Meeting/Event Information

PROGRAM:

8:30 – 8:40 am Welcome and USPS News Updates

Speaker: Regina Aikens, Manager, Customer Relations, Illinois District One

Regina Aikens is a senior manager with the USPS. She received her MBA from the University of Chicago. In her decades of experience within the USPS, she has held multiple leadership positions. She is currently the Manager of Customer Relations for all of Illinois District One, under the new district structure announced in 2021.

8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.  USPS's new CONNECT LOCAL program

Chris Vion began his USPS career in May 2010 as a Sales Executive Sr (Shipping) in Northern New Jersey.  He continued his sales career in the roles of Sales Executive Sr, Major Accounts (Shipping), Enterprise Account Director and International Sales Executive, Sr delivering individual performance goals resulting in driving new business growth through problem solving and customer relationship building.  Chris continued to provide support, coaching and guidance to sales personnel in support of maximizing sales revenue, developing sales strategies and implementing field sales processes.  He's driven revenue target achievement through the utilization of sales measurement tools and responsible for the growth and development of employee and customer satisfaction levels consistent with established business methodologies.  These tasks and responsibilities lead Christopher to achieving district quarterly target success; exceeding quarterly targets each and every time as the District Sales Manager of Northern New Jersey 2 beginning October 2018 through September 2021.   Chris presented Negotiation Skills; a shipping breakout session at the 2020 Vision Sales Conference in Orlando, Florida in September and December 2019.  The breakout session showcased how negotiations are influenced by the five business drivers, an overview of the key factors affecting negotiations and a breakdown of the four stages of negotiations.  A graduate of the Managerial Leadership Program (MLP) in 2012, Chris also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Old Dominion University.  He now serves as the Manager, International Partner Sales under Specialized Sales and Team Lead within the national rollout Sales training on Connect Local.  

PROGRAM DESCRIPTON:

The USPS Connect program offers several options to help businesses of all sizes meet growing consumer demand for affordable, fast local, regional and national deliveries and returns:

USPS Connect Local is a new way for local businesses to affordably and quickly reach local customers. It is rolling out in select locations and is already active in Chicago.  USPS Connect Local offers affordable next-day service in all locations, with same-day delivery, Sunday delivery and pickup options in select locations. This offering also includes USPS Connect Local Mail, an affordable First-Class Mail option for documents up to 13 ounces. Businesses can enter USPS Connect Local packages and mail at the receiving dock of the designated postal facility or take advantage of free en-route pickup when their carrier delivers their mail. Free flat-rate bags, boxes and envelopes are available via Click-N-Ship. USPS Connect Regional provides next-day regional entry and delivery of Parcel Select packages and Parcel Select Lightweight packages. Businesses should consult with USPS representatives to identify the entry points and options that work best for them. Most packages will be delivered the next day within a broad specified region.  USPS Connect National provides delivery solutions for businesses of all sizes. They can benefit from the Postal Service’s new mail processing equipment and reconfigured network to receive reliable delivery of packages through First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select Ground and Retail Ground.
USPS Connect Returns is a service for businesses to offer their customers convenient returns, with free en-route pickup by their carrier or drop-off at a nearby Post Office location.

9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.  Consolidated Mail Services 

Pete Jackson is President of the Michigan based firm, Delivery Point Mail Services.  He has been in the mail industry for nearly 30 years and started by manually sorting Canadian mail! He has a wide variety of experience including Operations, Customer Service, Pricing and Sales. He is a member of the board of the Detroit PCC Board and NAPM.   He is a recipient of the USPS Shipping/eCommerce Innovation Award in 2018. He founded Delivery Point Mail in July 2019.           
                                  

PROGRAM DESCRIPTON:

Mail Consolidators work within the USPS network to prepare mail prior to it entering the USPS for final delivery. Through volume processing they optimize delivery times and postage discounts. You can be a smaller mailer, but take advantage of high volume discounts through this innovative hybrid model for parcels, letters and flats! 

The program will provide attendees an overview of mail consolidation. In addition, the program will help attendees understand what are the right type of mailings to partner with a consolidator. Consolidators can provide discounts and logistic support for parcels, letters, and flats. Find out if mail consolidation would help you and your customers.