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April 16-18, 2013. This was an event for senior-level military and industry leaders in sustainment, maintenance, repair, and overhaul. Aviation Week MRO Americas and MRO Military claimed to understand that travel budgets are tight and growing tighter. The priority was to deliver the most up-to-date and accurate information to an aviation audience. They condensed the MRO military program, usually two days, into one consolidated day of information, analysis, and program updates to deliver the best value for money. Briefings covered: GFY 2013 and 2014 budget reviews and their impact to MRO business, global defense sustainment market forecasts, industry perspectives on sustainment and sequestration, how emerging innovations can drive greater defense affordability, and how industry can help DoD deploy performance-based sustainment strategies. Is “sustainment” actually a word?
March 26-28, 2013. SITL in Paris was all about logistics solutions. The show brought together all the products and innovative services dedicated to the supply, distribution and the supply chain of tomorrow for the benefit of the goods transportation and logistics services community. The expo offering was completed by Intralogistics, the exhibition for handling equipment in manufacturing and distribution held concurrently with SITL, and bringing together all handling equipment and automated systems which process and rationalize the physical movements of supply, production and distribution. In total, 25,000 delegates poured through the doors. Transport Intelligence published a unique new report on the European e-commerce market, which provided a comprehensive overview of the size of the market, recent trends and developments and profiles of key logistics providers and post offices that provide e-commerce services, as well as the supply chain operations of major retailers. People seemed, well… transported…
March 21-23, 2013. MATS is the Mid-America Trucking Show, and it’s for all them drivin’ fools that pull 18 wheels or similar. This is more than just a tradeshow. It is the annual forum and celebration for the heavy-duty trucking industry, providing face-to-face interaction between industry representatives and trucking professionals. Attendees are “driven” to MATS because they can efficiently research the latest products and services to provide their business with a competitive edge. Exhibitors participate in MATS to effectively introduce new offerings, increase brand awareness, promote products and connect with suppliers, customers, and prospects. It’s common knowledge that if you want to conduct business in the trucking industry, you have to be at MATS. It’s not just about raw power, outsized tires, flame-out paint-jobs and chrome, y’know. This here is a serious bidness, youse truckers…! I’m tellin’ ya…!
March 4-7, 2013. Heli Expo is short for the Helicopter Association International Show. This year it hosted 60 helicopters, 736 exhibitors, and 20,393 attendees, making it once again the world’s largest helicopter trade show and exposition. Early this year the association hosted an industry forum at which senior FAA representatives addressed members’ questions about the regulations and oversight requirements for public-aircraft operations. The forum also included a presentation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Helicopters can make quite a noise, so staying in good standing with the neighbors is important. It was therefore good to hear that “The most important benefit of responding to a citizen complaint is the opportunity to assure the community that helicopter operators hear their concerns, and are reducing noise impacts when possible. HAI’s Fly Neighborly Program helps reduce noise impacts to the community and provides the cornerstone for an effective noise management program”. Shhhhhhhhh!
March 3-6, 2013. TCA is the Truckload Carriers Association, dedicating itself to operational efficiency, industry awareness, public policy, recruitment and retention – some common issues for an uncommon industry. TCA is apparently the only national trade association whose sole focus is the truckload segment of the motor carrier industry. The association represents dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, intermodal container, and end-dump carriers operating in the 48 contiguous states, as well as Alaska, Mexico, and Canada. The challenges faced by truckload demand solutions, we heard, are tackled from a unique perspective. TCA has a long history that includes several name changes throughout the years. The organization has its origins in two separate groups: the Contract Carrier Conference (founded 1938) and the Common Carrier Conference – Irregular Route (founded 1941). In 1983, these groups merged to become the Interstate Carriers Conference, which changed its name to Interstate Truckload Carriers Conference in 1988. Names by the truckload…!
February 7-9, 2013. MACS is the Mobile Air Conditioning Society, and they apparently wanted their show to be the Best of the Best. Whether you were a rookie or a veteran, professionals who make a living from servicing and repairing or selling parts for mobile A/C and engine cooling systems in all types of vehicles needed to attend. Attendees could learn from “the best of best” about service and repair of mobile A/C and engine cooling systems, new refrigerants, new technology and regulations. They had the chance to meet with all the most important vendors in the industry, the opportunity to hear from NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace, and meet drag race legend Don Garlits. MACS is the leading non-profit trade association for the mobile air conditioning, heating and engine cooling system segment of the automotive aftermarket. It represents a growing membership in North America and 47 countries around the world. Hey Kenny, do you have the A/C going when you’re drag-racing? I thought not…
Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2012. The NBAA is the National Business Aviation Association. The key operators and industry leaders met in Orlando to conduct business, make buying decisions and set the stage for business aviation activity for the year ahead. While companies that rely on business aviation represent many different professions and locations, they all have one thing in common, we heard: the need for fast, flexible, safe, secure and cost-effective access to destinations across the country and around the world. There seem to be real advantages. Business aircraft allow employees to make a trip involving stops at several locations, then return to headquarters the same day. Savings can be made on hotel rooms, rental cars, meals and other expenses that would be needed to make the same trip over several days via auto, train or airline transport. A recent study suggested that small and medium companies in America using business aviation consistently outperformed nonusers. The advantage seems “plane”…
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