Speakers
Deadline to Apply to Speak is
May 15th, 2026
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Call for Speakers
NextGen Supply Chain Conference 2026
Is your organization leveraging next-generation technologies such as Agentic AI, advanced analytics, automation, robotics, digital twins, or intelligent orchestration to transform supply chain performance?
Are you leading large-scale operational change across procurement, planning, manufacturing, logistics, or fulfillment?
Or are you researching and advancing how AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making are reshaping supply chain strategy and execution?
If so, we invite you to apply to speak at NextGen Supply Chain Conference 2026.
NextGen is an in-person executive-level event focused on practical transformation where strategy, technology, and operational execution converge. Our 2026 theme, “Innovate. Upskill. Transform,” reflects the urgent need for organizations to modernize not only their systems, but their decision-making models and workforce capabilities.
The conference is structured around four industry-focused tracks:
- Logistics & Fulfillment
- Retail
- Food & Beverage
- Chemicals & Life Sciences
We prioritize real-world case studies over theory, highlighting measurable business outcomes, lessons learned, and the organizational challenges that accompany technology adoption. Preference is given to end-user supply chain leaders and practitioners who can share first-hand implementation experience.
If this is you, we encourage you to apply today.
Abstract Guidelines
Attendees are responsible for the design and management of the end-to-end supply chain. For that reason, we welcome and encourage case study presentations by supply chain executives.
- Please get all necessary approvals from your organization prior to submitting an abstract.
- Abstract topics should be relevant to senior-level supply chain managers responsible for setting the direction of their supply chains.
- Commercial abstracts will not be considered.
- The Advisory Board will consider abstracts touching on the application of emerging technologies to core supply chain processes within our 2026 Focus Areas (Third-Party Logistics & Fulfillment, Retail; Food and Beverage, and Chemicals/Life Sciences), including:
- Talent and workforce management
- Procurement
- Supply chain planning
- Transportation, logistics, and last mile
- Warehousing fulfillment and manufacturing processes
- Supply chain planning, including S&OP
- Control towers – especially tied into digital transformation and transportation and logistics
- Smart manufacturing
- How small-to-mid-size enterprises, including manufacturers, can identify the technologies that can deliver value given their limited budgets and resources
- Closing the gap between technical team members, like data scientists, and supply chain team managers
- Creating a digital center of excellence
Notification of Acceptance
- You will be notified of your acceptance into the technical program by July 1, 2026.
- You will have three (3) business days from when the acceptance e-mail is sent to confirm your participation.
- If we do not receive your confirmation after a follow-up e-mail, we will assume you are no longer interested in participating in the program.
Cancellation Policy
While we understand circumstances arise that may prohibit you from presenting after confirmation, please let us know as soon as possible.
Thank you for your interest in being part of our high-value technical programs. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact bstraight@peerlessmedia.com.
We look forward to seeing you in Nashville October 21 – 23, 2026!
Deadline to Apply to Speak is
May 15th, 2026
Countdown to Deadline
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
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2026 SPEAKERS



Throughout his career, Jay has consistently delivered sustainable cost improvements, strengthened global supplier networks, and enhanced end-to-end supply chain performance in both complex and rapidly evolving environments. His ability to transfer best practices across industries enables him to unlock new efficiencies and drive innovation at scale.
Jay is recognized for shaping and executing supply chain strategies that align with broader business priorities, enabling organizations to drive measurable enterprise value, resilience, and long-term growth. He brings a disciplined, data-driven approach to navigating complexity and transforming supply chains into strategic advantages.


Norman’s core specialty is helping consumer product brands comply with retail and grocery supply chain technical and operational vendor requirements. His efforts reduce financial penalty chargebacks, improve end-to-end performance, and enhance data analysis and reporting. He acts as a dedicated software and supply chain strategic partner with responsibility for retail and grocery B2B-B2C-D2C portfolios of upwards to $60M annual.
Norman is an expert in ERP, X12-EDI, and barcode label/scanning applications including GS1US standards, and FDA FSMA 204 compliance pertaining to retail and grocery compliance. He helps to transform his clients’ relationships with their software partners, contract manufacturers, 3PLs, and customers through clear communications, master data management, and smooth flowing transactions.
Norman is a US and international speaker (60+ presentations) and writer (60+ articles including two peer-reviewed journal submissions), an editorial writer for Supply Chain Management Review since 2023 including the Perfect Order article series, and the author of innovative books “Detecting and Reducing Supply Chain Fraud” (Gower/Routledge, 2012), “Successful Supply Chain Vendor Compliance” (Gower/Routledge, 2016), and “Attack, Parry, Riposte: A Fencer’s Guide To Better Business Execution” (2020).
Norman is an ambidextrous foil and saber fencer, but will fence epee if one is handed to him.

