Rolling with the Changes

AS YOU HAVE heard, TIA’s 3PL Technovations Conference scheduled for November in San Antonio has been canceled. There was an enormous amount of preparation that went into the planning for the Technovations conference after having our Annual Conference in Austin postponed in April to August, and then canceled this year as well. The planning was to make Technovations a fully in-person attended event; however, with COVID-19 still present, we worked toward a hybrid event in hopes of having a partially attended event with video conferencing.

As I shared last month, the biggest disappointment of the year for Staff and our members was not to see everyone at the annual conference. Technovations is one of those events that if you have not been there a few times, you do not understand how excited you are the following year to go back again. Folks there are of “like-kind” and it’s a place to make lifelong friendships that last forever (as I have).

This would be the “soft side” of being a TIA Member that becomes an added value that cannot be measured. For the “measurement side,” this becomes a lot easier if you like facts, data, current events, education, resources, training, and extended learning opportunities to grow your company and your career.

There is good news, however, as we’re excited to announce an all new TIA event: The 3PLXTEND Virtual Xperience, taking place November 17-19, 2020!

An entire year of planning for onsite conferences will now be rolled into this three-day event. Cindy, Jessica, Valerie, Roberta, and Chris have spent a tremendous amount of time in planning and attending other virtual conferences to find what works and what does not. We all understand “Zoom Fatigue.”

We also know that your time in front of the computer can be exhausting. We believe that this conference WILL be different from what some have experienced before. We also understand that you are strapped for time. We will even take a poll of attendees and rank the presentations by which ones are must see! Just as we have with the Lunch & Learns Virtual Webinar series, all 3PLXTEND sessions will be available on-demand after the event. As TIA Members have become accustomed to, this will be a conference that we all remember. You will be receiving a few “teasers” very soon about the TIA event of the year!

By now, most of you have received an invoice for your 2021 TIA membership dues. As Rick Halbrooks said at the annual McLeod User Conference in September, “the value of a TIA membership far exceeds the cost.”

In September, we were supposed to have our annual “Walk on the Hill.” Directed by our Vice President of Government Affairs, Chris Burroughs, this is one of the most educational experiences you will ever have if you have not visited the offices of your Senators and Congressmen in Washington, D.C. This year, we went virtual with the 2020 Virtual Policy Forum, which was attended by more than 100 TIA Members.

Do you use a load board to post freight?  Hey, move your loads to the top with the TIA logo showing you are a member of the elite transportation brokers!

Over the years, we have built up a very large information bonanza with the Resource Library with articles on every conceivable transportation subject matter which is available with your membership.

Want a bond that has instant credibility? That would be the TIA bond! Do you need the most current boilerplate contracts for carriers or shippers? The TIA has a resource for that and is adaptable to your specific needs as a broker.

Would you like to offer extended learning opportunities to your employees? We have the Certified Transportation Broker course which is an extensive learning opportunity and a host of other education courses designed to enhance your staff’s expertise.

With your membership, you also have access to TIA Watchdog where your peers input information on carriers that are in the marketplace. With more than 1,700 members and 10,000 contacts, that is a lot of contributors!

This month’s magazine is focused on Human Resources. With the turn of events from March, we can all agree we need some direction there! In addition, you can view this magazine online (3plmagazine.tianet.org) or have it mailed at no cost to you! These two formats are a tremendous resource that are available with all past editions.

One of my greatest joys has been working with all the Staff of TIA. They are some of the most positive people I have ever met in my life. You can feed off their energy. If you are ever having a bad day, call the TIA and you will have someone that can change your attitude with their positive influence. Another great benefit that is included in your dues! 

Until next time,

Doug