Robert B.Tucker, President of the Innovation Resource and internationally recognized leader in the field of innovation, will keynote the 123^rd International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) and World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) Convention & Expo, to be held April 26 - 30, 2014, in San Diego, California at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

“Continuous Improvement” is the theme for the annual event, which is the world’s largest public refrigerated warehousing and logistics event and regularly attracts 700 attendees from around the world.

Continuous improvement has been a year-long theme for IARW and WFLO and the focus will continue at the convention with Tucker’s opening keynote address, which will focus on what works – and what doesn’t – when it comes to innovation. He’ll also focus on how companies can improve top and bottom line performance via systematic innovation.

“Innovation is one of the most misunderstood words in the English language. Innovation is not just for researchers and scientists. Innovation must be everyone’s business,” Tucker champions.

Formerly an adjunct professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, Tucker has been a consultant and keynote speaker since 1986. His pioneering research in interviewing over 50 leading innovators was published in the book Winning the Innovation Game in 1986. Since then, he has continued to publish widely on the subject, including his international bestseller Managing the Future: 10 Driving Forces of Change for the New Century, which has been translated into 13 languages. In his most recent book, Driving Growth Through Innovation, he describes the emerging best practices of 23 innovation vanguard companies.

With our theme of continuous improvement, Robert B. Tucker will be the perfect opening keynote speaker,” said Corey Rosenbusch, President and COO of IARW and WFLO, Core Partners of the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA). “As one of the thought leaders in the innovation movement, Robert’s insights will be valuable to convention and expo attendees who are seeking to use innovation as a best practice.”

The continuous improvement theme is also integrated into education programs throughout the convention, many of which will be led by senior level refrigerated warehouse operators. Topics include:

• Business and Market Development: Develop strategies for developing and expanding your business domestically and internationally.
• Liability and Risk Management: Protect your company and get the latest in warehouse law, risk management, liabilities, and regulatory changes.
• Operations Management: Improve productivity and your bottom line with the latest trends and tips in operational management.
• Human Resources: Apply best practices, emerging trends, and the techniques regarding human resources and talent management.

To register or learn more, please click here.