Third annual Georgia Logistics Summit attracts record numbers, top names in the industry

ATLANTA, May 6, 2011 – Mike Mayoras, CEO of logistics solutions powerhouse RedPrairie, will headline a slate of high-profile speakers during the third annual Georgia Logistics Summit on Tuesday, May 10. More than 1,200 members of Georgia's logistics community will gather at the Cobb Galleria to learn about the latest trends, success stories and opportunities in this booming industry in the state.

'Our logistics system is one of the state's top selling points for business recruitment and expansion,' said Gov. Nathan Deal. 'In fact, it sells itself. Entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies alike have told us time and again that our transportation infrastructure is the secret to their success. The Georgia Logistics Summit is an excellent example of commitment to competitiveness and the industry of logistics.'

Other speakers at the day-long event include Jack Wells, Chief Economist for the U.S. Department of Transportation; Mayor Kasim Reed of Atlanta; Curtis Foltz, Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority and Peter Keller, a top consultant in the maritime industry and Principal of Peter Keller & Associates. Each will address the conference's theme, 'Thriving in a Changing Ecosystem.'

For the first time, the summit has added 'Opportunity Sessions,' with experts sharing insight on how to tap into six key industries for business opportunities: agribusiness, energy, life sciences, manufacturing, air freight and ocean freight. With 36 session presenters from companies like UPS, FedEx, Delta Cargo, Mohawk, Havertys, Norfolk Southern, CSX, E-Z-GO and other logistics users, participants will hear directly from customers about their perspectives and needs.  Attendees can also participate in a pre-summit networking event on May 9, at which several new academic and leadership awards will be presented to Georgia colleges and people making a difference in the logistics industry and the state.

'The demand for participation in the summit is extraordinary; in fact registration has more than tripled from its first year in 2009,' said Page Siplon, director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics, organizer of the event. 'This has very quickly become a truly one-of-a-kind event. No other state is leading something with this scale and focus. It's a great opportunity to learn what's new and on the mind of the industry and allows them to connect with stakeholders from all across the logistics ecosystem, such as technology experts, freight transportation and storage providers, new customers, and federal, state and local leaders.'

The Center of Innovation, an industry-focused component of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, also publishes the annual Georgia Logistics Report, a comprehensive profile of the state's logistics industry and a blueprint for its growth, available on the center's website at http://report.georgialogistics.org. The center helps companies streamline, quicken and lessen risk in logistics innovation by connecting them with a broad range of university research, technology and industry expertise and connections. Its goal is to identify new business opportunities and models that will help them compete and grow.

Georgia's logistics and transportation network is one of its most formidable assets, undergirding all industry in the state by enabling companies to quickly and seamlessly reach domestic and international markets through interconnected airports, seaports, rail and roads. Companies in the state can reach 80 percent of the U.S. market within a two-day truck haul or a two-hour flight, and the port of Savannah is the fastest-growing container port in the country. The state is home to more than 11,000 logistics service-providers and directly employs over 142,000 Georgians from all parts of the state.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.

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Facts about Georgia's logistic industry World's busiest passenger airport with top 10-ranked international air cargo hub Fastest-growing container port in the U.S. 4th-largest container port in the U.S. and 6th largest automobile port in the U.S. 80% of U.S. market within a 2-day truck haul or a 2-hour flight Most extensive railroad network and largest intermodal hub in the Southeast Over 230 million cubic feet of cold-storage warehouse space, including half of North America's Top-10 largest providers 142,000 Georgians directly employed by 11,000-plus logistics service providers in 2010 More than 800,000 workers employed 33,000 logistics-dependent users in 2010 Operations in Georgia by 90% of the world's top 25 third-party logistics providers More than 100 logistics-related education degrees, courses, programs and certificates 5th in the U.S. for logistics-related patents The No. 1 companies on Transport Topic's Top 100 'For-Hire Providers,' Private Users,' and 'Service Providers' lists are located in Georgia (UPS, Coca-Cola Enterprises and UPS-Supply Chain Solutions respectively)