Schedule of Activities

Monday, February 12

• 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

  Member Welcome Reception & Give Back Activity

  Welcome Reception will take place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Ayrsley (1917 Ayrsley Town Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273)

  Join us for a Welcome Reception where you will enjoy food, drinks and the chance to meet fellow attendees. We will also have a Give Back activity available so you that you can help Ronald McDonald House Charities of Great Charlotte. This event is included in your registration fee, but RSVP is required.

Tuesday, February 13

• 9:00 am - 9:30 am

  Registration & Continental Breakfast

  Summit will take place at Carolina Handling – 4835 Sirona Dr Ste 100 – Charlotte, NC 28273

  Stop by the MHEDA reg desk for your name badge, then enjoy a cup of coffee and some breakfast pastries.

• 9:30 am - 10:15 am

  Welcome, Introductions, and Meet the Host Carolina Handling LLC

  Presented by Brent Hillabrand, President & CEO, Carolina Handling, LLC

  About the Speaker

  Brent Hillabrand was named President & CEO of Carolina Handling, LLC in 2020. He joined the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company in 2005 as renewed equipment supervisor, moving to regional sales manager, vice president of sales and president before being named to lead one of the Southeast’s major material handling solution providers and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone territory.

  A native of Northeast Ohio, Hillabrand was raised in a forklift family, honing his skills in the material handling industry at his family’s dealership. Under Hillabrand’s leadership, Carolina Handling has achieved record-breaking growth in sales and service and is continuously named a Raymond Dealer of Distinction and a Most Valuable Partner by MHEDA. In 2021, Carolina Handling was recognized for Best Service Performance among all dealers in The Raymond Corporation network.

• 10:15 am - 11:00 am

  Economic Update As Uncertainty Grows, So Does the Material Handling Industry

  Presented by Joe Perkins, EVP Operations and Mike Gainor, EVP Sales, Carolina Handling, LLC

  It would be easy to assume that higher costs for consumer goods, escalating rent for industrial space and an ongoing labor shortage spell impending doom for U.S. business and industry. In the material handling sector, the opposite is true. Hear about positive indicators for the supply chain and how the material handling industry is weathering economic uncertainty.

  Key Takeaways:

  • Discuss the impact of The Amazon Effect.
  • Review how ongoing labor shortage is accelerating automation decisions.
  • Discuss how growth in private warehouse construction is driving products sold and supported by the material handling industry.

   

  About the Speakers

  Joe Perkins was named Executive Vice President of Operations at Carolina Handling, LLC on April 1, 2020. He joined the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company in 2012 as a sales representative, moving up to sales manager, corporate warehouse solutions manager, director of warehouse products and solutions and vice president of operations before being named to the executive leadership team of one of the Southeast’s premier material handling solutions providers and the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone territory.

  Prior to joining Carolina Handling, Perkins served for eight years as warehouse manager at Pate Dawson-Southern Foods where he gained a keen understanding of what companies most value when partnering with a warehouse solutions provider such as Carolina Handling.

  Mike Gainor was named Executive Vice President of Sales at Carolina Handling, LLC in April 2019. He joined the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company in 2010 as a sales representative, and the next year, was promoted to regional sales manager overseeing the company’s Georgia, Alabama and Florida regions. He was named vice president of sales in 2016.

  In his current role, Gainor oversees Carolina Handling’s sales and marketing teams and the company’s Intralogistics Solution Group, a team of consultants and engineers that design and install integrated, automated solutions for warehouses, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers.
  Prior to joining Carolina Handling, Gainor worked for five years in a variety of sales and operations roles for Penske Truck Leasing.

• 11:15 am - 12:00 pm

  Material Handling Business Trends Roundtable Discussions – Part I

  Facilitated by MHEDA Board Member, Jim MacGregor,  VP Operations, Toyota Material Handling Systems

  MHEDA releases industry trends annually (www.mheda.org/trends). This is your opportunity to discuss what is happening within the industry, and within your organization. Great way to exchange ideas, insights and learn how your peers are managing challenges.

