{"682117":{"#nid":"682117","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Center of Innovation Hosts 2025 Logistics Summit","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/georgia.org\/center-of-innovation\u0022\u003EGeorgia Center of Innovation\u003C\/a\u003E, a strategic arm of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/georgia.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Department of Economic Development\u003C\/a\u003E (GDEcD), hosted hundreds of attendees at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/galogisticssummit.com\/\u0022\u003E2025 Georgia Logistics Summit\u003C\/a\u003E, where experts offered insights on the intersection of technology and logistics, updates on infrastructure investments, and how the state is preparing the future workforce to support growth. Established in 2009 as the first state-led event of its kind, the Georgia Logistics Summit is one of the Southeast\u2019s key logistics and supply chain events, connecting industry professionals for networking and knowledge-sharing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe economic impact of Georgia\u2019s transportation and logistics industry was $107 billion in 2023, according to an economic impact study by the University of Georgia\u2019s Selig Center for Economic Growth. These industries supported more than 578,000 Georgia jobs, or one in nine jobs in the state. From 2010 to 2023, transportation and logistics jobs in Georgia grew by 68%, outpacing the national growth rate of 52%. Additionally, in 2023 and 2024 alone, new logistics and distribution sector investments, including cold storage and ecommerce fulfillment centers, totaled $3.8 billion and created over 9,000 new jobs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGeorgia\u2019s unmatched global connectivity is one of the driving forces behind our economic success. Decades of strategic investment in our logistics and supply chain infrastructure \u2013 from our ports and rail lines to our highways and air cargo capabilities \u2013 have led to record-breaking economic investments and trade,\u201d said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. \u201cThe Logistics Summit brings together private sector, government, and education leaders to learn from experts, exchange best practices, and explore opportunities in the rapidly evolving logistics landscape to maximize opportunities. Events like this strengthen collaboration and spark new ideas that keep Georgia businesses competitive on a global scale.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell R. McMurry highlighted Georgia\u2019s strategic investments and how the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is leveraging technology to improve freight flow. He cited the leadership of Governor Brian P. Kemp and support from the General Assembly to allocate $1 billion to the newly created Georgia Freight Program over the past two years. Additional investments in transportation infrastructure are advancing the timing for key planned transportation projects that will maintain and improve Georgia\u2019s interstate highway system, roads, and bridges. Georgia\u2019s multimodal transportation network carried nearly half a billion tons of freight in 2019, valued at $673 trillion. Projections show that freight volume is expected to nearly double to 900 million in tonnage and freight value to more than double today\u2019s value by 2050. Working with partners that include the Center of Innovation and the Georgia Institute of Technology, GDOT is focusing on enhancing safety and efficiency, including projects to add 50% more truck parking and installing fiber internet on Georgia interstates.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Ports Authority Vice President of Operations Susan Gardner provided updates on strategic investments to expand capacity at the ports, and how Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is leveraging live data to improve safety, track vessel productivity and containers, and eliminate congestion. Gardner emphasized building a technological culture and prioritizing hiring creative employees, as well as harnessing data insights to boost efficiency. GPA is investing in $4.5 billion in improvements over the next decade as part of its port master plan to expand cargo handling capabilities and support future supply chain requirements.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis year\u2019s feature panel, \u201cAI and Beyond: Embracing Digital Transformation in Logistics,\u201d included leadership from The Home Depot, Havertys Furniture, and TOTO USA, as well as research perspectives from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Panelists highlighted the ways digital technologies are reshaping supply chains, including a three- to five-year outlook for the industry, and provided insights attendees can use to shape their strategies to move more efficiently as AI and automation transform the industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDigital technologies are reshaping supply chains in various ways, and Georgia is working to stay ahead of the curve,\u201d \u003Cstrong\u003Esaid Center of Innovation Executive Director David Nuckolls\u003C\/strong\u003E. \u201cThe Center of Innovation and our specialized logistics team work alongside this dynamic industry, helping to position businesses for growth. The annual Georgia Logistics Summit is a powerful opportunity to build connections and equip businesses with crucial knowledge and resources.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEducating the needed talent was the focus of the event\u2019s final panel, with University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier providing updates on how the state\u2019s post-secondary institutions are developing a globally competitive workforce. Discussion focused on how these institutions are ensuring the skills they are teaching match the jobs logistics companies are looking for, including creative problem-solving and effective use of new AI and automation tools. The breadth of Georgia\u2019s technical college programs was also discussed, including the High Demand Career Initiatives program and a pilot program called \u201cDual Achievement\u201d that enrolls students who withdrew from high school in a technical college program, enabling them to earn a high school diploma alongside a technical college certificate, diploma, or degree. Panelists focused on the importance of helping students get where they want to go faster, upskilling the existing workforce, and how connections between industry leaders and educators can help foster greater outcomes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Center of Innovation\u2019s Logistics Industry Advisory Board also recognized the winners of the inaugural Future Innovators in Supply Chain competition. The competition invited college students to create videos about supply chain careers, reflecting the Center\u2019s commitment to developing future logistics leaders. Led by professor Parisa Pooyan, student team \u201cThe Masters of Logistinomics\u201d from Kennesaw State University won first prize and a $3,000 grant for the university. Eli Hampton, Angeline Harris, Joe Johnson, and Dana Pazhouhesh created the winning video, which can be viewed \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9zYT29pia0g\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor additional information on the 2025 Georgia Logistics Summit and to stay up-to-date on next year\u2019s plans, visit \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/galogisticssummit.com\u0022\u003Egalogisticssummit.com\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParticipants in the 2025 Georgia Logistics Summit also included leaders from S\u0026amp;P Global Market Intelligence, Boost Phase Ventures, and M.D. Livingstone Consulting.