Learn to optimize profits in your operation by utilizing advanced technologies and data-driven strategies. Discover efficient route optimization, streamlined inventory management, and real-time tracking to maximize resource utilization and minimize delays.

Kick off your Route Consultant Expo experience with an orientation to the logistics landscape. We’ll cover types of routes, due diligence, and how to make the most of the Route Consultant Expo experience.

If you're in business long enough, it's not a question about if you'll cross these HR topics, it's when. Come to a session lead by Route Consultant's Director of HR to discuss the risky areas of lawsuits including workplace discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination claims, handling job-related injuries including light duty assignments and ongoing workers comp claims, relationships within the company, getting ahead of unemployment claims, when state laws compete with FedEx and DOL laws... and more! This is a can't miss session to kick off the Route Consultant Expo and will show you why this is THE learning event of the year.

In August 2022, the Government Accountability Office published a report finding that only 7% of eligible businesses have claimed COVID related government stimulus, including the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). Shortly thereafter, the IRS began issuing warnings of “promoters” charging large fees for oftentimes misleading advice on this tax credit. Learn about some of the popular misconceptions regarding ERCs and why they exist, what a supportable ERC file includes, how to identify potentially unsupportable filings, and what steps should be taken to remediate improper claims.

Running a logistics business is often a family affair. Spouses often support or run entire pieces of the business operation while simultaneously juggling the home front. Join Carli Patton, the spouse of an entrepreneur and logistics professional, to talk about managing logistics entrepreneurship and family at the same time.

One of the biggest values of linehaul operations is the ability to appreciate material equity in the business by strategically acquiring new runs. Hear from an expert panel of seasoned contractors who have found great success in the linehaul space to learn what strategies worked for them and how you can grow your own linehaul operation.

Unlocking the full potential of your organization's Delivery Route Optimization (DRO) requires a deeper understanding of advanced strategies and techniques.

During this session, we will delve into advanced insights and case studies, providing you with invaluable knowledge and actionable takeaways. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in optimizing delivery routes, maximizing efficiency, and streamlining operations.

Learn strategic maintenance practices, fuel efficiency tips, and cutting-edge technologies to ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your fleet. This session provides valuable insights to enhance operational efficiency and minimize downtime, ultimately contributing to the overall success of your logistics endeavors.

Join us for this panel where contractors discuss ways they've used their logistics background and infrastructure to diversify their investment. We will talk with entrepreneurs who own fleet companies, lawn care services, moving companies, and related trucking operations. Use this hour to get inspired to diversify (or further diversify) your businesses.

This session is all about adopting a strong management mindset and effective communication strategies for logistics operators. Explore crucial aspects such as owning your role, communicating with drivers, connecting with owners, and fostering effective communication with logistics partners. Discover valuable insights into team building and optimizing your existing team for success.

There are four challenges that you face every single day when recruiting drivers: 1) driver shortage, 2) high competition for candidates, 3) inflated advertising costs, and 4) oversaturated markets. We will walk through ways to navigate these pain points and create a recruiting strategy that ensures your success. We can and will help you attract top talent while saving money.

In this session, Leland Mize, CFO of Route Consultant, will dive into what’s going on with the current economy and what’s expected to come. He’ll touch specifically on interest rates, tax policies, at-risk capital, bank failures, debt, and more. He will walk attendees through ways to weather a volatile economy regardless of operation size.

We get it. Your fleet is being pressured from all sides to make the switch to electric, but it feels like a challenge. Electric trucks seem expensive, learning these new vehicles feels daunting, and what about the seemingly never resolved challenge of expanding charging infrastructure?

Don’t get left behind and miss out on the most opportune time to go electric.

The integration of FedEx Express volume into the FedEx Ground network is one of the most substantial changes for contractors in years. It's a bright light at the end of a roller coaster ride, but what does it really mean for daily volume? Our Director of Training and Operations Consultant, Jesse and Greg Smith, have spent months combing through the data coming out of operations that integrated early in this transition. We will bring the highlights and insights from that data to Contractor Expo.

The best advice in our industry is from other owners who have been through the fire and back. Join us for this linehaul panel to hear experienced linehaul contractors talk about their strategies for linehaul recruiting and retention.

Policies and procedures may sound like the most sleep-inducing part of owning a business. However, when your state legalizes marijuana or your employees create TikTok videos in your trucks, you need to be prepared.

In this workshop, we're not only going to discuss creating an employee handbook that gets in front of top employment issues, but we are also going to focus on how to stay fair and consistent in those policies. Each driver on your team is very different — How do you hold each employee to the same company standard? How do you avoid discrimination claims when enforcing policies under different scenarios? Which policies are not negotiable? — We will be answering all of these questions and more. You don't want to miss it!

The purchase price of stepvans has increased over 35% in the past few years. Additionally, interest rates on vehicle financing have risen from 3% to 9%. Those two factors alone make purchasing new vehicles an unbelievably painful experience. Come learn about alternative and affordable solutions for operation.

