From March 1st to March 3rd in Orlando, FL, Select Carriers joined hundreds of shippers, carriers, and industry leaders at the 70th annual Food Shippers of America Conference.
For Select Carriers, the Annual Food Shippers Conference continues to be one of the most important events of the year. It is where conversations with peers from the industry turn into strategy, partnerships grow stronger, and the direction of the market becomes clearer.
This year was no different, bringing together familiar faces and new connections in a setting that continues to shape how the industry will move forward.
The conference placed a strong emphasis on the broader economic outlook and how it is shaping freight demand. Various discussions during the conference highlighted continued uncertainty around consumer spending, inventory levels, and cost pressures, all of which are directly influencing shipping patterns.
For Select Carriers, these conversations reinforced the importance of staying flexible and aligned with partners as conditions continue to evolve.
A Conference Built on Connection
The value of FSA goes far beyond the sessions. Being able to spend time face to face with partners creates a different level of connection, one that simply cannot be replicated through calls or emails. It is in these moments where relationships are strengthened and trust continues to build.
Throughout the conference, there was also a shared awareness of shifts happening across the market. Conversations naturally centered around the changes many are beginning to feel, making the event not just a place to connect, but also a place to align.
Cindy Egan, Chief Financial Officer at Select Carriers, shared:
“FSA was once again a great opportunity to connect face to face with both shipper and carrier partners. The sessions were insightful, and many discussions focused on the market changes that are starting to impact the industry.”
Momentum, Opportunity, and Market Insight
With hundreds of stakeholders in attendance, the energy at FSA continues to create real momentum. Over the course of the week, Select Carriers held dozens of meetings with both existing partners and new connections, opening the door to new opportunities on both sides.
A key theme across sessions was the growing role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in improving visibility, forecasting, and operational efficiency. While adoption levels vary across the industry, there is a clear shift toward data-driven decision-making.
For both shippers and carriers, leveraging technology is no longer optional; it is becoming a competitive requirement to manage volatility and optimize performance.
What stood out most was how naturally these conversations evolve. Time spent together in person allows ideas to move forward quickly, turning simple discussions into actionable opportunities and long-term partnerships.
Jeff Miller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, reflected on the experience:
“With so many partners in one place, the opportunity to connect is unmatched. Our time in Orlando led to valuable meetings and new opportunities.”
Beyond the meetings themselves, the conference also offered valuable perspective. The mix of industry experts and speakers provided insight into current conditions, helping teams better understand where the market stands today and where it may be heading next.
Another critical topic throughout the conference was the rise in fraud and cargo theft, which continues to impact supply chains at scale. Industry leaders shared concerns around increasingly sophisticated schemes targeting freight movements, reinforcing the need for stronger verification processes, tighter communication, and trusted partnerships.
This aligns closely with Select Carriers’ focus on building reliable, secure networks with vetted carriers and customers, rather than relying on unknown variables that increase the risk for all parties involved.
A Market in Transition
One of the clearest takeaways from this year’s conference was the shift happening across the market. Capacity is tightening, rejection rates are rising, and carriers are becoming more selective with the freight they move.
At the same time, there was a strong message around collaboration becoming more intentional. As market conditions tighten, transactional relationships are giving way to more strategic, long-term partnerships.
Shippers are prioritizing reliability and consistency, while carriers are focusing on sustainable freight that aligns with their networks. This shift further reinforces the role of relationship-driven models like the one utilized by Select Carriers in bridging both sides effectively.
These changes are creating a more competitive environment, where strong partnerships and clear agreements play an even more important role. As conditions evolve, collaboration between shippers and carriers will continue to be a key factor in navigating uncertainty.
Stephanie Wood, Director of Sales and Client Experience, shared:
“FSA feels like a yearly reunion, and with market conditions shifting, strong partnerships remain key to navigating what’s ahead.”
Turning Towards The Future
As the conference wraps each year, it marks the start of the real work ahead. The conversations and connections built in Orlando now move into action, aligning strategies and strengthening collaboration in the months to come.
FSA continues to play an important role in keeping Select Carriers closely connected with partners while staying in step with changes across the industry. The relationships strengthened over these three days will continue to carry forward, setting the tone for what comes next.
We are already looking forward to building on that momentum and reconnecting in Palm Desert next year.
