ECA MarketPlace is a Must-Attend Delivery Industry Tradeshow
ECA MarketPlace is endorsed as a must-attend delivery industry tradeshow by Mike Holland, Senior Director of Domestic Logistics for retailer Five Below. “At Five Below, it is important for us to have a diverse pool of [carrier] partners that we can
collaborate with. As a dynamic retailer, we are always strategically planning and anticipating the changing needs of our business. ECA MarketPlace is the perfect format for us to do so. We can meet with carriers and build relationships today that we will put in place immediately and others that we will call on years from now,” said Mike.
How Does ECA MarketPlace Match Shipper-Carrier Partnerships?
ECA MarketPlace matches shippers like Five Below with local, regional, and specialized carriers in a “speed-dating” style two days – what ECA calls the 48 in 48. Shippers have an opportunity in advance to review the profiles of 350+ ECA member carrier companies and rate them. Because the carriers are ECA members, they are vetted and qualified to meet the freight transportation needs of attending shippers. The carriers undergo the same rating process, and an algorithmic matching program sets the shipper-carrier meeting schedules for the show.
What Makes ECA MarketPlace Successful for Shippers and Carriers?
Over two days of meetings, shippers remain at their tables, and carriers follow
a meeting agenda and rotate to pre-set 12-minute meetings with shippers. These shipper-carrier meetings cut right to the chase.
ECA MarketPlace is successful in forming shipper-carrier partnerships because:
- Shippers have indicated they want to meet the carrier based on the carrier’s profiles.
- There’s no cold calling for the carriers or trying to “break the ice.”
- Small talk is not necessary. Shippers and carriers enjoy getting right down to business in the 12-minute curated meetings.
The shippers want to meet qualified carriers, and ECA MarketPlace provides a format for this. It’s that simple.
What are the Top Reasons Shippers and Carriers Attend ECA MarketPlace?
Over the twenty-eight years of ECA MarketPlace, countless long-lasting, productive, and fruitful relationships have formed in the interest of transportation procurement.
The top three reasons for carriers to attend MarketPlace are:
- Shippers are there for transportation procurement.
- Shippers see a carrier profile and pre-select carriers for meetings.
- Shipper-carrier meetings are direct and to the point. No wasted time.
The top three reasons for shippers to attend ECA MarketPlace are:
- Shippers get VIP treatment with $1,000 in incentives and their own hospitality suite.
- Shippers create enduring Carrier-Shipper partnerships.
- Transportation procurement is a win with 48 meetings in 48 hours with qualified local, regional, and specialized carriers across the nation.
ECA MarketPlace 2025 is happening April 28 – 30 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. As Mike said, it’s a perfect format for Five Below to meet the changing needs of their business. For carriers, the ECA MarketPlace is a must-attend event to meet shippers eager to procure transportation solutions. Registration closes March 28th. Act now to secure your seat at the table.
