Tuesday | April 12
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Keynote: Think Like Amazon About Innovation
Room: International Center/South
Whether you see Amazon as a friend or foe, you can’t argue with its tremendous success. This is largely because leaders there expect continual innovation and invention from their teams. They are externally aware and look for new ideas everywhere. Amazon has created an innovation flywheel that few other companies have matched. Through a systematic approach and a deep understanding of what it means to be digital, Amazon has created a culture and system that continually outperforms the competition. Former Amazon executive turned digital strategy consultant John Rossman, author of "The Amazon Way" book series, will lean on his experience to explain how retail and ecommerce companies large and small can glean valuable lessons on innovation from the ecommerce behemoth to help fuel their success.
Speaker:
- John Rossman, Author, The Amazon Way
2022-04-12
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Keynotes
9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Keynote Panel: Throw Out the Playbook: Disruptors and Agitators
Room: International Center/South
In every industry there are companies that not only think outside the box, but the box is nowhere to be seen. It’s no different in retail and ecommerce. Disruptors and agitators come along, blazing a new path and extending the boundaries outward, finding success with bold ideas and execution. In this keynote panel, executives from popular wine subscription startup Firstleaf and furniture rental mold-breaker Feather talk about what sets their companies apart and how the confluence of vision, experimentation and innovation is resonating with a growing customer base.
Moderator:
- Mike O'Brien, Senior Content Manager, Multichannel Merchant
Panelists:
- Lauren Owens, Director of Supply Chain, Firstleaf
- Christopher Halkyard, VP of Logistics, Feather
2022-04-12
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Keynotes
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
The Autonomous Middle Mile and the Realm of the Possible
Room: International South
While a lot of attention has been paid to the much sexier last mile of autonomous vehicles, with companies like Nuro, Waymo and Zoox paving the way, the workhorse of the middle mile is getting a serious lift using driverless technology. Live routes are in operation in several states, addressing the acute driver shortage and creating operational efficiencies outside the bounds of human limitations. In this informative session, hear about what an autonomous middle mile network looks like, and how it can push omnichannel logistics to the next level.
You will learn:
• How autonomous vehicles can run on fixed routes 22/7
• How this opens the door to mixed use delivery night and day
• About optimized replenishment of retail, dark stores and MFCs
• About the network model, including maintenance operations
You will learn:
• How autonomous vehicles can run on fixed routes 22/7
• How this opens the door to mixed use delivery night and day
• About optimized replenishment of retail, dark stores and MFCs
• About the network model, including maintenance operations
Moderator:
- Pascal Van Hentenryck, Associate Chair for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Georgia Tech
Panelists:
- Mike Plasencia, Director, New Product Strategy, Ryder System, Inc.
- Mark Petrosoniak, Senior Manager, Strategy and Business Operations, Gatik
- Deanna Kaufman, Vice President, Sales, Körber Supply Chain Software
2022-04-12
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Supply Chain/Logistics/Delivery
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
The Sustainable Last Mile: Not An Oxymoron
Room: International Center
The last mile of ecommerce is where the action is, but it can be where a lot of the carbon is, as well. The critical last leg of the delivery journey has drawn many new entrants, technologies and approaches, including from those seeking to make it not only more economically but also as environmentally sustainable as possible. This includes work of the Urban Freight Lab (UFL), an adjunct of the University of Washington forging partnerships with retailers and service providers to explore greener last mile fulfillment alternatives. This session will draw in experts from academia, retail and the provider community to discuss current and future initiatives and technologies to reconcile high demand with environmental imperatives.
You will learn:
• About the results of delivery pilots conducted by UFL
• How retailers are finding success along with sustainability
• About the role of data and analytics in optimizing the last mile
• About the positive impact on CX and customer loyalty
You will learn:
• About the results of delivery pilots conducted by UFL
• How retailers are finding success along with sustainability
• About the role of data and analytics in optimizing the last mile
• About the positive impact on CX and customer loyalty
Moderator:
- Andisheh Ranjbari, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Penn State University
Panelists:
- Imari Gabrielle, Owner, Black Millennial Vegan
- Veena Harbaugh, Director of Sustainability, Sendle
2022-04-12
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Supply Chain/Logistics/Delivery
1:30 PM – 2:10 PM
Gaining Speed and Scale When the Last Mile is Far Away
Room: International South
The last mile, typically the most expensive leg of the delivery journey, has been getting a lot of attention and investment in recent years. New players regularly come online, both asset-based and asset light, with all different flavors of technology. While major (and minor) urban markets have become well blanketed with same-day and even same-hour services, what of the vast spaces beyond? How do you deliver a great, fast CX, whether in downtown Chicago or Murdo, SD, from parcel to bulky? In this session, hear how retailers large and small are getting creative to shrink distances and expand their reach nationwide.
