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Some of the greatest value in CLDA comes from the connections we make with one another.
A conversation with another member can offer a new perspective. An introduction can lead to a new opportunity. And sometimes, simply hearing how someone else approached a challenge can help you think differently about your own business.
So this month, I have a simple challenge for every CLDA member: make one new CLDA connection.
Reach out to someone you haven’t met. Ask a question. Share an idea. Make an introduction. And if you’re not sure where to start, reach out to me or any member of our Board. We’re always happy to help.
Your network is one of the most valuable parts of your CLDA membership. Take advantage of it, and be part of what makes it valuable for someone else.
As always, thank you for being part of our community!
Lorena Camargo
CLDA President
Hear a few words from our CLDA President!
Learn more and get involved with CLDA today!
Our latest CLDA webinar brought together more than 120 attendees for The Compliance Playbook for Pharmaceutical Couriers, a timely conversation about what it takes to compete, operate, and grow in the increasingly complex healthcare and pharmaceutical delivery space.
A big thank you to our webinar sponsor, CXT, and to our speakers Lauren King, President of CXT and eCourier; David Walters, Director of Product at CXT; and David Pickerell, CEO of GigSafe.
One message came through clearly: the compliance bar is getting higher. Healthcare and pharmaceutical shippers are placing more scrutiny on their courier partners through RFPs, audits, vendor questionnaires, and driver credentialing requirements. For carriers, being able to deliver on time and at the right price is no longer enough. Shippers increasingly want documented proof of how sensitive data is handled, who is authorized to handle a shipment, and what happened at every step of a delivery.
The panel also broke down some of the terminology members are seeing more frequently, including SOC 2 Type 2, HIPAA alignment, Business Associate Agreements (BAAs), and chain of custody. One of the most useful takeaways was the importance of having evidence that can be produced when a customer or auditor asks for it. That can include barcode scans, photos, signatures, identity verification, timestamps, and GPS or geofence data tied directly to a delivery.
Another important discussion focused on the difference between simply having a compliance policy and building compliance into your day-to-day systems. As requirements become more complex and even vary from shipper to shipper, relying on dispatchers to manually cross-check licenses, insurance, training, credentials, and individual customer requirements creates unnecessary risk.
Perhaps most importantly, the conversation wasn’t just about avoiding problems. Strong compliance can also be a business development tool. Carriers that can clearly demonstrate their controls, documentation, driver qualifications, and audit readiness are better positioned to compete for pharmaceutical and healthcare opportunities.
Attendees also received a practical 90-day framework designed to help carriers assess where they stand today, close gaps, and begin moving manual compliance processes toward systems that are easier to verify and maintain.
Missed this one? There’s more coming.
The next webinar in the CLDA & CXT Webinar Series is scheduled for September 30, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET. Keep an eye on the CLDA website and our weekly emails for registration information coming soon.
Thank you again to CXT, GigSafe, our speakers, and everyone who joined us. We’re excited to continue bringing CLDA members practical education that helps you navigate changes in our industry and find new opportunities to grow.
There’s a lot happening at CLDA as we head into the fall, and I’m excited about what’s coming next.
Final Mile Forum registration will be opening very soon. We’re ironing out the last few details now, and when registration goes live, I encourage you to take advantage of our special Early Bird pricing and register by November 30.
We have a lot of new things in store for FMF27. One of the additions I’m most excited about is our new event app, which will allow attendees to create profiles, connect with other guests, schedule meetings, build their event experience, and much more. The app launches on November 12, but access is only available to registered attendees, so register early and be among the first to get onboard.
We’re also rolling out new pricing and incentives for registration and sponsorship, along with a strong lineup of educational topics and even more opportunities to connect and do business with others in the industry. We’re putting a lot of energy into making FMF27 one of the best Final Mile Forums we’ve had in years, and I really hope to see you there.
We also have more education coming your way before then. Following the strong response to our recent pharmaceutical courier compliance webinar, the next installment of the CLDA & CXT Webinar Series is scheduled for September 30 at 1:00 PM ET. Watch the CLDA website and our weekly emails for registration details coming soon.
And if February still feels too far away, you won’t have to wait that long for your next chance to connect with CLDA in person. Our next CLDA CONNECT event will be held in the Scottsdale, Arizona area on October 8. Stay tuned to the CLDA website and our weekly emails for all the details.
There’s a lot more to come over the next several months, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.
Michael Wright
CLDA Executive Director
CLDA continues to work closely with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and our industry partners to advance practical improvements to the security framework governing the air cargo supply chain. Led by CLDA President-Elect Ralph Perrothers, CLDA’s efforts include ongoing collaboration with senior TSA leadership, congressional outreach, and coalition partners including the Airforwarders Association (AfA), TEANA, ECA, TIA, and AEMCA.
