Dole, Walmart among leading CPG and consumer companies to present at 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference

The 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference is spotlighting the consumer packaged goods sector as one of its four core focus areas, bringing leading brands and innovators to Nashville this fall.
Consumer-focused companies are navigating unprecedented headwinds, yet remain at the forefront of supply chain transformation. At this year’s event, executives from Dole Packaged Foods, Walmart, Kohler, Gap, Our Home, GNC, The Emerson Group, and others will share how they are innovating with AI, automation, and strategic partnerships to build resilience and deliver growth.

Led by a keynote from Todd Stillwell, VP of Supply Chain & Manufacturing at Dole Packaged Foods, the CPG track will highlight how mid-size supply chains are being scaled for innovation and customer value. Sessions will cover everything from automation-driven WMS improvements at Kohler, to last-mile delivery innovations at Walmart, to resilience strategies from Our Home and The Emerson Group.

The 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference, taking place October 22–24 at the W Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee, will bring together more than 50 senior executives and thought leaders from across the supply chain ecosystem. This year’s program offers a dynamic mix of keynote presentations, awards recognition, and deep-dive breakout sessions designed to showcase how leading companies are transforming their supply chains with next-generation technologies and strategies.

The entire event kicks off with an evening reception on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

CPG session speakers

Thursday, October 23

8:00 a.m. CT – End User Awards

Moderator: Drew Eubank, Zion Solutions Group

Robotics: Bill Monk, VP, Supply Chain–Distribution & Transportation, GNC

Artificial Intelligence: Liz Koziol, SVP Operations, FedEx Supply Chain

Digital Transformation: Randy Tarantino, Global Technology Director, Innovation & Technology Strategy, Sysco

10:05 a.m. CT – Fireside Chat

Speaker: Timothy M. Egan, Senior Director, Warehousing & Logistics, Our Home

Moderator: Brian Straight, Editor in Chief, Supply Chain Management Review

Session title: Fueling Hypergrowth: Building a Resilient Supply Chain at Our Home

Session description: Learn how Our Home’s logistics strategy supported rapid M&A expansion and organic growth while overcoming scaling hurdles and sustaining a culture of resilience.

11:00 a.m. CT (Room 1) – Presentation

Speakers: Ian Johnston, VP Customer Success, AutoScheduler, and Kellanova Kandi Crowe, Senior Director Customer Distribution

Session title: From Firefighting to Forward Planning: A Fireside Chat with Kellanova

Session description: Join this on-stage conversation with the Sr. Director of Customer Distribution at Kellanova, Kandi Crowe, as she shares Kellanova’s journey to proactive planning. Discover what triggered the search for a new approach, why AutoScheduler stood out, lessons from implementation, and the measurable results that transformed their operations.

11:00 a.m. CT (Room 3) – Presentation

Speakers: Josh Owen, Founder & Chairman, Cycle Labs, and Jonathon Crafton, Systems Architect, Kohler Co.

Session title: Test Automation: The Key for Improved Speed and Quality of WMS Implementations

Session description: How Kohler used Cycle® Test Automation to accelerate and enhance its Blue Yonder WMS implementation.

11:00 a.m. CT (Room 4) – Presentation

Speakers: Jeff Rhodes, Director of Sales, TGW Logistics, and Eric Formanek, Senior Director MHE, GAP

Session title: The Power of Partnership – How GAP Found an Automation Solutions Partner with TGW Logistics

Session description: Discover how GAP overcame operational challenges and achieved scalable success through partnership with TGW.

2:45 p.m. CT – Panel

Moderator: Douglas Kent, EVP, ASCM

Panelists: Sri Thirumalia, Director of Last Mile, Walmart; Scott DeGroot, University of Tennessee; Girish Gupta, Director Supply Chain, Guardian Drug Company.

Session title: Winning the Last Mile: Strategies for Customer-Centric Delivery

Session description: Join Douglas Kent and three industry experts as they discuss the state of the last-mile delivery market and how brands can take advantage of current trends and the macroenvironment to deliver for their customers.

Friday, October 24

8:30 a.m. CT – Keynote

Speaker: Todd Stillwell, VP Supply Chain & Manufacturing, Dole Packaged Foods

Session title: Scaling Mid-size CPG Supply Chains for Growth & Innovation

Session description: How Dole leverages flexible manufacturing, streamlined logistics, and data-driven forecasting to drive efficiency and innovation.

