Message from the Publisher

By Tony Sciarrotta, Reverse Logistics Association

The RLA Advisory Board is easily one of the best of any association in any industry with senior level managers from global retailers, manufacturers, and 3rd Party Solution Partners. We are all focused on sharing best practices and advancing the newest technologies to reduce returns and improve asset recovery. On Sunday, October 20th in Austin, members of the RLA Board met to discuss strategies for 2020 to make the association better and to help continue the revitalization and growth. With a brand new RLA.org website complete, the Board was able to discuss ideas for making the RLA even more of a voice in the industry. The focus of the RLA membership drives will be with retailers who are carrying more of the burden for returns and yet are the least equipped to do anything but liquidate the merchandise in as-is condition in mixed loads. This solution is not the best in a Circular Economy, which the RLA and the Board companies support.

The Board committed to support RLA Summits in Europe and Asia in 2020, and the early indications are that the flagship North America Conference & Expo will be bigger and better than 2019, with keynote speakers announced, panel sessions established, and additional activities being planned. The RLA Conference will again focus on highest quality content from the stage, as all our events do. RLA Board members volunteer their time for the Fireside Chat and the Interactive Roundtables, they supply equipment and products for award drawings, they are also involved in the RLA Industry Awards and the selection of Alliance and Academic Partners as well as supporting the Media Partnerships when RLA speaks at events around the world. Finally, the RLA Board has endorsed the RLA Connect program for warm introductions between member companies.

Get to know the RLA Advisory Board members and be sure to thank them for volunteering to help guide the premier voice in the returns and reverse logistics industry.

Best regards,

Tony Sciarrotta (tony@rla.org)