greater collaboration. Hear how interoperable data standards, governance frameworks, and investment in smart infrastructure could provide pathways to interconnectedness.

Moderator

Than Seeds
President & COO, FlexiVan

Panelists

Andrew Petrisin
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

Bryan Brandes
Maritime Director, Port of Oakland

Hot Topics in Rail

What are the need-to-know issues affecting rail and what does this mean for the larger intermodal industry as a whole? Join us for critical insights into current challenges from insiders’ perspectives. Topics covered include sustainability, safety, service, and the latest on activist investors.

Moderator

Tony Hatch
Senior Transportation Analyst, ABH Consulting

Panelists

Dan Bresolin
VP of Intermodal, CN

Dan Corcoran
Director of Intermodal Operations, Indiana Rail Road Co.

Luis Hernandez
VP of Intermodal, Florida East Coast Railway

Farah Lawler
VP, Domestic Intermodal Marketing, BNSF Railway

Fighting Fraud

“Double broker”, the age-old challenge, has now been joined by spoofing scams, outright theft, even holding freight hostage, as new threats to freight. How can we work together to limit the risks that the industry faces and protect our customers’ freight—and our livelihoods? Join this important discussion on fighting fraud.

Moderator

Anne Reinke
President & CEO, Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA)

Panelists

Scott Cornell
National Practice Leader - Transportation and Crime & Theft Specialist, Travelers Inland Marine

Cornell Heldenbrand
VP of Security, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

Brian Kobza
EVP of Commercial and Strategic Services, IMC Logistics

Gene Welsh
Chief Transportation Officer, MODE Global

The Voice of the Customer (Shipper Panel)

What does it really take to convert a load from truck to intermodal? Our BCO (Beneficial Cargo Owner) panel will discuss common challenges and actionable solutions regarding the shipper-carrier relationship. We'll examine the real expectations of BCOs in terms of reliability, visibility, and innovation in intermodal transportation. Key factors driving modal selection decisions will be discussed as will how BCOs collaborate with carriers, 3PLs, and other stakeholders to achieve their supply chain objectives.

Moderator

Steve Hughes
Founder, HCS International

Panelists

Jeff Bishop
Category Manager – Transportation Procurement, Molson Coors Beverage Company

Philip Bolger
Director of Transportation, Sony Electronics, Inc.

Heejoo Ramsey
VP of Logistics, WinFibre (U.S.) Incorporated

Joshua Vaughan
Senior Outbound Manager – Corporate Logistics, Johns Manville

The Latest on Federal Infrastructure Grants: What Are They and How Will They Help My Business?

Join us as Elaine Nessle, executive director of the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors, shares insights on the historic level of federal funding awarded to freight infrastructure projects across the country. The most recent federal transportation investment bill made up to $78 billion available for investment in supply chain infrastructure over five years. Gain an understanding of what’s been awarded, to whom, and how your business will benefit from improved roads, bridges, ports, and rail.

Presenter:

Elaine Nessle
Executive Director of the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC)

Can Zero-Emission Trucks Really Transform Port Operations?

Nikola

Breaking Down Barriers: Transforming Drayage Operations with ModalView's Streamlined Execution Platform

ModalView

On Track for Tomorrow Together

Port of Long Beach

AI Meets Drayage: How Carriers & Brokers Can Successfully Adopt and Deploy AI Today To Improve Efficiency

PortPro