On December 11th, Logistics Plus Linguistic Solutions (LPLS) hosted its first annual Language Summit at the Logistics Plus Global Headquarters in Erie, PA. The summit consisted of introductions to the LPLS team, three main topics and areas of concern (details below), a Q & A session, an optional tour of Logistics Plus, and a complimentary lunch from The Brewerie at Union Station. In addition to the scheduled events, the LPLS team handed out t-shirts, phone chargers, and other items for the guests in attendance.
The three main topics covered during the summit were:
1.) Demographics of Erie County and the Surrounding Areas The opening topic of the 2019 Language Summit began with a discussion regarding the demographics of Erie County. The approximate population of immigrants and refugees in Erie County is 20,000 people, while the approximate population for immigrants in Pennsylvania is 837,000. The LPLS team noted that they provided services for 33 different languages in the past 24 months within a 90-mile radius of Erie.
2.) Industry Standards and the Accreditation Process Common industry standards for the State of Pennsylvania were the next topic discussed following the demographics conversation. The LPLS team elaborated on all the different certifications and testing required to become a certified linguist. The ten standards for performance and professional responsibility for LPLS interpreters are:
Accuracy and Completeness
Representation of Qualifications
Impartiality, Conflicts of Interest, and Remuneration and Gifts
Professional Demeanor
Confidentiality
Restriction of Public Comment
Scope of Practice (No Medial/Legal Advice or Personal Opinions)
Assessing and Reporting Impediments to Performance
Duty to Report Ethical Violations
Assume Nothing and Ask When in Doubt
3.) Addressing Provider Concerns and Issues Facing the Community The final topic of the Language Summit focused on how LPLS differs from other language service providers and how they meet the needs of their clients. The team covered provider concerns such as no-show appointments, patient choice, cultural sensitivities, common community goals, and budgetary requirements.
The Logistics Plus Linguistic Solutions team would like to thank everyone who attended and participated in our inaugural Language Summit. The LPLS team hopes to make this an annual event, and expand the summit moving forward. Stay tuned for updates regarding next year’s event. Photos from the first annual summit can be seen below.
Best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year from the entire Logistics Plus team! As a reminder, our U.S. operations will be closed for the holidays on December 24th and 25th, and on January 1st.
If you worked with us this past year, we thank you for being our customer, carrier, partner, or agent — please tell us how we’re doing.
In case you missed it, Matt Bosko, a Logistics Specialist, was featured in a recent airing of Business Spotlight on WPSE AM 1450/FM 107.1 Radio. Business Spotlight is a 30-minute program airing Fridays at noon. Each segment focuses on a business or organization that is making an impact across the region.
In this segment, Matt discusses his career path at Logistics Plus, his current role for the company, product roll-outs, and more. You can listen to a replay of the interview on the Logistics Plus YouTube Channel below.
Members of the Logistics Plus China team recently attended a three day international transportation conference. From December 6th to 8th, the LP China team participated in the 2019 Zhejiang International Intelligent Transportation Industry Expo, the Future Transportation Conference 2019, and the Yangtze River Delta Region Comprehensive Transportation Development Forum. All three events were hosted at the Hangzhou International Exhibition Center. For the duration of the conference, Logistics Plus was proudly displayed with an international enterprise exhibition area and branded booth.
At the conference, Logistics Plus was recognized as a leading freight forwarder due to its wide-range of capabilities and service offerings. The Logistics Plus China team welcomed and held numerous meetings with companies located across Zhejiang province, and built good relationships for future business opportunities. One major person of note, the Principal of Transportation and Communication, visited the Logistics Plus booth to express his gratitude to the team and to invite Logistics Plus to participate again next year.
Photos from the three day conference can be seen below.
Gretchen Blough, Licensed Customs Broker and Brokerage Manager for Logistics Plus, was featured on a recent airing of the Marketplace podcast hosted by National Public Radio (NPR). Gretchen has made several appearances on Marketplace Podcast in the past year due to her unique insight into the ongoing U.S. trade wars and tariff changes. In the latest segment, Gretchen commented on the continuous tariff and trade war uncertainties consumers have.
Marketplace® is on a mission to raise the economic intelligence of the country. Its core programs — Marketplace®, Marketplace Morning Report®, Marketplace Tech® and Corner Office® — are broadcast on more than 800 public radio stations nationwide and heard by over 14 million listeners every week.
In case you missed the first month update, Pieterjan (PJ) De Smedt, a close friend of Global Project Manager Frederik Geirnaert, set sail with his family of five on a trip from Greece to Australia. After hearing about this journey, Logistics Plus offered to equip his ship with one of our own tracking devices to showcase our tracking and visibility capabilities.
Month 2 Update: This month, the dauntless crew of the Vite-et-Reves crossed the western Mediterranean Sea. Crossing the sea in this case meant playing a constant game of hide and seek with thunderstorms. When mother nature called, the crew took cover for each storm and tried to make the best of it by visiting historic places or doing mundane chores such as washing clothes, repairing the ship, or shopping for groceries.
The second month of this long voyage (tracked by Logistics Plus) saw the crew travel from Sicily to Sardinia, and then on to Menorca and the party island that is Ibiza. Pictures from month two of their adventure can be seen below.
On December 11th, Logistics Plus Linguistic Solutions (LPLS) hosted its first annual Language Summit at the Logistics Plus Global Headquarters in Erie, PA. The summit consisted of introductions to the LPLS team, three main topics and areas of concern (details below), a Q & A session, an optional tour of Logistics Plus, and a complimentary lunch from The Brewerie at Union Station. In addition to the scheduled events, the LPLS team handed out t-shirts, phone chargers, and other items for the guests in attendance.
Best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year from 
Members of the 
Gretchen Blough
In case you missed the 