Get ready for an upcoming keynote featuring a dynamic guest speaker renowned for their expertise across diverse fields. The keynote promises to be both informative and inspiring, providing attendees with valuable insights centered around entrepreneurship. Stay tuned for more details.

Join us bright and early in Vegas for an in-depth talk about the logistics industry and its current role in the larger economy. Spencer Patton, Founder of Route Consultant, and Annalee Cate, CEO of Route Consultant, will talk about how they are positioning themselves and their clients in the market. They’ll also talk specifically about their short and long-term outlook for FedEx Ground investments. Plus, they’ll touch on investments in the Amazon DSP and bread route space.

Running your business has a multitude of challenges, however, knowing that everyone working for you is speaking YOUR language, working YOUR way, and for the goals that YOU are looking for is critical. This is not just about your drivers. This is ensuring that everyone working for your company is meeting your expectations.

Constructive coaching means working with your HR, your BC, your drivers, your insurance company - you name it! In this session, we will discuss how to make sure that they are all speaking your language and that everyone understands how to drive the business your way while also giving these groups the coaching to grow personally and professionally in their roles.

Introducing the Enneagram as a Pathway for Empathy, Understanding, and Personal Growth

One of the challenges of managing a team is that each employee has their own personality and experiences. To unlock the best out of each individual member of your team, it's vitally important to understand what makes each member tick and how to best motivate them. The Enneagram is a personality test tool that can help you understand the types of people you have on your team and what motivates their actions.

This workshop is designed to help participants identify their Enneagram number and walk away with tools, tips, and practices for each number. You will learn about the 9 personality types that the Enneagram describes, with emphasis on how knowing your Enneagram number can lead to greater personal, professional, and relational health.

Join us for a discussion about how you can use tools like the Enneagram to unlock your team and take your culture to the next level.

Most of the groceries on the shelves at your local supermarket arrive there from a route. There’s a bread route, a spice route, a deli meat route, a soup route … it goes on and on. In recent years, serious investors have overlooked grocery routes because of their low-profit margins on a per-route basis. However, at our Contractor Expo our Route Consultant team will ask: what if we did it at scale? Join Annalee Cate, CEO of Route Consultant, and Grace Bay, CEO of Patton Logistics, to discuss bread routes and the larger grocery marketplace.

For Day 2 of our discussion on finding success as a BC, we will dive head first into the day-to-day operations, best practices, and strategies every BC needs to master.

We understand that your organization’s size may not justify a full-time CFO on the payroll. However, you can deploy tips and tricks from our CFO to put your operations on a strong footing. In this session, CFO Leland Mize will walk you through how to implement concrete action items—financial checks and balances—to reduce stress and improve operations.

Join us for this panel comprised of active and former Amazon DSPs. Learn how the opportunity compares to FedEx Ground contracting and other logistics opportunities. Plus, get the latest updates from DSPs.

Providing health insurance for last-mile delivery drivers enhances job satisfaction, reduces financial strain during emergencies, and fosters loyalty. This leads to decreased absenteeism and increased productivity, making it easier to attract and retain top talent in a competitive job market. Explore comprehensive health insurance options to elevate your logistics operation's benefits.

Over the years, we have analyzed the financials and operations of thousands of logistics operations. We have also successfully purchased and sold many of these businesses through our brokerage, Route Consultant. As a result, we can tell you that most contractors leave money on the table when they sell their business. With our guidance, you can take concrete action today that will boost your ROI when the day comes to sell your business.

Boosting the morale of your team can be a game-changer for optimizing profit margins in your delivery operations. It's undeniable that when drivers are genuinely content and motivated, they go the extra mile. Moreover, a team with high morale translates to reduced turnover rates, saving you valuable resources otherwise spent on recruitment and training. By prioritizing driver well-being, you're not just nurturing a positive work environment but also cultivating a reputation that attracts talented drivers through the powerful network of word-of-mouth referrals. The ripple effect? Elevated revenue and increased profitability, making this session an absolute a high value use of your time at Contractor Expo.

Recruiting for Your Logistics Operation

Enhance your logistics recruitment strategy by leveraging years of hiring data and staying attuned to current market trends. This proactive approach will enable you to recruit more effectively and secure top talent for your operation.

Usually, when you are thinking about compensation, you think about the dollars on a paycheck. In this session, we dive in a little deeper to take a look at everything that encompasses your company's total compensation: culture, benefits, and what's on their paycheck! Total compensation is not a one-size-fits-all. Ensuring you understand how to structure your business's total compensation in a way that aligns with your goals, supports your employees, and fosters a positive company culture you wish to create will allow you to attract, motivate, and retain top talent while promoting overall success.

Join Melody Sundwall, the Director of HR at Route Consultant, as she guides you through these crucial considerations and beyond in this session. It's an unmissable opportunity to gain valuable insights and elevate your understanding of driver and manager total compensation.