The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), the leading trade association of third-party logistics (3PL) companies, has announced that former Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, the longest-serving secretary in the history

of the U.S. Department of Transportation, will be the keynote speaker at the association’s 29th Annual Convention and Trade Show, scheduled April 19-21 at the Royal Pacific Hotel in Orlando.
A senior-level meeting concentrating on the 3PL industry, the TIA convention explores prevalent challenges and opportunities in the industry. Through educational seminars and networking activities, attendees will learn new and better ways of expanding their services and improving the bottom line.
“It is an honor to have Secretary Mineta, with his extraordinary experience and distinguished track record of success, address our attendees,” said Robert Voltmann, TIA’s president and CEO. “Secretary Mineta has a perspective on where we have been and where we are going that is second to none.”
Key topics that will be addressed in plenary and educational sessions during the conference include:
• Carrier Qualification and Marketing in the Age of Litigation. Delving into the latest rules of engagement in the context of TIA-developed guidelines for qualifying carriers and for marketing services.
• What Customers Want. A forum for shippers to share their ideas and concerns about selecting and working with 3PLs.
• Lead Generation And Prospect Evaluation (Fundamental). Successful techniques for finding and helping customers, developing a niche and growing sales.
• Financial Management Tools for Modern 3PLs (Advanced). Learn how to utilize financial management tools to reduce costs and increase profits.
• Going International (Expansion). Carve out a niche specializing in a particular 3PL service, become a one-stop shop by offering many or all services under one roof, or network with other specialists to meet customers needs.
• How to Win with Employees (Universal). Recruiting techniques and ways successful 3PLs are finding good employees and reducing turnover.
TIA uniquely serves the industry through educational opportunities like the annual convention and its on-line Third Party Logistics University. For more information about TIA, contact (703) 299-5700 or info@tianet.org, or visit www.tianet.org.