We just wrapped up our 2016 Tideworks Customer Conference and I could not be happier. I could use a little more Seattle brewed coffee, but holy smokes did we have a great time!
The setting was absolutely stunning. We hunkered down for two days in the Bell Harbor Conference Center with the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound as our backdrop and the downtown Seattle waterfront as our playground.
Our customers are the most creative, encouraging clients I have ever known. From the moment we sat down to hear an enthusiastic “Welcome,” from Tideworks President Mike Schwank you just knew everyone was there to make the most of our time together. And did we have presentations by some amazing presenters, or what?!? The presenter list read like a Who’s Who in the intermodal and container terminal industry.
Knud Stubkjaer, Chief Strategic Officer and CEO – Carrix, Inc.
Paul Avery, Editor – World Cargo News
John Wolfe, CEO – Northwest Seaport Alliance
Carlos Urriola, Senior Vice President – Carrix, Inc.
Gary Van Tassel, Director of Operations Planning & Network Design – CSX Intermodal Terminals
Scott Hernandez, General Director Hub Operations – BNSF Railway
Our conference theme was “Navigating the Technology Landscape Together.” With that in mind we were thrilled to also include speakers from outside our industry to give us a glimpse of the future beyond the focus of our own Tideworks Technology lens. We learned about virtual currencies, blockchain data structures, smart contracts and how new technologies coupled with social media are reimagining the technology landscape of one of Seattle’s most recognizable landmarks, the Space Needle.
And then there was Tideworks. It was time for our attendees to hold on to their hats. I don’t recall a setting where we have unveiled so many new products, services and new technologies in a star-studded, two-day event. Our Tideworks Product Engineering and IT presenters were en fuego! I won’t steal their thunder here and will instead encourage you to stay tuned to this blog, our Tideworks newsletters and Company Newsflashes for more details. We’ve been rather busy the last three years.
Of course, the conference wasn’t all work. The famous September Seattle weather did not disappoint and provided the perfect sunset floor show to our rooftop cocktail party on the first evening of the conference. The final official night left everyone with their jaws firmly on the floor. We were welcomed to dinner, drinks, a jazz combo and artistic magic under the shadow of the Space Needle at the world famous Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. All I can say is that venue is stunning. Absolutely stunning. Next time you’re in Seattle, do all you can to make a little side trip over to that showcase of amazing Seattle artistic talent.
Friday we cheered as our beloved Seattle Mariners lost traction in the wild card race and Saturday it was time to “Sailgate” over to the University of Washington football game at Husky Stadium. That game had a much better outcome.
I couldn’t write this little customer conference recap without a special call out to our conference sponsors; Zebra, ABB, Buckeye Mountain, HarborTech Mobility, Mi-Jack and Orbcomm; you understand our missions in this industry are bigger than any one organization. To you, our customers near and far, thank you for your partnership. We’re here for you now and look forward to doing it all again three years from now in Seattle.
What Terrific Celebration by all!