Wednesday, October 7, 2020


10:00 AM

OPENING REMARKS: PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Conference Chair:
Nick Gaganiaras
, Executive Managing Director, Colliers International


10:10 AM

DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTICS MARKET UPDATE AND FORECAST

A group of industry leaders and experts representing key sectors of the market will offer their analysis and perspectives of the most significant trends over the past year and provide a state-of-the distribution logistics sector forecast and outlook.

Moderator:
Roberta McPhail
, Director of Corporate Training, APICS Vancouver

Speakers:
John McKenna
, President, McKenna Logistics
Azim Panju, Director, Head of Corporate Strategy & Development, Purolator
John Planeta, Executive Vice President, Global Integrated Logistics, CBRE Limited


10:50 AM

KEYNOTES ADDRESS
THE DIGITAL SUPPLY CHAIN: FROM BEGRUDGINGLY EMBRACING THE 21st CENTURY TO CREATING A RESILIENT DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

Many current supply chain systems are rather inadequate to support today’s complex, global and rapidly changing business environment. Most existing systems are expensive, slow and lack the ability to do what truly matters. Innovation is limited with insufficient levels of flexibility. In short, they are testaments to a different time and place. This session will cover how we got here, why we need to fundamentally change our approach, and what can we do on the near and long term. How can you create a resilient distribution network that can meet customer needs as effectively as possible?

Dr. Elouise Epstein, Vice President, Kearney


11:30 AM

CONCURRENT SESSIONS (Select A1 or A2)

SESSION A1
MAJOR TRENDS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING IN CANADA: WHERE IS THIS HEADING?

The manufacturing sector is a significant contributor to Canada’s revenue, exports and employment, accounting for 10.5% of Canadian GVA and 68% of exports in 2016. The largest sub-sectors are automotive, aerospace and machinery production. However, the sector’s GDP contribution has been steadily declining since 2000. One challenge continues to be its high export dependency, with some 75% of goods directed towards the US. At same time, Canada is a global leader in the transformation of new ideas into advanced products, and technologies that bridge the gap between research and marketplace applications. This session will examine these trends including a joint initiative by Government of Canada and CME (Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters) that has set the goal of doubling the value of manufacturing output by 2030. To achieve this target, the session will discuss five key pillars including expanding access to domestic and foreign markets and building a strong, skilled workforce.

Alan Arcand, Chief Economist, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters


SESSION A2
TRANSITIONS IN VARIOUS RETAIL FULFILLMENT MODELS: CAPACITY, COMPLIANCE AND PROFITABILITY

The current pandemic has accelerated the adoption of eCommerce by consumers virtually out of necessity. The result placed very large and unexpected demands on the fulfillment network. Retailers, 3PLs, warehouse operators, fulfillment houses and delivery networks had to significantly and expeditiously scale up to peak levels while also developing safe ways of working. How is the industry addressing the challenge of finding profitable models and ways of working that can sustain demand and activity in the immediate market conditions and eventually in the longer term?

Moderator:
Marrick McDonald
, President, APICS Toronto 

Speakers:
Carlo Lepore
, Vice President, Business Development North America, DSV
Glenn Nicodemus, Chief Executive Officer, SDR Distribution Services Inc.


12:15 PM

NETWORKING BREAK


12:45 PM

VIRTUAL TOUR:

HOW IS TECHNOLOGY RESHAPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WAREHOUSES INCLUDING THEIR MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS AND COSTS? WHAT WILL BE THEIR UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS?


1:30 PM

ADJOURNMENT