There is nothing small about the small-shipment industry. In fact, it is estimated that the small-parcel sector is the fastest-growing niche market in the logistics industry, representing roughly a $110 billion market, with more than five billion packages being shipped annually.
 
Logistics have become the backbone of many companies, which is evident by the fact that more than 100,000 US businesses now employ full-time shipping or logistics managers. Whether the business is a traditional brick and mortar or a virtual one, financial success for companies that make their profits via selling and delivering parcel-sized (150 pounds and under) goods is directly tied to their abilities to deliver more product, more efficiently, more frequently and more cost effectively. In today�s environment of surging volumes and rising customer expectations in both the business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets, achieving this is no easy task.
 
Many traditional industries, such as technology, manufacturing, medical, printing and others, have conferences and trade shows in which the industry gathers annually to attend educational conferences and see the latest products and services available on the market. To date, the parcel industry has been without such an event � until now!
 
Parcel Shipping & Distribution Forum, October 21-22, 2003 in Chicago, is that forum. For two days, shipping and logistics professionals from across the US, representing the OEM manufacturing, distributor/wholesale, retail, catalog/direct marketing, printing/publishing, apparel, Web/Internet and other mid- to high-volume parcel shippers, will have an industry event to call their own. The mission of the forum is to provide an educationally driven event that allows logistics professionals from a wide range of industries to discover new and profitable ways to streamline their operations and create more efficient picking, packing and shipping processes.
 
From order entry, picking, packing, compliance labeling, parcel sortation and manifesting shipments to transportation and final delivery, Parcel Shipping & Distribution Forum will cover issues specific to the parcel industry.
 
An expert conference developed by the editors of Parcel Shipping & Distribution will focus on delivering proven, real-world information that shows shipping and logistics professionals how to run and maintain a more efficient operation. Content will be developed along three distinct tracks that highlight each aspect of the small-shipment process: parcel management, parcel operations and warehousing and distribution management.
 
Aside from the conference, Parcel Shipping & Distribution Forum will feature a unique exhibit hall show. Participating companies will showcase a variety of products and services that support the vision of the conference. The goal is to educate attendees on the latest in management and operational advances and allow them to interact with companies that have products and services to apply what they have learned.
 
The forum will also feature a variety of special events such as keynote presentations and case studies that take place throughout the event. In addition, Parcel Shipping & Distribution Forum will introduce the Carrier Roundtable, an interactive forum featuring executives from the leading transportation companies.
 
To request information on attending this ground-breaking event, you can call toll-free 866-378-4991 or visit www.parcelforum.com. If you are interested in exhibiting at this one-of-a-kind forum, please email jdunkel@eventevolution.com.