AHFA Sets Supply Chain Management Conference

June 14, 2010  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on June 15, 2010

The American Home Furnishings Alliance will host its 2010 Supply Chain Management Conference, July 30-31 at the Embassy Suites Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Several key transportation and logistics issues, including reduced container capacity, slower transit times, potential delays caused by new federal regulations and rising costs, are bearing down on manufacturers, just as the industry begins to experience a slight uptick in business; and the conference will focus on managing these supply chain pressures.

While sponsored by the American Home Furnishings Alliance, the conference is open to all companies.

Also open to any interested attendees is the annual meeting of the Specialized Furniture Carriers Association, which will take place on Wednesday, July 28. The 3-6 p.m. program includes several key transportation topics along with an overview of new regulations in the 2010 Comprehensive Safety Analysis from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Linking the two events is an optional golf outing at Arcadia Shores for all attendees on Thursday, July 29, starting at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $79 and includes a cart and box lunch. The Global Supply Chain Conference will open with a 5:30 p.m. reception following the golf outing.

Dave Bennett, vice president of global logistics sales for Schneider Logistics, kicks off the supply chain conference program on July 30 with an overview of top-line issues facing transportation and logistics executives in the home furnishings industry. Schneider Logistics offers comprehensive transportation and global logistics services. Bennett's presentation will include strategic insights and transportation/logistics best practices.

Rob Pisani, partner in the Washington, D.C., firm of Pisani & Roll, will provide attendees with an overview of key compliance issues. Pisani's practice specializes in international trade and customs law, including matters relating to supply chain security. The firm has assisted many clients with customs enforcement proceedings, compliance reviews, Customs Focused Assessments and C-TPAT applications. 

Venetia Huffman, vice president of operations and compliance for CV International, will present "The Practical Side of Compliance" to augment Pisani's overview of key issues. CV International is a privately-owned provider of international transportation and logistics services and has helped clients of various sizes achieve importer security filing compliance and C-TPAT certification.

Also slated to speak is Chris Norek, CEO of Chain Connectors, a professional supply chain strategy and implementation service based in Atlanta. Norek has more than 15 years of supply chain and logistics experience in industry, consulting and academia across several industries, including retail, consumer products, industrial products and Internet business fulfillment. Prior to forming Chain Connectors, he worked as an area planner for Kimberly-Clark Corporation, as worldwide materials planning analyst for Apple computer and as internal logistics consultant for Office Depot.

Rounding out the agenda is Donavon Favre, an assistant professor at North Carolina State University, College of Management. Favre spent 13 years at the global consulting firm of Accenture/Andersen Consulting, where he worked on supply chain projects for clients in more than 40 states and seven countries. These projects spanned a wide variety of industries including beverages, glass, technology, finance, energy and education.

In addition to these presentations, the Global Supply Chain Conference agenda includes three panel discussions. Topics include retail issues, specialized furniture carrier issues and white glove delivery services.

Registration for individuals from AHFA member companies is $395; $345 for the second and any additional registrants from the same company. Non-member registration is $545. Additional registrants from the same non-member company pay $495 each.

For the first time, AHFA is offering a price break for individuals who have never attended the Supply Chain Conference. First-time attendees from AHFA member companies pay $345; first-time attendees from non-member companies pay $495.

Hotel accommodations should be made directly with the Embassy Suites Kingston Plantation by calling 800.876.0010 and referencing the AHFA meeting to receive reduced room rates. Meeting registration is available online under EVENTS.