9:00 a.m. CT – Panel

Moderator: Lucy Alexander, Advisor, KeyChain Consulting

Panelists: Laura Wilkin, Board Director, GXO Logistics; Liz Koziol, Senior Vice President Operations, FedEx Supply Chain; Tatiana Freire, Senior Director, NA Supply Chain Excellence, Kenvue

Session title: Leading through Change: How Supply Chain Leaders Are Tackling Today’s Biggest Challenges

Session description: Supply chain executives face unusual challenges today -- rapidly evolving disruptions and changes, the pressing need to harness the power of AI, and the constant imperative to keep their organizations engaged, energized and resilient, to name just a few. In this dynamic conversation, three leaders will share how they’re navigating these questions —from the strategic decisions needed to implement AI successfully at scale, to leading teams through both planned transformations and the daily unpredictability that is the badge of the supply chain professional.

11:25 a.m. CT – Presentation

Speakers: Patrick Gibbons, President, The Emerson Group, and Nura Kruciak, SVP, Client Services, GEODIS

Session ttile: Secrets to Success: How to Achieve Scalability With Your 3PL

Session description: Lessons from a 20+ year Emerson–GEODIS partnership on how CPG brands can scale and stay competitive.

Which companies will be featured across all tracks?

In addition to life sciences and healthcare, the agenda includes speakers from:

• 3PL/Logistics: Uber Freight, C.H. Robinson, Maersk, Kenco
• Consumer goods & CPG: Dole Packaged Foods, Walmart, Kohler
• Technology & consulting: IBM Consulting, Moody’s, KeyChain Consulting, Guardian Drug Company

The full list of speakers and session titles and descriptions is available on the agenda, located here.

What keynotes are scheduled?

Thursday morning keynote

Speaker: Val Marchevsky, EVP & CTO, Uber Freight

Session title: Reimagining Logistics with AI: Turning Intelligence into Action

Thursday afternoon Visionary keynote

Speaker: Lisa Drane, director of procurement supply innovation at Diageo.

Description: Visionary Keynote

Friday morning keynote

Speaker: Todd Stillwell, VP Supply Chain & Manufacturing, Dole Packaged Foods

Session title: Scaling for Innovation and Growth with Flexible Manufacturing and Data-Driven Forecasting

Other companies featured across focus areas

In addition to the CPG track, the conference will feature speakers and sessions across all four focus areas:

• 3PL/Logistics: Uber Freight, Maersk, RXO, C.H. Robinson, Kenco
• Life sciences/Healthcare: Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Regeneron, Imbed Biosciences, Medline
• Food & Beverage: Sysco, Diageo, IFMA, Chairmans Foods, Allegro Fine Foods
• Consumer Packaged Goods: Dole Packaged Foods, Walmart, Kohler, Gap, Our Home, GNC

Conference registration is now ongoing.

Who are the 2025 NextGen Award Winners?

Visionary Award

Diageo

End User Awards

• Artificial Intelligence: FedEx Supply Chain
• Digital Transformation: Sysco
• Robotics: GNC

Solution Provider Awards

• Artificial Intelligence: Quickcode.ai
• Digital Transformation: Easy Metrics
• Robotics: Corvus Robotics

Startup Award

Dexory

To register, visit NextGen Supply Chain Conference

Networking and sponsorship opportunities

The W Nashville is offering group hotel rates (three days before and after the event, subject to availability). Networking highlights include rooftop receptions, entertainment and small-group discussions.

Sponsors include:

• Diamond: Zion Solutions Group; Dematic; Warehouse on Wheels
• Gold: Shippeo
• Silver: Hai Robotics, TGW Logistics, Cycle Labs, GreyMatter by GreyOrange, AutoScheduler, Imaginnovate, eSoft Labs
• Bronze: Corvus Robotics, enVista, Gnosis Freight, Herowear
• Associate: Arvist, Loadsmart, Pelican Robotics, Made4Net, Third Wave Automation

Attendees will also hear from leaders at companies including Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Kenco, Kohler, Maersk, Medline, Blue Tiger International, IBM Consulting, Moody’s, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, GAP, Kenvue, Imbed Biosciences, C.H. Robinson and more. A full list of speakers is available here. The agenda can be found here.

Now in its seventh year, the NextGen Supply Chain Conference brings together senior executives, thought leaders, and technology innovators to explore the future of supply chain management. With a program featuring keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and the annual NextGen Supply Chain Awards, the event spotlights the technologies and strategies shaping tomorrow’s supply chains.

Registration and the full agenda are available at NextGenSupplyChainConference.com.

Register to attend now

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