Formerly, Kent was the executive vice president of sales and alliances at ASCM having overseen ASCM’s North American chapters, international training partners, corporate clients, eCommerce and was responsible for growing and strengthening the organization’s strategic collaborations.
Kent has nearly 40 years of transformational advisory and practitioner experience with large multi-national organizations. He specializes in SCOR®-based transformations, supply chain strategy & segmentation, supply chain planning, enterprise risk optimization, and supply chain visibility. As a certified SCOR® master instructor, he has traveled the globe leading workshops, education, and transformational programs.
Kent holds a master’s degree in international business from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Indiana university. His 2024 book, Sustainable Supply Chain Orchestration: Unlearning for a Better Tomorrow has been released as the seminal work on the topic.

Pellathy's professional background includes enterprise risk management and he continues to actively consult with companies across a broad range of issues related to strategic supply chain planning, organizational alignment, supply chain risk management, and end-to-end operational excellence.
Pellathy's research has been published in academic journals including Journal of Business Logistics, Journal of Supply Chain Management, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, and International Journal of Logistics Management. He is also co-author of numerous papers on forward-thinking topics in supply chain management. This work has been featured in practitioner and popular outlets including Supply Chain Quarterly, Supply Chain Management Review, The Conversation, and the Wall Street Journal. He is also co-author of “Advanced Practice Playbook: Right-to-Left Planning” (Great River Learning Publishing, Copyright 2026).


With more than 20 years of supply chain leadership at Target and eight years of service in the U.S. Army Reserves, Eric brings a disciplined, team-first approach to leadership grounded in operational excellence and continuous improvement. Over the course of his career, he has led large-scale distribution operations, start-ups, and multi-million-dollar transformation initiatives that have strengthened Target’s supply chain capabilities and performance. He holds a Master of Science degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Angelo State University.

Colin is recognized as a change agent who drives operational excellence and enterprise transformation by integrating people, process, and technology. At Tractor Supply, he stabilized the supply chain during rapid store growth, scaled operations to support revenue growth from $6.2 billion to over $16 billion, and executed a digital fulfillment strategy that grew e-commerce sales from $100 million to >$1 billion. Colin has also partnered with the board of directors to reduce enterprise risk, increase controls, diversify global sourcing, and is a key architect of the company strategy.
Previously, Colin served as Vice President of Logistics at Neiman Marcus Group, where he led fulfillment transformation. He began his corporate career at Target Corporation, holding multiple leadership roles in distribution operations, domestic transportation, and supply chain systems and strategy. His work included leading optimization programs during the 2008 recession and overseeing network design for new markets. Colin started his career as an officer in the United States Army, serving in reconnaissance and leadership roles. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and inducted into the Order of St. George for contributions to the Armored Cavalry during the Global War on Terror.
Colin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University. He also earned a Certificate in Business Excellence from Columbia University with concentrations in corporate governance, financial valuation, and strategy. He has served on the Federal Maritime Commission’s National Shipper Advisory Committee, the White House Supply Chain Disruption Task Force, and the supply chain leader councils of both the National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

Santosh is a Senior Member of the IEEE and an active contributor to the engineering, power systems, vehicle technology, and logistics communities. He has served as a Grand Judge for Society for Science fairs and regularly reviews technical papers for leading IEEE conferences, including ITEC and CIACON, as well as other international engineering forums.
An accomplished author and inventor, Santosh has published multiple peer reviewed papers indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, authored several books on supply chain, logistics, and transportation systems, and holds patents for logistics devices. His work focuses on transportation systems, power systems engineering, and operational optimization.
Santosh holds a Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Management from California State University, Northridge, and is a frequent speaker at major industry supply chain conferences. Through thought leadership and technical contributions, he provides actionable insights on supply chain resilience, sustainability, and strategic growth in complex industrial environments.