• 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm

  Lunch

• 12:45 pm - 1:00 pm

  Maximize Your MHEDA Membership

  Meet MHEDA’s New CEO, Jeannette Walker and Membership & Advocacy Manager, Katie Richards, and learn about 2024 MHEDA Programs and Services!

  •  What’s new with Convention 2024?
  •  MHEDA Resources
  •  Member Benefits

• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

  The 2024 Cyber Security Playbook for MHEDA Members
  

  MHEDA Member USI Insurance Services LLC will deliver a timely presentation on a topic that is consistently at top of mind for executives around the world: Cyber Security. Learn how to increase awareness, improve current practices and review steps you should take to prevent future cyber-attacks.

  Key Takeaways:

  • Learn steps and recommendations to take if your company experiences a cyber attack;
  • Review Cyber Incident Case Studies;
  • Discuss resources to have in place prior to a potential attack;
  • Review what to do if and when a cyber-attack happens;
  • Uncover how to communicate with employees, customers and other important stakeholders.

   

  About the Speakers

  Dru C. Wilson is USI’s Property & Casualty National Manufacturing & Distribution Vertical Leader. His day-to-day responsibilities include the overall strategic development and deployment USI’s “ONE Advantage” and specific industrial solutions for the vertical practice. Further, he maintains current knowledge base by maintaining key account relationships. Dru has been in manufacturing insurance and risk management business since 1990. Having been with USI since 2012 and in a Leadership role since 2015.

  Dru’s educational credentials include DeVry Institute for Technology, St. Petersburg College; Eckerd College; The Insurance Institute of America – Accredited Advisor of Insurance; The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research – Certified Risk Manager; and earned the distinction from Certified Risk Managers International for ten years of Excellence and commitment to education. Dru holds a 220 Property & Casualty license.

  Dru has been involved with the Bay Area Manufacturers Association since 2013 and served on the Board Member and Chairperson from 2013-2022. In addition, Dru participates with many other charitable organizations throughout the year.

  Timothy J. Gotta, J.D. is USI’s Midwest, Central and Mountain West Regional Cyber Liability Insurance Director for USI Insurance Services’ Executive & Professional Risk Solutions Practice (EPS). Tim’s focus is working with clients and prospects on creating comprehensive and customized coverage for their data security privacy and errors and omissions exposures. Tim started his commercial insurance brokerage career at Risk Strategies Company in 2014 and previously worked at Marsh, Gallagher and NFP. Tim has extensive experience in working with financial services firms including private equity, insurance companies as well as working with nonprofits and cultural institutions.

  Born in Chicago, raised in Montana, Tim is an avid outdoor enthusiast, stays active in his spare time. Tim obtained his undergraduate degree in political science at University of Montana and his law degree at Barry University.

  Zachary Allread is a specialty representative for USI’s Industrial Machinery & Equipment team in the Midwest. His day-to-day responsibilities include servicing his clients as well as developing USI’s presence in the Industrial Machinery & Equipment space. Zach has been in the Middle Market Commercial insurance and risk management business since 2019.

  Zach attended Northwood University and obtained his Bachelors degree in Marketing. After undergrad, Zach continued his education at The Richard DeVos graduate school of Management where he earned his Master’s of Business Administration specializing in Business Management.

• 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm

  Material Handling Business Trends Roundtable Discussions – Part II

  Facilitated by MHEDA Board Member, Jim MacGregor,  VP Operations, Toyota Material Handling Systems

  MHEDA releases industry trends annually (www.mheda.org/trends). Part II of the trends discussion will cover topics not addressed in the morning discussions. Another engaging and productive networking opportunity!

• 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm

  Raffle Drawing and Closing Comments

• 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

  Tour of Carolina Handling LLC

• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

  Happy Hour Reception