GNC, FedEx Supply Chain and Sysco named NextGen End User award winners

Each year, the NextGen Supply Chain End User Awards recognize companies that are setting the pace for innovation across key supply chain technologies. These awards celebrate organizations that are not just adopting new tools, but using them in transformative ways that deliver measurable impact and set a benchmark for the industry.

This year’s winners will accept on stage at the 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference, taking place Oct. 22–24 at the W Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee. The End User Award winners are:

Artificial Intelligence: FedEx Supply Chain

FedEx Supply Chain is being recognized with the Artificial Intelligence Award for application of AI to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and create smarter, more resilient logistics networks.

Accepting the award for FedEx will be Liz Koziol, senior vice president-operations, FedEx Supply Chain.

Digital Transformation: Sysco

Sysco is being recognized with the Digital Transformation award for its efforts to embed intelligence into every process through its SAGE enterprise AI ecosystem that integrates reusable agents, clean data, and cloud-agnostic infrastructure to accelerate decisions, cut costs, and enhance customer experiences.

Accepting the award for Sysco will be Randy Tarantino, global technology director of innovation & technology strategy, Sysco.

Robotics: GNC

GNC is being recognized for the Robotics Award as a result of deployment of autonomous warehouse robotics that improve inventory accuracy, accelerate audits, and free up staff to focus on service and fulfillment.

Accepting the award for GNC will be Bill Monk, vice president, supply chain-distribution & transportation, GNC.

Diamond Sponsor Zion Solutions Group is the sponsor of all NextGen Supply Chain Conference awards, including the End User Awards.

Conference registration is now ongoing. Shippeo is a Gold Sponsor and Hai Robotics, TGW, Cycle Labs, Grey Orange, AutoScheduler and Imaginnovate are Silver Sponsors. Bronze Sponsors include Corvus Robotics, enVista, Gnosis Freight and Herowear. Associate sponsors are Arvist, Loadsmart, and Pelican Robotics.

In addition to accepting the awards, each company representative will participate in a panel discussion, further exploring the technologies they are using to optimize their supply chains.

The NextGen Supply Chain End User Awards recognize companies that exemplify excellence in the implementation of next-generation supply chain technologies. These awards are not open to applications; instead, honorees are carefully selected through a recommendation and evaluation process led by our distinguished advisory board.

To register, visit NextGen Supply Chain Conference

Award recipients represent best-in-class use of transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital transformation. Each honored organization is recognized for its leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing supply chain performance through strategic technology adoption.

NextGen will also honor three companies with Solution Provider Awards. Those are:

Artificial Intelligence: Quickcode.ai

Digital Transformation: Easy Metrics

Robotics: Corvus Robotics

The Startup Award will be given to Dexory.

Lisa Drane, director of procurement supply innovation, logistics and warehouse, for Diageo, will accept the Visionary Award before delivering her Thursday afternoon Keynote address.

Keynotes set the stage

The conference opens with Val Marchevsky, EVP & CTO of Uber Freight, delivering the Thursday morning keynote, “Reimagining Logistics with AI: Turning Intelligence into Action.” Marchevsky will detail how AI is transforming logistics. On Friday, Todd Stillwell, vice president of supply chain and manufacturing for Dole Packaged Foods will deliver Friday morning’s keynote presentation. Stillwell will share how the company is scaling its mid-size CPG supply chain for innovation and growth by leveraging flexible manufacturing, streamlined logistics, and data-driven forecasting.

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.

The W Hotel is extending the discounted group hotel rate for three days before and three days after the event (subject to room availability), allowing attendees the opportunity to explore Nashville at the special conference rate.

Networking in Music City

From rooftop receptions to collaborative small-group sessions, the event offers unmatched opportunities to connect with peers, partners, and potential collaborators.

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

Register to attend now

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