With a pledge to help operations people work “smarter, better, and faster,” the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) conducted its annual Distribution Solutions Conference (DSC) October 26–28, 2015, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix AZ.
From technologies to material handling equipment to solving people problems, the DSC provided insights and resources for improving warehouse and transportation operations. In keeping with its promise, IFDA tightened this year’s conference schedule, put a laser focus on content, and provided a positive learning experience.
Adrian Gostick, author of the best-selling book The Carrot Principle, delivered the general session speech entitled “All In: How Great Leaders Develop a Culture of Belief and Deliver Big Results.”
Another general session speaker was Yael Grushka-Cockayne, assistant professor at Darden School of Business, handling the topic “Strategic Problem-Solving and Critical Engagement.”
Throughout the conference were interspersed numeous concurrent workshops. Crucial industry subjects included in these sessions included the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), onboard technology, passing an OSHA inspection, and crash avoidance. Other topics also examined were the Sanitary Food Transportation Act, driver safety incentive programs, the GS1 foodservice initiative, and a special “Bootcamp Idea Exchange: Warehouse Edition.”
As a special offering, NFL football Hall-of-Famer and television network game analyst Terry Bradshaw shared his thoughts on the subject “Why Not Your Best?”
With a theme of “Innovation. Collaboration. Execution,” the closing general session was presented by John Wee and Owen Morse, aka The Passing Zone.
A post-conference tour of the Shamrock Foods Arizona facility was available to any and all attendees. To learn more, access www.ifdaonline.org. ♦
