NextGen 2025: Where supply chain innovation came to life

Supply chain leaders are under more pressure than ever. Rising costs, tariffs, unpredictable demand cycles, and a persistent talent shortage continue to test even the most advanced operations. At the same time, technology is changing the pace of innovation. Artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and analytics aren’t just experiments anymore—they’re being sewn into the very fabric of the modern supply chain.

As companies push to connect systems, boost visibility, and build resilience, the supply chain is evolving into a smarter, more data-driven network. That evolution is at the core of the NextGen Supply Chain Conference, where industry leaders gathered in Nashville to share ideas, learn more and explore what’s next.

Now in its seventh year, the 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 event takes place every October and has been growing steadily since inception in 2019, the very first year it brought together supply chain executives, technology providers, and practitioners to focus on emerging technologies. Each year, the conference attracts an impressive mix of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and logistics professionals who are shaping the next generation of global supply chains.

“NextGen continues to set the standard for forward-looking supply chain dialogue,” said Brian Ceraolo, CEO & president of Peerless Media. “This year’s discussions reflected the urgency and opportunity in front of us, from AI-driven decision-making to resilient operations, and showed how collaboration across the ecosystem will define tomorrow’s leaders.”

Driving the momentum

Held Oct. 22-24 at the W Nashville Hotel, the NextGen Supply Chain Conference moved to a new home this year (from Chicago) and promised a fresh, focused, and future-ready experience for attendees, speakers, and sponsors. With 60-plus speakers, including executives from Johnson & Johnson, FedEx Supply Chain, Eli Lilly, Dole Packaged Foods, Uber Freight, Maersk and Kellanova, the event showcased the technologies and strategies transforming global supply chains.

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

The NextGen Supply Chain Conference’s informative sessions spanned AI, robotics, automation, digital twins, resilience, and sustainability, pairing strategic keynotes with practitioner-led case studies to deliver actionable takeaways attendees can deploy immediately.

Along with its rich educational program, the event offered peer-level networking and sponsor-hosted sessions from innovators including AutoScheduler, Cycle Labs, Hai Robotics, GreyOrange, TGW Logistics, and Warehouse on Wheels. Panel discussions throughout the week highlighted how companies are turning next-generation concepts into operational realities. Executives shared how they’re scaling automation, integrating AI into planning and building resilience into global networks that still face unpredictable demand.

Attendees heard practical advice on aligning people, process, and technology to achieve measurable results. This year’s program also emphasized collaboration across the supply chain ecosystem. Speakers from the manufacturing, logistics, retail, and technology sectors discussed how data sharing, transparency, and partnerships can drive better performance at every level. The event’s diverse, cross-industry mix gave participants a chance to compare strategies and learn from peers facing similar challenges.

Between sessions, attendees connected at networking receptions, solution showcases, and roundtable discussions that encouraged open dialogue. The new Nashville setting brought fresh energy to the event and helped set the stage for a more interactive and community-driven experience.

“There was a real sense of momentum in Nashville this year,” says Ceraolo. “You could feel the energy in every session and hallway conversation. People weren’t just talking about
the future of supply chain; they were building it together.”

Celebrating innovation and excellence

The conference also honored excellence with the 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Awards, sponsored by Zion Solutions Group, recognizing end users, solution providers, and startups advancing digital transformation across global supply chains. For example, FedEx Supply Chain was recognized for its use of AI to improve planning and execution, Sysco for its digital transformation initiatives, and GNC for advancing robotics in its distribution operations.

On the solution provider side, Quickcode.ai was honored for its AI-driven optimization tools, Easy Metrics for digital platforms that improve labor and cost visibility, and Corvus Robotics for robotics solutions that boost efficiency and safety. The Startup Award went to Dexory for its autonomous mobile robots and AI-powered DexoryView platform.

Diageo took home the Visionary Award, which recognizes bold, forward-looking approaches to supply chain transformation. The company has consistently ranked among Gartner’s Top 25 Global Supply Chains and was a finalist in two categories of Gartner’s 2025 Power of the Profession Awards. Diageo is advancing autonomous operations by harnessing digital technologies, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, resilience, and customer experience across its supply chain.

“The Visionary Award recognizes companies that don’t just adapt to the future of supply chain but actively shape it,” says Brian Straight, SCMR’s editor in chief. “Diageo is doing exactly that by demonstrating how digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability can come together to build supply chains that are not only efficient, but also responsible and resilient.”

Fresh thinking. New approaches

For the first time ever, the NextGen Supply Chain Conference featured breakout sessions presented in five 90-minute blocks on Thursday morning, with the sessions duplicated in the afternoon so all attendees could participate in as many sessions as possible. The new format gave participants a chance to dive deep into focused discussions on automation, applied intelligence, strategy, optimization, and operational agility.

Moderated by editors, executives, and consultants from across the industry, the sessions explored topics ranging from AI-powered warehouse orchestration and tariff mitigation to digital procurement and risk management. Speakers from companies like IBM, Kellanova, RXO, Medline, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing shared practical insights on how supply chains of every size are adapting to new technology and global disruption.

The interactive format drew strong engagement from attendees and reflected the event’s goal of stoking even more collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving among attendees. It also mirrored a growing reality across global supply chains: no company can solve these challenges alone. Building resilience now depends on stronger connections across suppliers, technology partners, service providers, and end users.

In fact, as automation, AI, and data continue to converge, collaboration is becoming the new measure of competitiveness. The most successful organizations aren’t just adopting new tools; they’re sharing ideas, aligning goals and breaking down the silos that once defined the field. The NextGen Supply Chain Conference helps them do that. Attendees come to learn, interact, and compare strategies, but they also leave with new ways to strengthen their own operations. Many take what they’ve heard back to their teams to spark fresh thinking, test new approaches, and challenge old assumptions.

Coming next year

Planning is already underway for the 2026 NextGen Supply Chain Conference. Building on the energy of this year’s event in Nashville, Peerless Media and Supply Chain Management Review are preparing another high-impact program that will connect supply chain leaders, innovators, and solution providers from around the globe.

Next year’s conference will dig deeper into how AI, automation, and data are reshaping supply chains. Expect an even sharper focus on collaboration, real-world problem solving, and fresh session formats designed to give leaders practical insight they can take home and put to work in their own operations.

“NextGen is more than a conference, it’s a community of leaders who come ready to share openly about what’s working and what isn’t,” says Straight. “That willingness to exchange real-world lessons is what makes this event special. It’s where innovation meets honesty, and where the industry moves forward together.”

As global supply chains become more intelligent, connected, and resilient, the 2026 NextGen Supply Chain Conference will once again provide a front-row seat to the trends and technologies shaping what’s next. Mark your calendars and plan to be part of the conversation.

Visit nextgensupplychainconference.com to stay up to date on the 2026 NextGen Supply Chain Conference, including speaker announcements, early-bird registration, sponsorship opportunities, and exclusive event news as details are released throughout the year.

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