The 2025 TIA Capital Ideas Conference kicked off with powerful messages, sharp insights, and clear calls to action for the logistics industry. With over 1,500 attendees gathered, Day 1 delivered impact and inspiration, especially in a time when freight fraud, cybersecurity, and tech adoption are reshaping how 3PLs and carriers operate.
Here’s what stood out, what we’re still thinking about, and what it means for the future of freight.
TIA Sets the Tone: Industry Voice, Unity, and Innovation
TIA Chairman Mark Christos opened the event with a warm welcome, celebrating the organization’s 40+ year legacy. With over 3,500 CTB (Certified Transportation Broker) professionals certified, TIA continues to invest in education and elevate industry standards.
Key Day 1 highlights:
- Avalon Risk Management awarded scholarships to 4 rising professionals
- Truckstop recognized 3 outstanding Women in Transportation
- Rob Kemp, incoming TIA Chairman, spotlighted cargo theft as a billion-dollar issue
- Chris Burroughs, TIA CEO, emphasized the association’s shift toward representing all of logistics—not just brokers. TIA is clearly pro-carrier, advocating for greater unity in a historically divided space
- 80,000 freight fraud complaints were filed—prompting a September lobbying push in D.C.
- A new Technology Committee will focus on adoption, security, and collaboration
Opening Keynote: Frank Abagnale’s Wake-Up Call on Cybersecurity
Frank Abagnale, the real-life inspiration behind Catch Me If You Can, opened the conference with a sobering keynote on cybercrime, identity theft, and scams. A bestselling author and FBI educator for over 40 years, Abagnale’s formula was simple but urgent:
Prevention. Verification. Education.
He left the room with alarming stats:
- 🔐 91% of stolen money is never recovered
- 👤 3.6 billion identity records compromised in 2024
- ⚖️ Less than 0.005% of cyberattacks are prosecuted
- 🔑 Passkeys are set to replace passwords entirely
Session Highlight: You’ve Selected New AI Tech—Now What?
Moderated by Dawn Salvucci-Favier (CEO, Greenscreens), the panel brought together Kevin Sendre, Julia Hoult, and Greg Finnerty to tackle the real-life challenges of implementing AI in freight.
Key takeaways:
- AI isn’t just about ROI—it’s about improving team experience and workflow
- Transparency in data sources is critical
- Security risks emerge when giving access to external AI providers
- Adoption starts with training, clear process improvement, and buy-in
- Brokers must address ego, tribal knowledge, and system overload to succeed
“AI is your teammate. It’s the cost of doing business—your competitors are already using it.”
M&A Insights from Republic Partners
Michael Nolan from Republic Partners shared valuable insight into M&A trends in logistics—especially for family-owned firms.
Highlights:
- Logistics firms are increasingly judged by their tech stack and IP
- Republic builds long-term relationships before any transaction—no upfront fees
- Sellers are expected to circle back when they’re ready to move
- Tech is no longer a differentiator—it’s a requirement
- For tech due diligence, they work with West Monroe
Open questions we’re still reflecting on:
- How do they assess a company’s tech pre-diligence?
- How much does strong tech truly impact valuation multiples?
Political Outlook: Tariffs, Trade, and Freight Policy
In a heated political panel, Scott Jennings (CNN), Seth Clevenger (Transport Topics), and other experts unpacked the future of global trade and domestic manufacturing.
Main takeaways:
- Tariffs may become a long-term reality—especially with Trump likely back in play
- Expect a decoupling from China and deals with other regions
- Freight leaders must remain nimble and adaptive
- There’s a push to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and boost wages
- Lobbying opportunities may open as red tape is reduced
“This is a restructuring of the world trade order that works for working Americans.”
Industry Reflections: The Evolving Role of Brokers and Carriers
- The divide between brokers and carriers still runs deep—but there’s hope for alignment
- Freight theft is an emerging and urgent concern
- Brokers are still seen as faster-moving and more aggressive than carriers
- People remain the most valuable asset in 3PL firms—especially in the M&A context
Final Thoughts
Day 1 of the TIA Capital Ideas Conference set the stage for big conversations in logistics—from cybercrime to AI, M&A to political strategy. Whether you’re a broker, a carrier, or somewhere in between, one thing is clear:
The future of logistics will be shaped by how well we adapt, protect, and innovate—together.
