Former American Ninja Warrior competitor, professional entertainer and motivational speaker Alex Weber will keynote the 2024 Logistics Conference presented by the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) and its Specialized Furniture Carriers division.
The event is slated June 17-19 at the historic Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. Registration is currently open and an early registration rate of $325 per person ($575 for non-members) is available until May 3. From May 4 to 31, registration will be $395 per person ($650 for non-members).
Registration includes lunch and a cocktail reception on June 18, as well as a tour of the Joint Base Charleston U.S. military facility. An optional Charleston RiverDogs baseball game outing is planned for the evening of June 18.
Weber is known for helping individuals and organizations unlock new levels of achievement and become relentless in attaining their goals.
“Weber is the only person ever to both host and compete on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior,” said Mike Padjen, executive director of AHFA’s Specialized Furniture Carriers. “He connects with audiences by confronting the challenges, self-doubt and uncertainty that we all face at one time or another. With his humor, storytelling and energy, he empowers individuals to become positive leaders and inspires them to achieve their highest goals.”
Key topics on the June agenda include:
The digital and AI transformation of transportation and logistics. Jake Hoffman, chief technology officer for Gnosis Freight, is among the technology experts presenting on this topic at the 2024 conference. Hoffman has led the Charleston-based Gnosis Freight engineering team since the company’s inception in 2017, bringing a deep understanding of technology and trends in the industry to the company’s technical strategy. In addition to Hoffman’s session on artificial intelligence (AI) and its future in the supply chain, a panel discussion will explore AI’s use in the transportation sector.
The state of the U.S. economy and its impact on the home furnishings industry. With more than 30 years of experience in economic analysis and forecasting, Mark Vitner is the chief economist at Piedmont Crescent Capital, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based boutique consulting firm. He provides strategic insights and guidance to a range of clients on U.S. and regional economic conditions, financial markets and geopolitics. His Logistics Conference presentation will focus on how these forces impact consumers, local economies and housing – all key indicators for the home furnishings industry.
Update on California regulations. California has some of the country’s most ambitious emissions reduction goals, as outlined in the California Air Resources Board’s Scoping Plan, which concludes that an ambitious 25 percent reduction in driving by 2030 is necessary to meet the state’s climate goals. In addition, California’s AB5 independent contractor law has introduced complications for truckers, especially owner-operators. Peter Schneider, president of the Fresno, California-based T.G.S. Logistics, will shed light on the impact of these regulations on the transportation industry.
Industry leader keynote. Among the highlights of the Logistics Conference is the “Industry Leader Keynote.” This year former Samson Marketing president/CEO Kevin O’Connor will fill this important role on the agenda. O’Connor launched Legacy Classic Furniture in 1999, partnering with Samuel Kuo of Samson Holding on a new logistics model that enabled retailers to mix a variety of products and styles on a direct-container basis. The new approach enabled independent stores to affordably source smaller quantities of imported products. He was appointed president and CEO of Samson Marketing, which includes Legacy Classic, Universal Furniture and Craftmaster, in 2006. Prior to launching Legacy, O’Connor was president of Hyundai Furniture in the 1980s and president of Master Design in the mid-1990s. He served as chair of the High Point Market Authority from 2006 to 2012 and was instrumental in reinvigorating High Point’s premarket event.
South Carolina Ports update. South Carolina Ports is the state’s most significant economic asset. Chief Commercial Officer Byron Miller will update attendees on the port’s connectivity to the global marketplace.
AHFA has negotiated a block of discounted rooms at the Francis Marion Hotel for three days before and three days after the conference for attendees who want to plan an extended stay in Charleston. Discounted rooms are $229 per night and are available until May 15 or until the block is sold out. Be sure to secure your room online or call 877-756-2121 and mention AHFA Logistics Conference.