While the National Postal Forum was drawing thousands to the Phoenix Convention Center, a smaller but equally vital postal meeting was taking place nearby.
The first-ever national symposium for USPS plant managers was held May 15-19 a few blocks away.
More than 280 plant managers and logistics employees came together for daily workshops, brainstorming sessions, and presentations on international operations, new technology and more.
They compared notes and discussed best practices.
“This was an unprecedented opportunity to engage with all plant managers from across the country, regardless of size,” said Isaac Cronkhite, USPS chief logistics and processing officer, who came up with the idea for the symposium.
“We emerged aligned with a clear vision, achievable goals, a unified focus on precision and a commitment to doing what we say we’re going to do.”
Organizers chose to hold the symposium concurrently with the forum so attendees could take part in select forum events.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy addressed the symposium on the critical role operations and logistics play in the Delivering for America plan.
Also attending were Robert Cintron, logistics vice president; Dane Coleman, Eastern Region vice president; and Todd Hawkins, Western Region’s acting vice president.
“It was a very re-energizing event,” said Kenneth Hanson Jr., plant manager of the Michigan Metroplex in Pontiac.
“Hearing directly from the officers and PMG was a very unique and empowering experience.”