Registration starts at 1PM Saturday afternoon so you can get all your ducks in a row and enjoy the rest of the weekend without worry!

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Welcome to Topgolf – the premier entertainment destination in Nashville. And by entertainment destination, we’re talking about a place where you can come for birthday parties, bachelor or bachelorette parties, corporate events, date nights, or just a night out with friends, and everyone will have a great time.

No matter the occasion or who you share it with, we believe that every great time starts with play, is fueled by food and drinks, moved by music and all made possible through community.

There’s no pressure to have a good golf swing or score a lot of points. It’s all about everyone having fun.

Here at Topgolf, we’ve made socializing a sport through a blend of technology and entertainment – and that’s just the game! If you journey through our venue on any given day, you’ll find a place buzzing with energy. Every Topgolf features dozens of climate-controlled hitting bays for year-round comfort with HDTVs in every bay and throughout our sports bar & restaurant.

When it comes to our eats, we know that amazing food and beverage is at the heart of any great social gathering. We take it pretty seriously. That’s why at our Topgolf Nashville restaurant, you will find an accomplished Executive Chef and experienced team, using high-quality ingredients to deliver a fresh twist on familiar favorites. The way we see it, we’re not just a place to play, we’re one of the best places to eat in the Nashville, TN area.

If you’re looking for things to do in Nashville, there are plenty of places to go to – but if you’re looking for something to truly experience, look no further than Topgolf.

Beverage sponsor:

Head over to pick up your registration materials if you haven’t already done so!

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Topic: How Companies Have Successfully Reduced Their Carbon Footprint

Moderators: Sandy Gregory, Flexport; Sasha Goodman, Rock-It Cargo
Speakers: Susy Schöneberg, Flexport; Teresa Ehman, Air Canada Cargo

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Our Grand Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall gives all attendees a chance to meet with friends, business partners, and customers, as well as promoting the opportunity to meet with prospective customers.

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Head over to pick up your registration materials if you haven’t already done so!

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Be sure to take the opportunity to have a great breakfast with our exhibitors before making your way into the Keynote Address immediately following the meal.

The leadership of our three co-presenting associations will be on hand to introduce themselves, thank you for attending AirCargo 2020 and share with you last minute items about what is in store for your time at the conference.

NASA Kennedy Space Center Gateway Logistics Element Manager, Mark Wiese is the AirCargo Conference Monday Keynote Speaker!

Meet our Keynote Speaker:

Mark Wiese, NASA Kennedy Space Center Gateway Logistics Element Manager, will unpack the Agency’s plan for the commercial supply chain in deep space that will enable an interplanetary economy and support the Artemis lunar exploration plan. Mark is an aerospace expert that manages the logistics element for NASA’s Gateway program.

“AirCargo 2020 is a new and exciting opportunity to communicate the trajectory of NASA’s effort to spur the space economy with a first step of developing the commercial supply chain for deep space. Private industry is vital to fuel ideas and innovation as the backbone of NASA’s Artemis and Mars exploration missions.” – Mark Wiese

• Gateway Logistics Element is integral to Gateway, a small spaceship in orbit around the Moon that helps enable us to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface by 2024. Kennedy Space Center is the home for the Gateway Logistics Element, leading NASA’s commercial supply chain in deep space.  Fly | Supply | Explore
• Mark manages the logistics element for NASA’s Gateway program. In this role, he provides project management expertise and strategic vision for commercial spacecraft, launch vehicles and integration services to advance the agency’s Gateway lunar orbiting platform of complex systems, utilization payloads, and research and development technologies. He oversees the design, development, test and evaluation of the spacecraft along with the program’s integration of commercial logistics missions to the Gateway.

• View Mark’s complete bio here!
• Click here for more information on NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program.
• Click here for more information on NASA’s Gateway.

The AirCargo 2020 keynote is jointly sponsored by the AfA, AEMCA, and ACI-North America.

Keynote Session proudly sponsored by:

After a great breakfast and keynote, join your fellow attendees before your Association meetings begin at 10:30.

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Meet with your respective associations to discuss matters of importance.

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Join us for the annual Airforwarders Association Membership Meeting!

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Meet with your respective associations to discuss matters of importance.

After productive Association meetings, we hope you’ll join us and your fellow attendees in the Exhibition Hall for a buffet lunch. Be sure to stop by exhibitor booths and drop a business card for one of the many great prizes that will be drawn on Tuesday.

Lunch proudly sponsored by:

Moderators: Dave Hockersmith, CEO Trans-Soft, Inc.; Rick Bridges, VP Client Development at Roanoke Trade

Speaker:Chris McMillin, VP of Information Systems, AIT Worldwide Logistics, Inc.; David Deering, CEO, LEO Cyber Security; Chris Silvers, President, CG Silvers Consulting; Steve Pacheco, Head of US Cyber and Technology, Munich Re Specialty Group Insurance Services

Join us for an informal round robin style fireside chat! Cyber and business process risks have become the biggest new threat to companies large and small.  This panel of experts will discuss the exposures and propose Best Practices and solutions to reduce the threats and minimize risks.

View Rick’s bio here.

Moderator: Sandy Gregory

Speaker: Dave Brennan, IATA

The transportation of lithium batteries remains a hot topic and safety concerns remain high on the cargo agenda. Despite requirements in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and 49 CFR, the industry needs to remain vigilant as undeclared and therefore non-compliant dangerous goods shipments continue to find their way into supply chains.

The growth of e-commerce is also showing an increase in lithium batteries in which e-commerce sellers utilize international air cargo and airmail to get their products to their customers. However, is enough effort being put into ensuring that all parties in the process are aware of the restrictions on dangerous goods to ensure that dangerous goods do not enter the cargo and mail steam?

