August 11, 2015
By Thressea Boyd, as published in Savannah CEO
Georgia’s Center of Innovation for Logistics and HunterMaclean Attorneys will host the inaugural Savannah Logistic Lunch on Aug. 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Savannah Airport.
The lunch presentation will feature a panel discussion focused on growth opportunities of cold chain and perishable sectors in the Coastal Georgia region, as well as a transportation update from Jay Roberts, Governor Deal’s recently appointed planning director at the Georgia Department of Transportation. Highlights of the 2015 Georgia Logistics Summit, which was held in Atlanta this spring, will also be presented.
Panelists include Ross Maple, director of business strategy for Nordic Logistics and Warehousing; Chris Logan, senior director of trade development for Georgia Ports Authority; Lee Woodham, president of FreshPoint Atlanta; and Bo Warren, director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Agribusiness. The panel will be moderated by HunterMaclean logistics attorney Colin McRae.
“The Georgia Logistics Summit is a must-attend event for many logistics professionals in Georgia, including HunterMaclean” said McRae. “We saw an opportunity to bring that experience to Savannah with presentations that specifically address the logistics industry in Coastal Georgia, and are excited to partner with the Center of Innovation for Logistics to make that possible.”
Jannine Miller, director of the Center of Innovation for Logistics, said the topic of cold chain and perishables is a key subject for Georgia’s logistic industry.
“Perishables are important to Georgia because of how strong our agribusiness is in the state,” said Miller. “We are the world’s largest exporter of poultry goods. With poultry and other agribusiness products—fruits and vegetables—there are approximately 1,200 refrigerated containers that are going out of the Port of Savannah every week.”
She further explained that the Port of Savannah provides an efficient system that is not available at all ports. The Port of Savannah can export more than 2,000 refrigerated racks (blocks) of perishables a week, which is far more than any other port on the east coast.
“Perishables remain a focus for us in improving Georgia’s trade balance. We want to bring more imports of perishables into the Port of Savannah,” said Miller. “The logistics lunch focuses discussion on the opportunities that growth in this industry can provide to the Savannah logistics service providers.”
The Savannah Logistics Lunch is open to the public; however, advanced reservations are required, and seating is limited. The cost is $15 per person and registration is available online at http://bit.ly/LogisticsLunch.
Note: As of 8/11/15 the event is sold out. A waiting list is available by emailing the Center of Innovation for Logistics.
