Georgia Tech's Executive Masters in International Logistics May Webinar Features Latest Hot Spot for Global Logistics: Latin America.

ATLANTA -- Industry Experts Discuss How Partnerships, Outsourcing and Consolidated Networks Ease Burdens of Working in Unfamiliar Regions

Georgia Institute of Technology's (Georgia Tech) Executive Masters in International Logistics program (EMIL) announces that its 2006 webinar series, "EMIL Virtual Classroom," continues with its next webinar entitled "Latin American Logistics Excellence." The webinar will take place on May 18, 2006 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET.

Recognizing executives are looking toward greater use of consolidated networks, outsourced operations and shared logistics services, the webinar will cover these trends through the eyes of four senior-level experts:

--Maria Rey, executive director, Latin America Logistics Center (LALC)

--Daniel Quiroga, station manager, DHL 

--Surse Pierpoint, president, Logistics Services (Panama)

--Mason Stewart, manager of international ocean and air, Payless Shoe Source

For more information and to register for the webinar, visit http://www.emil.gatech.edu/lalwebinar/.

Additional discussion topics on Latin American and Central American supply chain and logistics will include:

--Business efficiency, economic performance and the need for competition

--Ocean and air freight capacities

--Regional logistics hubs, their benefits, services and legal requirements

--Free trade agreements

"This webinar offers several examples of trends in supply chain management and logistics from seasoned experts," said Dr. John Vande Vate, executive director of the EMIL program. "For instance, the panel will share a real-world case study that addresses the expansion of the largest retailer of family footwear in the Western Hemisphere in Central and South America. This expansion required the support of an experienced partner to prevail in the region."

With the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement now in place and with Peru and Columbia both recently signing free trade agreements with the U.S., Latin America is continuing to increase its role in international logistics, added Vande Vate.

This webinar is one in a series recently announced by EMIL. Each webinar covers such topics as supply chain management, international logistics and global manufacturing. Each one-hour webinar is presented live and features experts in international business and supply chain management. Manufacturing Business Technology is a co-marketing partner of the webinar series.

About EMIL

EMIL (www.emil.gatech.edu) is the first advanced degree offered which combines the growing field of global logistics with business management. EMIL blends top-notch engineering faculty with world-class management faculty and best of breed industry practices to create a unique educational opportunity offering concrete business deliverables. This unique 18-month master's program keeps key employees on-the-job while teaching them practical techniques for decreasing logistics costs and improving supply chain efficiencies. Taught using an executive format, EMIL participants meet for two weeks of intensive courses per semester (convening in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Miami, Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands and Atlanta) and participate through distance learning alternatives during the remainder of the semester.