TMW Systems' TransForum 2008 User Conference and Exhibition attracted more than 1,300 trucking and transportation services professionals who participated in 280 learning sessions, heard from 10 featured speakers, engaged with 46 industry exhibitors and networked with employees and leaders from over 430 TMW customers across North America and Europe.' The user conference, held this year at the Marriott Orlando World Center in Orlando, FL, is one of the largest events dedicated to helping trucking companies, logistics service providers and other fleet operators harness the power of information and technology for greater profitability.
"Of all the transportation events to attend, TMW's TransForum is absolutely the best," said John Erik Albrechtsen, assistant general manager and fleet executive manager of operations for Paul's Hauling, Ltd., based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Attendees represented all business functions and included executives, finance and accounting, IT, sales, logistics specialists, fleet operations and fleet maintenance personnel.
'I have been coming to TransForum for seven years and each year I have been able to take something new and apply it to our operations,' Dennis Morgan, chief operations officer for Baltimore, Md.-based Cowan Systems, said.' 'This user conference gives my management team a great opportunity to learn how to better utilize the programs they use every day.'
"The DistTech Team found TMW's TransForum excellent on every level and discipline. It is a must for transportation leaders," said Newbury, Ohio-based DistTech Chief Operating Officer, John Rakoczy.
TMW President and Chief Executive Officer David W. Wangler opened the three-day event with his keynote speech. Wangler urged the capacity crowd to move beyond traditional thinking and view the current economic climate as an opportunity to innovate. During his highly charged, 50-minute address, he cited the freight industry's historical cycles of economic downturns and renewed prosperity, noted emerging'societal and technological trends, and challenged the audience to seek out and engage in the fresh thinking, intensive learning and bold action that can transform companies and individuals for the better during difficult times.
Ten featured speakers contributed management insight and fed strategic thinking for executives at the conference, among them were: Dr. Michael J. Economides, chairman of the board of XGAS and Paleon Oil and Gas; Mike Moran, author of the acclaimed book on Internet marketing, Do It Wrong Quickly; Jon A. Langenfield, CFA and director and senior research analyst at R.W. Baird & Associates; and John A. Gentle, DLP, a designated 'Distinguished Logistics Professional' by the American Society of Transportation and Logistics and a 'Logistics Rainmaker' by DC Velocity magazine.' Political strategists Michael E. Murphy and Mary Beth Cahill appeared together on stage during Monday's lunch for a rousing and insightful discussion about the coming election, the political and economic firestorms facing each presidential candidate, and the potential impacts for the American voter.
'It's one thing to read about new trends in technology, but it's quite another to see those technologies demonstrated in person and explained in depth,' commented Christy Murray, chief operating officer for All Pro Freight Systems, Inc. 'We uncovered advanced features already in the TMW software that we rely on for brokerage operations and we are eager to put them to use.'
