The North Carolina State Ports Authority is ramping up for its 2024 Cold Chain Summit, a pivotal event set to commence on April 18 at Hotel Ballast on North Water Street. This annual conference is a beacon for growth and innovation within the cold storage and supply chain industry across the state, drawing attention to the significant advancements and investments in this sector.
Industry Leaders and Innovators to Take the Stage
The summit will feature a diverse panel of speakers, including venture capitalists, economic developers, and cold supply chain executives, who will share their insights and experiences. The “Economic Development Momentum” panel, focusing on industry investment, will include notable figures such as Scott Satterfield, CEO of Wilmington Business Development; Chris Ramm of Ramm Capital Partners; Mike Massardo of Edgewater Ventures; and Scott Pertel, CEO of Cold Summit Development. These discussions aim to shed light on expanding cold gateways and operations of the future, with more speakers expected to be announced shortly.
Enhancing Cold Chain Infrastructure
A critical component of the summit is the focus on the cold supply chain, which enables the transportation of fresh produce and other goods through the Port of Wilmington while maintaining a refrigerated temperature. North Carolina port officials are actively working on securing infrastructure to support the transport of cold cargo, including cold storage facilities, trade designations, and rail upgrades.
Keynote Speakers and Partnerships
The summit will feature keynote speeches from N.C. State Ports executives, including Executive Director Brian Clark and Chief Commercial Officer Hans Bean, as well as N.C. Chamber of Commerce CEO Gary Salamido and CNBC correspondent Scott Cohn. Highlighting the importance of partnerships, Brian Clark discussed the port’s collaboration with Lewis Nursery and Farms, a cold storage produce company, as a key development in supporting the cold supply chain.
Recent Developments and Future Prospects
In Pender County, Maersk’s subsidiary Performance Team recently completed a cold storage warehouse, which opened on February 12, marking a significant milestone in the region’s cold chain capabilities. Additionally, Cold Summit Development is constructing an approximately 300,000-square-foot cold storage facility on Raleigh Street, further bolstering the state’s cold chain infrastructure.
The 2024 Cold Chain Summit not only highlights the ongoing growth and investment in North Carolina’s cold storage and supply chain industry but also sets the stage for future innovations and developments in this vital sector.
