NextGen Supply Chain Conference 2026 Opens Speaker Submission Process
•February 18, 2026
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Why It Matters
The call for practitioner‑driven content underscores the industry’s demand for proven, results‑based supply‑chain transformation, influencing technology adoption and talent strategies across sectors.
Key Takeaways
- •Submissions close May 15, 2026.
- •Four industry tracks: Logistics, Retail, Food, Chemicals/Pharma.
- •Emphasis on AI, automation, digital twins, workforce upskilling.
- •Priority to case studies with measurable outcomes.
- •Small-group breakouts enable peer implementation dialogue.
Pulse Analysis
Practitioner‑first conferences like NextGen are becoming essential hubs for supply‑chain innovation. As AI, robotics, and digital twins move from pilot to production, executives need concrete evidence of ROI and change‑management tactics. By demanding real‑world case studies, NextGen filters out vendor‑centric demos and surfaces the hard‑won lessons that drive network redesign, risk mitigation, and talent development. This focus aligns with the broader industry trend toward data‑driven decision‑making and measurable performance metrics, helping firms justify investment and accelerate adoption.
The 2026 agenda’s four tracks reflect where capital is flowing fastest: logistics networks are being automated, retailers are re‑engineering fulfillment, food‑and‑beverage firms are tightening traceability, and chemicals/pharma companies are navigating stringent compliance. Hosting the event in Nashville—a logistics hub with a growing tech ecosystem—offers attendees a convenient crossroads for cross‑industry dialogue. The conference’s timing, three years after the 2023 supply‑chain shock, captures a moment when companies are actively redesigning their end‑to‑end processes, making the venue an ideal showcase for nearshoring strategies and tariff‑mitigation tactics.
For speakers, the platform provides unparalleled visibility among senior decision‑makers and a chance to shape the narrative around next‑generation supply‑chain practices. The small‑group breakout format encourages candid peer exchange, turning presentations into collaborative problem‑solving sessions. Sponsors and solution providers also benefit from direct access to the practitioners who are actually deploying their technologies. In sum, NextGen 2026 not only curates actionable insight but also accelerates the diffusion of proven innovations across the supply‑chain ecosystem, setting the agenda for the next wave of industry transformation.
NextGen Supply Chain Conference 2026 opens speaker submission process
Key takeaways
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Speaker submissions for NextGen 2026 are now open. The conference will take place Oct. 21–23, 2026, at the W Nashville hotel and will feature practitioner-led content centered on applied execution.
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Theme: Innovate. Upskill. Transform. The 2026 agenda focuses on how organizations are implementing AI, automation, digital platforms, and workforce development strategies to drive measurable supply chain impact.
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Priority given to end-user case studies with measurable results. Organizers are seeking supply chain leaders who can share lessons learned from technology deployment, cross-functional integration, risk mitigation, and operational redesign.
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Four industry tracks anchor the 2026 agenda. Logistics & Fulfillment, Retail, Food & Beverage, and Chemicals/Pharmaceuticals will headline the program, alongside cross-industry themes such as AI adoption, network resilience, and tariff mitigation.
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:
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Implementing advanced technologies such as AI, automation, robotics, and digital platforms
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Developing the workforce skills needed to operationalize those tools
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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:
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Logistics & Fulfillment
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Retail
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Food & Beverage
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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:
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End-user supply chain leaders
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Case studies demonstrating measurable outcomes
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Lessons learned from technology deployments
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Cross-functional integration stories (procurement, logistics, manufacturing, finance)
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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:
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AI and agentic systems in planning and execution
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Automation in warehouses and fulfillment networks
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Nearshoring and network redesign strategies
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Supply chain risk management and governance
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Digital twins and scenario modeling
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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:
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Focus on real operating use cases
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Encourage peer-to-peer dialogue
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Address implementation challenges and ROI
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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:
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A platform to share leadership lessons with a highly targeted audience
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Visibility among senior decision-makers across key industries
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Opportunities for peer networking and executive-level engagement
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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:
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The topic and learning objectives
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The specific industry track alignment
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Real-world examples and results
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Names and roles of proposed speakers
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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.
FAQs
Q: When and where is the 2026 NextGen Supply Chain Conference?
The conference will be held Oct. 21–23, 2026, at the W Nashville hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.
Q: Who should submit a speaker proposal for NextGen 2026?
End-user supply chain leaders, operations executives, procurement professionals, and cross-functional teams with implementation-driven case studies and measurable outcomes are encouraged to apply.
Q: What topics are organizers looking for in 2026?
Priority topics include AI and agentic systems, warehouse automation, nearshoring strategies, supply chain risk governance, digital twins, workforce transformation, and integrated business planning.
Q: How can someone submit a speaker proposal for NextGen 2026?
Interested speakers can submit proposals directly through the conference website at nextgensupplychainconference.com/speakers/, outlining their topic, industry track alignment, real-world results, and key attendee takeaways.
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