Shipping & Freight News

Day-to-day challenges can make it difficult to connect meaningfully with industry peers. However, for professionals in logistics and transport, networking provides substantial value that is worth making time for. Conferences and industry events such as the Food Shippers of America Conference offer unique opportunities for suppliers, shippers, and service providers to exchange insights and foster relationships that transcend the daily grind.

“You spend two, three days of intense time together, and you get as much from these types of conferences just through the networking,” says Autoscheduler’s Jeff Potts of this year’s FSA Conference. “We all get tired of the Zoom calls…it’s good to actually physically be with other people.”

While the presentations at these events are essential, many professionals find the greatest value in face-to-face networking. Conversations over email, LinkedIn, or virtual meetings like Zoom and Teams have their place, but nothing beats the connection and insights gained from in-person interactions. Being able to engage with peers in a more relaxed setting, away from the time pressures of daily work, provides opportunities to exchange valuable knowledge about how others in the industry are handling challenges and driving innovation.

Networking is particularly crucial for building long-term relationships. It’s one thing to communicate through systems or emails, but another entirely to meet people in person, assess their sincerity, and get a better sense of who they are. Face-to-face interactions provide a deeper level of connection that can lead to more fruitful partnerships. As much as the transport and logistics world has adapted to digital communication, the value of personal interaction remains high.

How is technology shaping the way we communicate and build relationships in the transport field? Join the conversation in the latest episode of the Stay In Your Lane Podcast.

For suppliers, shippers, and others in the industry, these face-to-face meetings provide the much-needed “human touch.” It’s an opportunity to gauge the authenticity of potential partners and to deepen existing business relationships. Professionals can quickly assess whether they’re working with someone they trust, especially in a field that requires strong collaboration.

With the increasing role of technology in the transport industry, new opportunities for human connection are emerging. Platforms are now integrating Google ratings and comments from drivers into logistics planning, helping companies estimate dwell times and adjust pricing accordingly. This real-time data can provide valuable insights into which shippers are more efficient, allowing carriers to optimize routes and schedules more effectively.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) are also reshaping how companies operate. AI offers new opportunities for optimizing logistics processes, from evaluating shipping rates to minimizing detention times at distribution centers.

This new technology will likely push the transport industry forward in the next decade, forcing both shippers and receivers to communicate and evaluate their operational efficiencies. With the ability to track metrics such as dwell time, free time before detention charges, and labor productivity inside warehouses, AI provides clear, actionable data that can drive improvements in both cost management and service quality.

“There are a lot of metrics now out there. You can be much more sophisticated in terms of what should be the price to pick up at a location,” says Potts. “The data is out there and it’s not going away.”

Although the transport industry is becoming more data-driven, the importance of human relationships remains paramount. Networking opportunities continue to provide the platform for these important conversations, while technology serves as a tool to support and optimize the processes that make logistics run smoothly. Combining both personal relationships and technological advancements can help drive the industry into a more efficient and connected future.

Triple T Transport’s 3PL services are designed to optimize communication, streamline operations, and leverage advanced technology to drive efficiency across the supply chain. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of load pricing or optimizing your logistics network, Triple T is here to keep your business moving forward with industry-leading support and communication for all our transport partners.