No slides, no pitch decks, no safety nets. In this rapid-fire session, three technology partners must solve a randomly generated supply chain disaster (e.g., "A port strike just hit LA/LB") live on stage. They have 5 minutes to demonstrate exactly how their platforms communicate, integrate, and solve the problem in real-time. Surprise demos to be announced...

This session leans into how women leaders are shaping the future of supply chain and logistics through ownership, accountability, and execution. Panelists will discuss leading high-impact teams, influencing enterprise strategy, and managing complex operations in an increasingly data-driven environment. The conversation will explore what it takes to operate at scale and drive measurable outcomes that will define the next generation of supply chain leadership.

"Free trade" is dead; "managed trade" is the new reality. This session moves beyond global theory to the immediate impact of 2026 US trade policy. Tariffs are no longer limited to a single region; they are a global reality affecting imports from Vietnam, India, and beyond. We discuss how to adapt sourcing strategies and manage compliance costs in an environment where duties can shift unexpectedly across any trade lane.

Last year the question was whether AI was overhyped. This year the focus is on money. Companies are investing in real automation, not experimental features. With Eric Johnson returning to cut through the noise, this session examines where supply chain teams are actually allocating their AI budgets and why.

Cargo theft has evolved from cutting locks to sophisticated digital identity fraud. Is the answer in better digital vetting or better physical sensors? This session exposes how thieves are using AI to impersonate carriers on load boards and provides a defense-in-depth strategy to verify who is moving your freight, not just where it is.

Traditional forecasting relies heavily on historical ERP data and previous years' trends. This session examines the shift toward "outside-in" planning, where internal data is augmented with real-time external signals—such as port congestion, upstream production delays, and labor risks. We discuss how to integrate these indicators to adjust lead times and inventory planning before a disruption impacts the P&L.