VMA 2026: Back To School For Logistics Professionals

Class was in session at this year’s Virginia Maritime Association International Trade Symposium, as shippers had the opportunity to attend more than 20 sessions and speeches covering everything from tariffs and artificial intelligence to geopolitics, the Gemini alliance, and more. Each offered attendees an opportunity to learn more about the issues, trends, and challenges shaping today’s supply chain.

Among the most popular sessions were panels examining the industry outlook, cargo theft, and trucking.

One of the most anticipated sessions was also one of the last, featuring carrier leaders Tamekia Flack (World Shipping Council), Natasha Griffin (CMA-CGM), Dan Sheehy (Ocean Network Express), and Nissim Yochai (ZIM). The panel explored geopolitical conditions, evolving trade policy, service networks, sustainability, and other issues affecting international shipping. Click the link below to hear the entire session.

Another well-attended panel focused on cargo theft, a major industry problem that continues to challenge shippers, carriers, insurers, and logistics providers. Panelists Robert Counce (IMC Logistics), Sal Marino (CargoNet), Josephine Palacios (Alliant Insurance Services), and Clay Thrasher (Walmart) discussed why the problem persists and what the industry is doing to combat it. Click the link below to hear what they had to say.

The panel on trucking explored how East Coast drayage providers are adapting to rising diesel and insurance costs, as well as pressure to reduce emissions. Panelists Gary Johnson (Reynolds America), Richard Jung (NFI/California Cartage Transportation Express), Philip Thomas (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), Mitch Williams (Amazon Global Logistics), and Philip Wolfe (DCLI) examined the strategies carriers are using to remain profitable and what shippers need to know to navigate the current trucking environment.

For logistics professionals looking to keep pace with a rapidly changing industry, VMA 2026 offered plenty of reasons to head back to the classroom.