The Evolution of Learning Labs
Since their inception in 2017, the TIA Learning Labs have become an integral and innovative part of the TIA Capital Ideas Conferences, offering attendees the opportunity to engage in dynamic, 30-minute educational sessions.
These Learning Labs have evolved from a handful of experimental offerings into a staple of the TIA Conference experience. In 2024, the Learning Labs expanded significantly, demonstrating TIA’s ongoing commitment to providing members and attendees with impactful, relevant and interactive education in the ever-changing world of freight and logistics.
A Look Back: The Origins and Growth of TIA Learning Labs
The journey of the TIA Learning Labs began as an attempt to create a more engaging and interactive alternative to the traditional conference breakout sessions. Recognizing that busy professionals often struggle to carve out time for lengthy educational seminars, TIA introduced these 30-minute sessions in 2017 to provide concise, high-impact learning experiences.
The format was an immediate success, with attendees appreciating the fast-paced and focused nature of the labs. Designed to cover specific, practical topics in a relatively short amount of time, Learning Labs enabled attendees to absorb key insights without the need for extended commitment. This approach proved particularly valuable for logistics professionals, who often have demanding schedules and require actionable insights to take back to their businesses.
As the freight and logistics industry continued to evolve, so did the Learning Labs. TIA has kept pace with industry trends, regularly refreshing the content and inviting thought leaders, experts and innovators to share their insights. Over time, the scope and scale of these labs have expanded, reflecting the growing complexity and challenges within the transportation and logistics sector.
TIA Learning Labs Today: A Cornerstone of the Conference
In 2025, the TIA Learning Labs are more prominent than ever. This year, a total of 39 Learning Lab sessions are being offered across three distinct tracks, providing a wide array of topics and speakers to meet the diverse needs of attendees.
Each session is held in an intimate setting, with roughly 20 or more attendees per session, encouraging interaction and allowing for in-depth discussions between speakers and participants. This format allows for personalized learning experiences and fosters greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing among peers.
A Glimpse Into the 2025 Learning Labs: What to Expect
This year’s Learning Labs offer an exciting lineup of speakers and topics, designed to address current industry challenges, operational strategies and best practices. Here’s a snapshot of some of the standout sessions:
Build Your Best Carrier Base
Explore mitigating fraud by optimizing carrier utilization, maximizing the potential of your preferred carriers, identifying cost savings opportunities with your network, and understanding the true cost of engaging with one-time-use carriers.
Property Broker Road-Blocks
Review routine events that can cause general aggravation, prevent growth, and stop daily operations in their tracks for property brokers. Gain valuable insights on efficiently navigating complicated requests or events that can prevent property brokers from focusing on moving freight.
Effective Management in Freight Claims
Delve into key freight claims challenges facing brokers and the legal and practical considerations for resolving them. Topics include handling tracking shutdowns after load pickup, recourse for carriers denying claims or failing to provide refrigeration downloads or inspections and navigating customer payment demands before claim document submission.
Attendees will explore effective claims management tools, practical solutions, and legal support to address these issues. The session emphasizes collaborative discussion, enabling participants to share experiences, identify emerging challenges and leverage collective expertise. Brokers will leave equipped with actionable strategies to enhance their claims processes, mitigate risks and improve operational outcomes.
The Future of TIA Learning Labs
The Learning Labs have not only grown in number but also in significance. They reflect TIA’s commitment to staying at the forefront of the freight and logistics industry, continuously adapting to the needs of its members. As the industry faces increasing pressures, from supply chain disruptions to technological advancements, these learning sessions provide a much-needed platform for professionals to stay informed, exchange ideas and improve their skills.
Moreover, the intimate format of the Learning Labs ensures that attendees can engage deeply with the content and connect with industry experts, unlike larger panel sessions. This interaction fosters an environment of collaboration and community, which is crucial in an industry where networking and relationship-building are essential to success.
Conclusion: A Dynamic, Must-Attend Feature of the TIA Conference
As we look to the future, the TIA Learning Labs are poised to remain a core feature of TIA Conferences. The expansion of these sessions reflects TIA’s understanding of the evolving educational needs of its attendees. With the freight and logistics industry continuing to experience rapid changes, the Learning Labs offer a critical opportunity for professionals to stay ahead of the curve, gain valuable insights, and implement strategies that can drive their businesses forward.
The 2025 TIA Conference reflects how far the Learning Labs have come, and how much further they can go. Whether you’re interested in learning about effective management of freight claims, building a stronger carrier base, or exploring the future of AI in logistics, there is something for everyone in this year’s lineup. Don’t miss out on the chance to participate in these engaging, fast-paced sessions that are shaping the future of the industry, we look forward to seeing you in a Learning Lab!
Mascarenhas is the senior manager of TIA’s Education Department. To learn more about TIA’s education offerings both online and at conference, contact Mascarenhas at mascarenhas@tianet.org.
