Norman Mineta, who served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2001-2006, will deliver the luncheon keynote address at the 2007 Indiana Logistics Summit beginning at noon.

The fifth annual Indiana Logistics Summit will be held September 25-26 in Indianapolis at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. The event focuses on ways to build the high-growth, high-tech transportation, distribution and logistics industry. Featured speakers this year will be former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta and Michael Gallis, an expert in large-scale regional development strategies.

Source: Inside INdiana Business Purdue President France C rdova is scheduled to deliver opening remarks, and Governor Mitch Daniels is also expected to address attendees.

More information is available online at http://www.indianalogistics.com.

West Lafayette, Ind. -- The fifth annual Indiana Logistics Summit on Sept. 25-26 in Indianapolis will focus on how to expand the competitive advantages of the state's transportation, distribution and logistics industry.

Purdue University President France A. C rdova is scheduled to make opening remarks to the more than 300 leaders from industry, government, economic development and academia. Gov. Mitch Daniels also is scheduled to make remarks. Featured speakers will be former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta and Michael Gallis, an expert in large-scale regional development strategies.

The summit, which will be at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, 350 W. Maryland St., will examine ways to build the high-growth, high-tech transportation, distribution and logistics industry. The industry creates jobs and supports other key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, information technology and the life sciences.

The schedule for the summit is available online at www.indianalogistics.com. It has been expanded this year to include an additional day for panel discussions by U.S. shippers and for speed-networking sessions where service providers can register for one-on-one meetings with top shippers to find out what it takes to earn their business.

Gallis will speak at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 26. He will share his expertise in developing regional strategies for economic development through logistics.

Mineta will deliver the luncheon keynote address beginning at noon.

He was the 14th U.S. Secretary of Transportation and served from 2001-2006, overseeing an agency with almost 60,000 employees and a $61.6 billion budget. Mineta led the team that created the Transportation Security Administration in 2001, which was charged by Congress to develop safety measures that included screening all airline passengers and baggage.

Prior to his appointment as secretary, Mineta served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Clinton. He was vice president of Lockheed Martin Corp. before joining the commerce department.

From 1975 to 1995, he served as a member of U.S. House of Representatives from California's Silicon Valley. He championed increases in investment for transportation infrastructure and was a key author of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, which shifted decisions on highway and mass transit planning to state and local governments.

At the summit, morning panelists include speakers from industry along with academics and government officials who will discuss creating a competitive advantage with logistics, infrastructure and work force needs. The first afternoon session will feature an update on the Indiana Logistics Council from Lisa Laughner, executive vice president of Conexus Indiana, an initiative that focuses on the state's advanced manufacturing and logistics industries. The final session will focus on helping small businesses reach global markets.

The summit is organized by Purdue, Ports of Indiana and Conexus Indiana. Sponsors include Duke Realty, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana Economic Development Corp., the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, UPS, First Industrial Realty, National City, FedEx, Charter One Bank, RedCats USA, Northwest Indiana Forum, Relay Express, Duke Energy and AEP Memco Barge Line.

Additional program information is available from Jody Peacock, Ports of Indiana, at (317) 233-6225, jpeacock@portsofindiana.com. Registration, lodging and transportation questions can be directed to Kathy Walters, conference coordinator at Purdue University, (800) 359-2968, kw@purdue.edu.

The summit is open to transportation professionals and the general public. The $250 registration fee includes an evening reception on Sept. 25 and lunch on Sept. 26. Registration information is available online at www.indianalogistics.com or by calling (765) 494-2758.

Source: Purdue University