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout the Georgia Center of Innovation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EExclusive to Georgia, the Center of Innovation helps Georgia businesses of all types and sizes find inspired solutions to challenges and opportunities. The Center connects new and expanding businesses with a team of experts, external partners, and independent mentors to tap into the technical expertise and guidance they need. By encouraging collaboration across six key industries: Aerospace, AgTech, Energy Technology, Information Technology, Logistics, and Manufacturing, the Center helps Georgia prepare for growth in strategic industry ecosystems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAbout GDEcD\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state\u2019s sales and marketing arm. It is Georgia\u2019s lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, and locating new markets for Georgia products. As the state\u2019s official destination marketing organization, it drives traveler visitation and promotes the state as a location for film and digital entertainment projects. GDEcD is responsible for planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development, fostering innovation and the arts to drive opportunity from the mountains to the coast.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Georgia Center of Innovation, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), hosted hundreds of attendees at the 2025 Georgia Logistics Summit, where experts offered insights on the intersection of technology and logistics, updates on infrastructure investments, and how the state is preparing the future workforce to support growth.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Center of Innovation\u2019s 15th Logistics Summit delivers insights on digital transformation, workforce, transportation"}],"uid":"27233","created_gmt":"2025-04-29 15:42:30","changed_gmt":"2025-04-29 18:26:01","author":"Andy Haleblian","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-04-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-04-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676994":{"id":"676994","type":"image","title":"Members of the Georgia Center of Innovation \u2013 Logistics Advisory Board gathered at the 2025 Georgia Logistics Summit","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMembers of the Georgia Center of Innovation \u2013 Logistics Advisory Board gathered at the 2025 Georgia Logistics Summit, where each received a personal note of recognition from Governor Brian Kemp for three years of dedicated service. Their collective efforts have advanced freight and logistics across Georgia\u2014strengthening collaboration between industry, government, and academia to drive the state\u2019s economic growth.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1745950216","gmt_created":"2025-04-29 18:10:16","changed":"1746022908","gmt_changed":"2025-04-30 14:21:48","alt":"Members of the Georgia Center of Innovation \u2013 Logistics Advisory Board gathered at the 2025 Georgia Logistics Summit, where each received a personal note of recognition from Governor Brian Kemp for three years of dedicated service. Their collective efforts have advanced freight and logistics across Georgia\u2014strengthening collaboration between industry, government, and academia to drive the state\u2019s economic growth.","file":{"fid":"260851","name":"RS12365_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-126_lpr.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/29\/RS12365_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-126_lpr.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/29\/RS12365_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-126_lpr.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1102222,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/29\/RS12365_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-126_lpr.jpg?itok=aEn_X4gR"}},"676995":{"id":"676995","type":"image","title":"Chris Gaffney of Georgia Tech\u2019s Supply Chain and Logistics Institute addresses the Georgia Logistics Summit","body":"\u003Cp\u003EChris Gaffney of Georgia Tech\u2019s Supply Chain and Logistics Institute addresses the Georgia Logistics Summit, reflecting on the power of public-private collaboration. \u201cIt\u2019s that bridge between dialogue and execution that makes this group so valuable. Together, we\u2019re building the capabilities that help Georgia\u2019s communities and businesses grow, thrive, and lead.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1745950277","gmt_created":"2025-04-29 18:11:17","changed":"1746022917","gmt_changed":"2025-04-30 14:21:57","alt":"Chris Gaffney of Georgia Tech\u2019s Supply Chain and Logistics Institute addresses the Georgia Logistics Summit, reflecting on the power of public-private collaboration. \u201cIt\u2019s that bridge between dialogue and execution that makes this group so valuable. Together, we\u2019re building the capabilities that help Georgia\u2019s communities and businesses grow, thrive, and lead.\u201d","file":{"fid":"260852","name":"RS12354_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-112_lpr.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/29\/RS12354_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-112_lpr.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/29\/RS12354_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-112_lpr.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":711481,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/29\/RS12354_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-112_lpr.jpg?itok=F4fK5P2J"}},"676996":{"id":"676996","type":"image","title":"Pascal Van Hentenryck speaking as part of AI and digital technologies panel discussion","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPascal Van Hentenryck participated in a panel discussion of how AI and digital technologies are reshaping supply chains, including future predictions and real-world examples of their impact on logistics.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1745950433","gmt_created":"2025-04-29 18:13:53","changed":"1746022925","gmt_changed":"2025-04-30 14:22:05","alt":"Pascal Van Hentenryck participated in a panel discussion of how AI and digital technologies are reshaping supply chains, including future predictions and real-world examples of their impact on logistics. ","file":{"fid":"260853","name":"RS12401_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-160_lpr.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/29\/RS12401_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-160_lpr.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/04\/29\/RS12401_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-160_lpr.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":775806,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/04\/29\/RS12401_GA-Logistics-Summit-2025-160_lpr.jpg?itok=jtP-ONac"}}},"media_ids":["676994","676995","676996"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/galogisticssummit.com\/","title":"Georgia Logistics Summit event website"}],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"139","name":"Business"},{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"133","name":"Special Events and Guest Speakers"}],"keywords":[{"id":"167214","name":"Supply Chain and Logistics Institute"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllie Dean, \u003C\/strong\u003ECommunications Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development | \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:adean@georgia.org\u0022\u003Eadean@georgia.org\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}