The session will look at the roles and responsibilities of the different entities in the supply chain in the classification, packing, acceptance and handling of lithium batteries and equipment packed with or containing lithium batteries. The webinar will also provide information on initiatives under consideration at the United Nations Subcommittee to develop a hazard-based classification system for lithium batteries as well as US DOT initiatives with industry.

Get some valuable face time with our exhibitors between our sessions this afternoon while you get that afternoon jolt of caffeine and sugar to make it through the rest of the day.

Moderator: Brandon Fried

Panelists:

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Speakers: Rick Bridges, VP, Client Development Roanoke Trade; Robert Ernest, Partner Arent Fox, LLP Boston;

Want to learn more about cargo insurance?  What happens if a shipment is lost or damage? Isn’t the carrier responsible?  Can risks be transferred?  Find out all of that and more!

With the first full day of sessions and learning under our belts, it’s time to chill out and relax with our friends at Air Cargo 2020! Join us at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum! Explore the music, people and songs that made country music the quintessential American sound.

Photo Courtesy of Country Music Hall of Fame website

Monday evening’s event proudly sponsored by:

Head over to pick up your registration materials if you haven’t already done so!

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As we get ready for our second full day of sessions and conference activities, be sure to get started with a delicious breakfast with our exhibitors.

Freightwaves Founder and CEO, Craig Fuller is our Tuesday Keynote Speaker!

Meet our Keynote Speaker:

Craig Fuller is CEO and Founder of FreightWaves, the only freight-focused organization that delivers a complete and comprehensive view of the freight and logistics market. FreightWaves’ news, content, market data, insights, analytics, innovative engagement and risk management tools are unprecedented and unmatched in the industry. Prior to founding FreightWaves, Fuller was the founder and CEO of TransCard, a fleet payment processor that was sold to US Bank. He also is a trucking industry veteran, having founded and managed the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress Enterprises, the largest provider of on-demand trucking services in North America.

Topic: The Future of Freight

The freight industry is undergoing a rapid transformation – digital brokers, autonomous trucks, increasingly fast data, and many other inputs. Venture capital into FreightTech has grown from $100m in 2014 to over $3b in 2018.  With improved technology improving communication, safety, speed, and efficiency, the future holds a vast number of possibilities. Given his lifelong experience in freight, FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller will provide unique insights into where the industry is headed and what you should know to stay ahead of the game.

Enjoy a short break while we make a few adjustments. Use the time to strike up a conversation and make some new friends!

Speakers: John Beckius, Thomas Friedman

Moderator: Brandon Fried

An “Account Consignor” is an international shipper whose cargo can be positively identified for carriage exclusively on all-cargo aircraft but as of June 2021, a new policy will alleviate this program, requiring 100% security direction. We will have a team of experts addressing this requirement so that you can be prepared for what lies ahead.

Take a break with our exhibitors! Be sure to use this time have some of those meetings before our 11:00 AM panels kick off. It’s one of your last chances to drop your business card for drawings as well!

Speaker: Hank Seaton, Esq.

The Biggest Challenges Facing Trucking Companies Today: Regulations. From hours-of-service to E-log devices to fuel emission requirements, government rules dictate almost everything about operating a truck. Driver Retention. Safety. Infrastructure. Find out what is on the horizon and how you can prepare.

Speakers: Steve Polmans, Director Cargo & Logistics Business Development, Brussels Airport Company; Joshua Wolf, CEO, CargoSprint; Alex Driesen, Co-Entrepreneur, Nallian

Moderator: Mammen Tharakan, Director, E-Commerce, Cargo and Aviation Real Estate, Edmonton International Airport

As cargo volumes at airports grow, larger gateways and even smaller cargo airports are facing congestion mitigation issues such as aircraft parking allocation and truck queuing.  At the same time, efficiency of operations and technology solutions are constantly on the mind of logistics managers.  This panel features stakeholders that are implementing innovation at airports to help airlines, handlers, forwarders, and truckers breathe a little easier. They will break down how they do it and where their strategies are leading to measured benefit throughout the air cargo industry.

Join us for lunch! This will also be your last chance to drop business cards for the drawings which will begin promptly and winners must be present to win.

Proudly sponsored by:

Moderator: Brandon Fried

Speaker: Dale Weiss

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Bad news travels at the speed of light in the age of social media and citizen journalists. Is your company ready for your first – or next – crisis?

Every company should be ready for the inevitable public relations issue that can damage its brand and reputation. This session will discuss how you should respond and how you should not. We will also provide tips on monitoring and reacting to social media posts as well as potentially harmful media coverage. With a crisis plan in place, you will save your company time, confusion, and stress to drive necessary change and improvement to your working methods by being ready to respond effectively.

Our speaker, CommCore Consulting Group’s Senior Vice President Dale Weiss says, “There is no shortcut for preparation. The best way for an organization to emerge from a crisis with its reputation intact is to plan, practice, and pursue a tactical approach to the inevitable crisis.”

This session is a must-attend for anyone who has responsibility for a rapid response when their company is thrust into the harsh lights of a negative press or social situation.

As we say farewell to AirCargo 2020 and look ahead to next year, enjoy our farewell event! Join us at Ole Red and wear your western finery! Do you have a pair of cowboy boots that you’re dying to break in? Have you always wanted to wander into a saloon wearing a Stetson? Bring your best fringe, denim and belt buckles to celebrate the end of our time together!

Ole Red gets its name from Blake Shelton’s breakout hit, “Ol’ Red”, and being here is a lot like hanging out with the guy himself: laid-back and genuine, up for anything, a bit irreverent (but always fun)—and set to great music. No matter how you do Ole Red, you can expect an edge-of-your seat good time! Yee-haw!

Tuesday Night’s Closing Event Proudly Sponsored By: