Great Lakes keeps Cleveland competitive and green

John Carroll University, in conjunction with the Standard Products Dr. James S. Reid Chair in Management, will host a daylong second annual conference on the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Marine Highway, titled "Fitting the Pieces Together," on Aug. 30 at the Dolan Science Center. The purpose of the conference is to explore how the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway give Northeast Ohio manufacturers and shippers a competitive advantage in the global economy.

Dr. Bradley Hull, associate professor and Reid Chair in JCU’s Department of management, marketing and logistics, wants to raise awareness of NE Ohio shippers to the potential of using water transportation between northern europe and the cities of Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago. 

Shipping by water is the lowest-cost method when compared to rail, truck and air. Today, an added component makes transport by water attractive to business owners and consumers who are interested in sustainablity. Water transport has the lowest carbon footprints of all. 

Hull, an expert in domestic and international logistics, has an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists. The keynote speaker is Terry Johnson, administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development. Also speaking will be John Baker, president of the Great Lakes District Council of the AFL-CIO; William Friedman, president and CEO of Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority; Rear Admiral Michael Parks, USCG Commander Ninth Coast Guard District; and Charles de la Porte, honorary consul, Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The registration fee of $25 includes breakfast and lunch. The conference is expected to attract over 250 national and international participants. For further information, or to register, telephone 216-397-4386 or e-mail abuda@jcu.edu. 

Anita Kazarian is a marketing professional and long-time resident of University Heights. She may be contacted at anitakazarian@gmail.com.