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KC SmartPort Leads Discussion on Future of Global Supply Chains

by Mary Rooney | Apr 13, 2022

 

KC SmartPort’s 2022 Annual Industry Briefing: KC Delivers, showcased an expert panel of leaders from Port of Los Angeles, Urban Outfitters and Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co. The panel addressed a crowd of more than 650 logistics, real estate and economic development professionals on April 13 in Kansas City.

The event offered insight on current challenges and future opportunities within the global supply chain and how the Kansas City region delivers as a strategic logistics hub.

“As the global supply chain continues to evolve and grow, the Kansas City region has seen an increased demand for industrial space. KC has the infrastructure, location and workforce to quickly respond to this increased demand and optimize global supply chains from the heartland,”said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. “We have seen multiple years of record industrial development, and we expect this trend to continue in 2022. In 2021, the Kansas City region surpassed the 300 million-sq.-ft. total industrial footprint milestone, joining only 15 other U.S. markets with that level of space.”

Eugene Seroka, the executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, was the keynote for the event and provided an update on global shipping trends. As head of the busiest container port in North America, Seroka is responsible for managing a more than $1.7 billion budget, advancing major capital projects, growing trade volumes and promoting innovative, sustainable practices. 

“Global shipping disruptions just prior to and since the onset of COVID-19 have exposed America’s need for a more agile, modern and efficient supply chain,” said Seroka. “The development of interconnected ‘port community systems’ at major U.S. ports could help trade-dependent American businesses and their service providers more effectively plan, track and adjust their cargo flows. Moreover, digitalization of our national supply chain can produce higher levels of certainty, reliability and success for American companies engaged in global trade.”

Additional panelists included Tom Moonan, regional director, URBN, who leads the Urban Outfitters Kansas City operations and furniture supply chain, and Michelle Comerford, project director / industrial & supply chain practice leader, Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co., who develops corporate location strategies and executes site selection projects for manufacturing and distribution clients.

These experts discussed a number of topics, including the future of logistics infrastructure, supply chain’s impact on site selection, workforce challenges, and how Kansas City’s location and assets will continue to provide a strategic advantage.

2022 Sponsors

The support and partnership of our sponsors made this year’s event a success.

A special thank you to our Marquee sponsors.

BNSF Logo

BNSF is a critical link that connects consumers with the global marketplace. For 170 years, BNSF has played a vital role in building and sustaining this nation's economy.

Cloud-Inventory-Logo-PRIMARY1_TM_April2021

Cloud Inventory and mobile-first applications empower organizations with real-time inventory visibility at all points in the supply chain, from the warehouse to the field. Cloud Inventory’s global team has the supply chain knowledge and mobile-first development expertise to deliver solutions that solve today’s business challenges.

ElevateEdgerton.Logo.FINAL

The community of Edgerton, Kansas, has rapidly emerged as a primary conduit to the global supply chain. ElevateEdgerton! is a public-private economic development partnership dedicated to advocating awareness of the pro-business attitude that “elevated” a small town on the southwest corner of Kansas City metro to a major player in the commercial development scene.

View all KC SmartPort Annual Industry Briefing Sponsors

 

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