TORONTO, Ont. — CITA and its partners, Truck News sister publication Canadian Transportation & Logistics and the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association, are gearing up once again for the Transpo 2008 conference and exhibition. The event will be held at the Toronto Congress Centre March 26-27.

Globalization, volatile fuel prices, the high Canadian dollar, congestion, border security, environmental pressures, and government actions are just some of the supply chain challenges faced by Canadian companies that will be discussed.

At Transpo 2008, expert panellists will address these issues under the theme, “Global Trade: Is Canada Competitive?” Within this theme, panels will address congestion, capacity and infrastructure; human resources and skills shortages; environmental issues; security (panel organized by CIFFA); and public policy.

In addition there will be a session reporting on the CITA 2007 Benchmarking Survey and the Canadian Transportation & Logistics Buying Trends Survey. These surveys also measure how shippers view their competitive position.

In keeping with the theme, the luncheon speaker on March 26 will be Andrea Mandel-Campbell, author of “Why Mexicans Don’t Drink Molson,” a book on Canadian competitiveness. On March 27, the luncheon speaker will be Mark Ruel, cargo manager of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, who will comment on the role of Canada’s largest airport in keeping Canada competitive.

The annual banquet, at which the Supply Chain Executive of the Year award will be presented, is shaping up to be a highlight of the event, according to organizers.

Interested parties can register online HERE. The deadline for registration is March 1.