These discussions are focused on modernizing regulations while maintaining the high security standards that protect the nation’s air cargo system.
Current initiatives include:
We are encouraged by the level of engagement from TSA and our industry partners and will continue advocating for practical, industry-driven solutions that enhance security while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens for compliant companies.
CLDA remains committed to ensuring the voice of the customized logistics industry is represented as these important initiatives continue to move forward. Additional updates will be shared as progress is made.
If you are reading this, chances are you made it to the bottom of our Monthly Movement newsletter and I salute you! If you are reading this on the blog, let me catch you up.
CLDA is coming off a very productive stretch. We recently held our strategic planning session, our second quarter Board of Directors meeting, and a highly successful CONNECT PHL event. Each of these moments reinforced the same thing: CLDA has real momentum, and we have a committed group of volunteer leaders, committee members, and staff working hard to make this association more valuable, more accessible, and more impactful for our members.
Across the organization, our focus is clear. We are working to deliver more education, stronger networking, and meaningful advocacy that supports the companies and professionals who make up the final-mile industry.
I am especially excited to announce that our next CLDA CONNECT event will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona, in partnership with OpenForce. We are still fine-tuning the details and will share more information soon, but for now, please mark Thursday, October 8, on your calendar. This will be another great opportunity to connect with fellow members, industry partners, and CLDA leadership.
Preparations for Final Mile Forum 2027 are well underway, and we cannot wait to see you in Orlando. This year marks the 40th anniversary of CLDA, and we are pulling out all the stops.
Regina Robuck will be reaching out soon with new sponsorship opportunities designed to help members and partners highlight their brands in front of the CLDA community. Bridget Sears, our Events Director, along with the FMF Committee, is planning a schedule that will knock your socks off. You can expect old favorites, exciting new additions, and even more opportunities to interact with members, build your network, and grow your business.
Registration opens in just a few weeks with special early bird pricing and early access to our brand-new conference app. The app will be loaded with new features to help registered attendees connect with one another before they even arrive in Orlando. It will only be available to registered guests, and if you are not registered when the app launches, you may miss out on some major opportunities to make valuable connections.
If ever there was a year to attend Final Mile Forum, this is the year.
There is so much more I can’t wait to share, but all in good time. For now, thank you for your continued involvement, support, and belief in what CLDA is building. We have a lot ahead of us, and I am excited to keep moving forward together.
Michael Wright
CLDA Executive Director
Earlier this month, the CLDA Board of Directors came together for our annual strategic planning session to focus on one important question: How can we better serve our members? Every discussion centered on identifying new ways to help our members build stronger, more successful businesses.
I left our meeting encouraged by the discussions, the commitment of our Board, and the clear direction we’ve established for the future of our association. Every conversation focused on how CLDA can deliver greater value through education, advocacy, meaningful connections, and practical resources that help our members grow. I left energized by the opportunities ahead and by our shared commitment to making CLDA an even more valuable resource for every member.
I’m grateful to serve alongside such a dedicated Board of Directors. Their commitment to our members and the future of this industry was evident throughout every discussion. What stood out most to me was the willingness of our volunteer leaders to ask hard questions, challenge assumptions, and identify new ways CLDA can better serve our members. That collaborative spirit gives me confidence in where we’re headed.
Our conversations weren’t about adding programs simply for the sake of doing more. They were about creating opportunities that help you solve problems, learn from industry experts, build valuable relationships, and strengthen your business. That’s the standard we’re holding ourselves to as we shape CLDA’s future.
You’ll begin seeing that work come to life in the months ahead. In our newsletter, you’ll find updates on new initiatives, including the launch of CLDA Final Mile Fridays, along with other programs and resources designed to provide practical insights, valuable connections, and education you can put to work right away.
I also encourage you to take full advantage of your CLDA membership. Read our newsletters, participate in educational programs and networking events, join a committee, and connect with fellow members. Some of the greatest value in CLDA comes not only from our programs, but from the relationships, conversations, and shared experiences that happen because of this community.
I believe the best chapters of CLDA are still ahead. The passion and commitment I see from our Board, volunteers, and members gives me confidence in our future. Together, we’re building an association that not only represents the final mile industry but also helps the businesses within it grow and succeed.
Thank you for your continued support of CLDA and for everything you do to move our industry forward. I look forward to everything we’ll accomplish together.
Lorena Camargo
CLDA President
Hear a few words from our CLDA President!
Learn more and get involved with CLDA today!
The conversations may have ended, but the connections made at CLDA CONNECT PHL continue to leave a lasting impact. From valuable industry insights to meaningful networking, the Philadelphia Connect event was a powerful reminder that some of the best opportunities in our industry begin with simply showing up.
