NextGen Supply Chain Conference 2026 opens speaker submission process

The speaker submission process for the 2026 NextGen Supply Chain Conference is now officially open.

This year’s practitioner-led event will take place at the W Nashville hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, Oct. 21–23, 2026.

Building on the strong momentum of the 2025 conference, NextGen 2026 will once again bring together senior supply chain, operations, procurement, and logistics leaders for three days of candid, experience-driven dialogue around the technologies, skills, and strategic decisions reshaping the profession.

This year’s theme—Innovate. Upskill. Transform.—reflects a deliberate focus on applied execution rather than abstract theory. The agenda will center on how organizations are:

• Implementing advanced technologies such as AI, automation, robotics, and digital platforms
• Developing the workforce skills needed to operationalize those tools
• Redesigning networks, processes, and governance structures to drive measurable impact

The deadline for speaker submissions is May 15, 2026. Complete details on the submission process are available at: https://www.nextgensupplychainconference.com/speakers/

A practitioner-first platform

NextGen has always prioritized real-world insight from end users.

The 2025 conference featured keynote speakers such as Val Marchevsky, EVP & CTO at Uber Freight; Lisa Drane, Director of Procurement Supply Innovation, Logistics & Warehouse at Diageo; and Todd Stillwell, VP of Supply Chain & Manufacturing at Dole Packaged Foods, among others.

In addition to main-stage keynotes, the agenda included supply chain leaders from organizations such as Walmart, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Regeneron, Eli Lilly, Maersk, C.H. Robinson, and GEODIS.

The common thread: practitioners sharing practical experience—what worked, what didn’t, and what they would do differently.

That approach will continue in 2026.

2026 focus areas

The 2026 agenda will emphasize four industry tracks that reflect where supply chain innovation and investment are accelerating most rapidly:

• Logistics & Fulfillment
• Retail
• Food & Beverage
• Chemicals/Pharmaceuticals

While sessions will be tailored to each focus area, cross-industry themes will remain central, including AI adoption, automation strategies, workforce upskilling, network resilience, tariff mitigation, risk governance, and integrated business planning.

What we’re looking for

The speaker submission process is designed to surface practical, implementation-focused content.

Priority will be given to:

• End-user supply chain leaders
• Case studies demonstrating measurable outcomes
• Lessons learned from technology deployments
• Cross-functional integration stories (procurement, logistics, manufacturing, finance)
• Workforce transformation initiatives tied to operational change

NextGen is not designed as a product-demo platform. Instead, sessions should highlight technologies and solutions that are actively in use—what was required to implement them, the challenges encountered, and the results achieved.

We are especially interested in:

• AI and agentic systems in planning and execution
• Automation in warehouses and fulfillment networks
• Nearshoring and network redesign strategies
• Supply chain risk management and governance
• Digital twins and scenario modeling
• Talent development and leadership in an AI-enabled supply chain

Interactive small-group breakouts

A defining feature of NextGen is its small-group breakout format. These interactive sessions are co-led by a practitioner and a solution provider and are structured to foster candid discussion rather than presentation-driven lectures.

Small-group sessions:

• Focus on real operating use cases
• Encourage peer-to-peer dialogue
• Address implementation challenges and ROI
• Provide direct access to practitioners navigating similar issues

Space for these sessions is limited, and speaker proposals that include a clear practitioner voice and demonstrable results will receive priority consideration. For solution providers interested in participating in small-group sessions, sponsorship opportunities are available, with an emphasis on pairing with customer practitioners to ensure grounded, experience-driven content.

Why speak at NextGen?

For supply chain leaders, speaking at NextGen offers:

• A platform to share leadership lessons with a highly targeted audience
• Visibility among senior decision-makers across key industries
• Opportunities for peer networking and executive-level engagement
• A chance to shape the conversation around the next phase of supply chain transformation

Submission process

Supply chain leaders and organizations interested in speaking can submit their proposals directly through the conference website:
https://www.nextgensupplychainconference.com/speakers/

Proposals should clearly outline:

• The topic and learning objectives
• The specific industry track alignment
• Real-world examples and results
• Names and roles of proposed speakers
• Key takeaways for attendees

Early submissions are encouraged, as the agenda will be curated carefully to ensure balance across industries, technologies, and practitioner perspectives.

Join us in Nashville

The 2026 NextGen Supply Chain Conference will once again bring together the leaders shaping the future of supply chain management.

With its practitioner-first format, focused industry tracks, and emphasis on actionable insight, NextGen is built for executives who are actively innovating, upskilling their teams, and transforming their operations.

We look forward to welcoming the next wave of supply chain innovators to Nashville, Oct. 21–23, 2026.

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