With its proximity to the Port of Virginia and major highways, Suffolk has become a hot spot for the logistics industry.

So it’s no surprise that the Hampton Roads LogistXGames have been held here since the very first ones six years ago and keep coming back.

For better or for worse, the logistics industry is pretty well established in Suffolk. Distribution centers and logistics companies abound, providing lots of tax revenue and jobs. Unfortunately, they also provide lots of truck and train traffic that impacts Suffolk drivers just trying to go about their daily lives. Most folks in Suffolk have resigned themselves to taking the bad with the good.

But it was all good at the LogistXGames last Thursday at Bridgeway Commerce Center III on Harbour View Boulevard. The team- and industry-building exercise brought together 10 teams from local and regional companies to showcase the importance of the industry and recognize employers in the region.

Teams competed in fun challenges that showed off their skills, including packing fragile materials, stacking pallets, moving pallet jacks and matching codes to labels.

The teams also participated in challenges that were pure fun, like a putting contest, a box-decorating contest and team spirit contest.

Target won first place on the day once again, with Keurig Dr Pepper coming in second and Givens coming in third.

Most importantly, the event raised about $20,000 with the help of nearly 30 sponsors. The proceeds will go toward workforce development scholarships at Paul D. Camp Community College and Tidewater Community College, ensuring local young people are prepared to take advantage of the jobs offered by these companies.

“We love logistics,” said Lang Williams, senior vice president at Colliers International and one of the co-founders of the LogistXGames. “This is why we organize this event. It’s important for our country, for our state, for our region and for our port, and there’s a lot of great supporters here that make this happen.”

Regardless what one thinks of the impact of the logistics industry on Suffolk, it’s hard not to see the positive outcomes of this event. We hope to see it return next year.