Hosted at Maggie’s Waterfront Café, CLDA CONNECT PHL brought together members from across the United States for an evening of education, collaboration, and meaningful business connections. The room quickly filled to standing room only, creating an atmosphere filled with energy, conversation, and opportunity. It was a clear reminder that when logistics professionals come together, great things happen.
A special thank you goes to our event sponsor, Key Software Systems (KSS), whose commitment to the customized logistics and delivery industry helped make this event possible. KSS didn’t just sponsor the event—they showed up in a big way. Their entire team was on-site, connecting with members, sharing insights, and demonstrating what true partnership looks like. Thank you to Chris Miller, Heather Vacca, Charlie V. Pisciotta, Dave Fajerman, Brian Montibello, Raymond Yuen, and Gary Kellstrom for investing your time, sharing your expertise, and supporting the CLDA community.
Before the evening’s educational session began, CLDA President Lorena Camargo welcomed attendees and shared a few remarks about the importance of bringing our industry together through education, advocacy, and networking. Her message set the tone for an evening centered on collaboration, professional growth, and strengthening the relationships that make our association so valuable.
The evening featured an outstanding panel discussion moderated by Charlie V. Pisciotta of Key Software Systems (KSS). Charlie led an engaging conversation around technology, innovation, and the future of final-mile logistics. Joining him on the panel were Harold Boyett of Blue Streak, Tim Kravitz of Logistics Technology HQ, and Adam Autera of CDL Last Mile. Together, they shared practical insights, real-world experiences, and actionable strategies that attendees could immediately apply within their own businesses. It was another example of CLDA’s commitment to delivering education that helps members grow and stay ahead in an evolving industry.
Beyond the educational session, attendees also had the opportunity to experience a little Philadelphia culture. Maggie’s Waterfront Café served up local favorites, and I have to admit, my personal favorite was the Philly cheesesteak eggrolls—they definitely lived up to the hype.
What made the evening even more memorable was the timing. With the World Cup match playing on every screen throughout the venue, you might have expected everyone’s attention to be fixed on the game. Instead, something remarkable happened. As more CLDA members and guests arrived, the conversations took over. The focus shifted from the televisions to the relationships being built around the room. Business cards were exchanged, ideas were shared, partnerships were discussed, and new friendships were formed. It was a perfect reminder that while sporting events may bring people together, meaningful networking is what keeps our industry moving forward.
One of the highlights of the evening was seeing so many CLDA leaders together in one place. Members had the opportunity to connect with CLDA Board Members, Committee Chairs, committee volunteers, and fellow members from across the country. The event truly became a meet-and-greet, giving attendees the chance to ask questions, exchange ideas, and build relationships with the leaders helping shape the future of our association.
As the CEO of Express Errands & Courier and a CLDA Board Member and Marketing Committee Chair, I’ve experienced firsthand the value of being involved in this association. Some of the most meaningful relationships I’ve built—and some of the greatest opportunities for my business—have come from showing up, volunteering, serving, and engaging with fellow members. That’s one of the many reasons I’m so passionate about encouraging others to take advantage of everything CLDA has to offer.
If you’re looking to maximize your CLDA membership, my advice is simple: show up.
Networking is the new currency. People do business with people they know, trust, and remember. You can’t sit behind a computer waiting for opportunities to find you—you have to be intentional about getting into the room, making introductions, asking questions, and building genuine relationships. Your next client, referral partner, mentor, strategic alliance, or lifelong friend may be just one conversation away.
One of the greatest benefits of CLDA CONNECT events is that they are free for CLDA members. They provide an incredible opportunity to learn from industry experts, engage with solution providers, meet association leadership, and expand your professional network—all at no additional cost. Whether you’re a longtime member or attending your very first Connect event, these gatherings are one of the most valuable benefits of CLDA membership.
Philadelphia was an incredible success, and the momentum continues.
We’re already looking ahead to our next CLDA CONNECT event on October 8 in Scottsdale, Arizona, proudly hosted by OpenForce. If you’ve been thinking about attending your first Connect event—or if you’ve attended before and know the value these gatherings provide—I encourage you to join us. I look forward to seeing familiar faces, welcoming new members, and continuing to strengthen the relationships that make CLDA such an incredible community.
Thank you to everyone who attended, our outstanding panelists, our dedicated volunteers, the CLDA Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, and especially Key Software Systems (KSS) for helping make Philadelphia a memorable success.
Because at the end of the day, our industry moves packages—but our association moves people. And it’s those relationships that continue to move our businesses, our careers, and our industry forward.
See you in Scottsdale!
By Roslyn Ellerbee
CEO, Express Errands & Courier | CLDA Board Member | Marketing Committee Chair
