2017 is shaping up to be our best year yet! It’s been four years since Glenn Master and I sat down and blue-skyed a new organization that would connect LP, Security, and Protection professionals working across all areas of the supply chain—from manufacturing and transportation to retail, logistics and legal. We saw that our industry didn’t have links between the sectors that matched the flow of goods and services. So, we envisioned an entity that connected people working in the supply chain so that the movement of goods is more reliable, efficient, and transparent. Why is that important? So the companies working within these sectors could mitigate risk, control supply channels and costs, and maintain high industry standards.
With this mandate, we’re so proud of what our organization has accomplished. To date, we have three national conferences under our belt, 800+ LinkedIn Group members, certification and vendor programs, 100+ members, and an active board and three committees full of industry leaders.
We started the ISCPO on a grassroots level and we continue to shape the industry and create a community solely powered by volunteer involvement. On behalf of myself and Vice-Chairman Byron Smith, we would like to thank all of our members for their support and we extend a special thank you to our past and present board and committee members who graciously contribute their time and knowledge to drive much-needed innovation, collaboration, and standards within the industry.
With so much happening here at the ISCPO, I thought you’d want to hear about our latest news, programs, and events:
2017 Conference
First up, I’m pleased to announce details of this year’s conference. Mark your calendars to make it to Dallas, TX on September 12-13th where you’ll hear from industry veterans, network and catch up with industry colleagues, and learn the latest trends and best practices. More details will be announced shortly at ISCPO.org but I wanted to share one speaker we’re really excited about: Eric Davis Fernald, Director of Global Security for Nestles will be presenting Nestles Journey to Security/Safety (Security in Sheep’s Clothing). As always, we have a limited number of exclusive, vendor sponsorship packages available (drop me a line to learn more: info@ISCPO.org).
Board Updates
We’ve got some new faces on our Board to help us take the ISCPO to the next level. Please welcome Maurizio Scrofani (ALTO US) and Scott Cornell (Travelers) as our newest members of the Board. Their knowledge in the industry will immensely benefit ISCPO and its membership.
A New Organization Identity, Web Site, and Newsletter
As we all know, the speed of business, especially ours, is moving at an exponential rate. As professionals tasked with protecting and securing goods and services within the supply chain, we need to stay ahead of the curve, to anticipate disruption, and to prevent loss. With that in mind, we’ve evolved our organizational identity and marketing channels. A new logo depicts the global flow and we’ve chosen dark blue to signify protection. Check out our refreshed website at ISCPO.org and be sure to subscribe to our Quarterly Newsletter. This year, we’ll be actively increasing our membership base via targeted marketing efforts, partnerships, and social media (previously known as word-of-mouth). If you know of anyone who’d benefit from being a member, please let them know about all our Member benefits.
New ISCPO Programs
I’d like to thank our Carrier Certification Audit Committee for all their work in developing a ground-breaking initiative for maintaining cargo protection standards, the ISCPO Carrier Audit & Certification Program. Special thanks to Wes Bank of DHL who has been the point person on the Carrier Audit Committee from its inception. He’s stepping down this year but will continue to serve on the committee. Please join me in welcoming Gary Hutchinson (Gap) who’ll serve as Committee Chair and Lauren Hagedorn (Abercrombie) as Vice-Chair. Congrats to recently certified carriers USPack Logistics and Innovative Courier Solutions. If you’re a cargo company, learn how you can get certified here.
Another program we’ve launched is our Preferred Vendor Partner Program. It gives vendors the opportunity to highlight their best-in-breed tools, technology, and services to our membership and industry network. You’ll get exclusive brand and content integration on our website and newsletter plus a discounted conference sponsorship. It’s a great way to show your support of the ISCPO and to reach a targeted audience with the potential of using your goods and services.
The ISCPO is primarily a professional networking organization so let’s keep the conversation going leading up to the conference. Be sure to:
- Tell an industry colleague to subscribe to our newsletter.
- Follow our new LinkedIn Corporate page and/or LinkedIn Group.
- Become a member today. If you aren’t a member, it pays to become one. Your nominal $125 investment not only supports the important work that the ISCPO does at an industry level, it gives you access to a community of industry thought-leaders, conference discounts, and a range of tools that will help you advance your company, and your role in it.
See you at the conference!
Rod Fulenwider
Chairman, ISCPO