Fresh off a week in Phoenix at the National Postal Forum, Alex Newell, Postal Affairs Associate Director at Production Solutions, shares a few observations, insights, and memorable moments from one of the mailing industry’s biggest events of the year.
Last week, a delegation from Production Solutions (PS) and the Moore companies joined thousands of industry professionals in Phoenix for this year’s National Postal Forum (NPF). It remains the premier event for the postal industry, bringing together the people who produce mail and the USPS employees who move it. Whether you’re new to mailing or a seasoned veteran looking ahead, NPF offers something for everyone, from the opening ceremony led by our new Postmaster General (PMG) to the closing celebration Wednesday night.
Our new PMG made several appearances throughout the week, greeting exhibitors on the expo hall floor and taking time to connect with many attendees. Going in, I expected USPS finances to dominate the conversation, especially after his recent Mailer’s Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) appearances. While he acknowledged that cost-cutting alone will not stabilize the USPS, his overall tone felt refreshingly collaborative, with frequent repetition of the line “our performance drives your success.” He focused heavily on improved service standards through network enhancements and technology tied to predictive arrival times, route optimization, and fraud detection. What stood out most was the forward-looking tone and lighter emphasis on cash flow challenges.
Carolyn Angelini, VP of Resource and Postal Affairs at PS, and I spent much of the week in education sessions, where Artificial Intelligence was one of the hottest topics at the conference. We learned how AI is being integrated into logistics and distribution, from sorting and routing to last-mile delivery planning. One of my favorite sessions (especially as a weather geek!) focused on using AI to predict the operational impact of major weather events. Presenters walked through how USPS used predictive modeling during winter storm “Fern” to help restore delivery across 167 million affected delivery points. I know I wasn’t the only one wondering how the rest of us can get access to tools like that!
Of course, no Postal Forum is complete without time on the exhibit hall floor, building new relationships and strengthening existing ones. This year, a record 213 organizations showcased products and services, reinforcing how interconnected our industry really is. Some of the best conversations happen unexpectedly, and I’m looking forward to continuing discussions with long-time partners and a few new connections (and maybe getting a refresher on a few late-night conversations along the way).
Thank you to Production Solutions and our Moore family for supporting us at this year’s National Postal Forum. It’s always valuable to step away, learn from others in the industry, and bring new ideas back to our teams. And a special thanks to everyone back in the office who kept things moving while we were across the country. We’re already looking forward to Orlando next year – hope to see you there!
