The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently sponsored the 5th annual Global Supply Chain Summit, titled “Building Tomorrow's Networks Today,” which brought industry and government officials together during National Infrastructure Week to highlight supply chain infrastructure updates.
Addressing aspects such as newer technology and security needs, keynote speakers and panelists at the Washington, D.C., event analyzed industry patterns and considered strategies for enhancing market accessibility via trade channels – opening the door to global opportunities for small and medium businesses, for example – as well as considering the potential impact of drones on supply chain logistics.
“Technology is constantly changing the face of global supply chains,” Ann Beauchesne, senior vice president for national security and emergency preparedness at the U.S. chamber, said in a chamber release. “Just last year, our summit discussed the hypothetical future of drone delivery, and now we’re seeing companies make it a reality.”
Tom Donohue, the chamber’s president and CEO, said supply chains are critical to every business in the nation.
“Without the supply chain, American businesses wouldn’t be able to get the materials they need to produce affordable, quality products for consumers and grow our economy,” Donohue said in the release, adding that streamlining the export sector can help firms access a host of international consumers.
Also attending the summit were Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Homeland Security Committee U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee; U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan; and UPS Chief Information and Engineering Officer Juan Perez.
“With the pace of change in technology, trade, logistics, and even infrastructure, it’s more important than ever for businesses to stay ahead of the curve and ensure that our supply chains are competitive in the global economy,” Beauchesne said in the release.
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