You will learn:
• About leveraging existing infrastructure to extend home delivery outside city centers
• About building strategic partnerships to quickly reach consumers in any ZIP code
• How to scale home delivery quickly to customers – within days
• About the long-term effects of high-quality delivery on customer satisfaction
You will learn:
• About leveraging existing infrastructure to extend home delivery outside city centers
• About building strategic partnerships to quickly reach consumers in any ZIP code
• How to scale home delivery quickly to customers – within days
• About the long-term effects of high-quality delivery on customer satisfaction
Speaker:
- Valerie Metzker, Head of Partnerships and Enterprise Sales, Roadie
2022-04-12
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Supply Chain/Logistics/Delivery
1:30 PM – 2:10 PM
How Cutting-Edge Automation Is Changing the Ecommerce Logistics Game
Room: International Center
Ecommerce logistics is full of challenges. From labor wages and staffing shortages to identifying the right carrier mix to growing concerns about sustainability, retailers need to find the most effective way to streamline operations. Successful omnichannel retailers need to implement a delivery approach that incorporates innovative processes to meet customer expectations without completely shifting strategy. Automation in your fulfillment operations can provide a significant competitive edge. Hear from leaders in logistics, automation and AI-based robotics how automation is being implemented to provide greater efficiency in ecommerce operations.
You will learn:
• The value that automation can bring to your operations
• The challenges of implementing automation, and how they're overcome
You will learn:
• The value that automation can bring to your operations
• The challenges of implementing automation, and how they're overcome
Moderator:
- Joseph Ruck, VP of Marketing, Ambi Robotics
Panelists:
- Stephanie Cannon, Senior Vice President, Pitney Bowes
- Nick Herbon, Regional Sales Manager, EuroSort Inc.
- Jim Liefer, CEO, Ambi Robotics
2022-04-12
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Order Fulfillment
2:15 PM – 2:55 PM
Finding Capacity When There Is None
Room: International Center
Four words your customer never wants to hear: “Your package is delayed.” Unfortunately, this is being heard now more than ever. The culprit, in a word: Capacity. 2021 was plagued by supply chain and network capacity issues. From a lack of containers and port tie-ups to constrained parcel carriers, capacity issues have worked their way through the entire supply chain. We’re well past 2021 peak now, but here it comes again before you can blink, with no immediate relief in sight. This session will address ways shippers can prepare and scale now to meet growing demand, given ongoing capacity constraints and headwinds.
You will learn:
• The root of capacity issues
• How to react when capacity falls short
• Ways you can be nimbler in solving capacity issues
• About emerging trends and solutions
You will learn:
• The root of capacity issues
• How to react when capacity falls short
• Ways you can be nimbler in solving capacity issues
• About emerging trends and solutions
Speaker:
- Bill Catania, Founder and CEO, OneRail
2022-04-12
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Supply Chain/Logistics/Delivery
2:15 PM – 2:55 PM
Solving For Supply Chain, Inventory Visibility
Room: International South
Especially with supply chain issues expected to linger through 2022 and into 2023, technologies to help gain a better handle on where each individual item is between point of origin and end customer are more critical than ever. Fortunately, many advances have been made in this regard, giving retail and ecommerce companies innovative tools to better manage, position and deliver inventory. RFID for one is having a moment, but there are many other options available. This expert-led panel will explore various systems and strategies, their effectiveness and how they’re being used to help maintain near-real-time accuracy, enhancing performance and the customer experience.
Moderator:
- Jay Kent, Managing Director, SLB Performance
Panelists:
- Joyce Chai, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company
2022-04-12
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Supply Chain/Logistics/Delivery
3:45 PM – 4:25 PM
How BI in Robotics Optimizes Fulfillment Center Productivity
Room: International Center
Business intelligence is transforming all sectors of the economy, and the ecommerce fulfillment center is no exception. As robotic automation becomes an integral part of these operations, effective use of the data generated provides a valuable, actionable resource for planning, operations, labor management and more.
This session will explore various types of key business information that automation solutions can provide to your operations. From real-time dashboards on the facility floor to rich executive reporting tools, hear how data-driven decision making helps all levels of your organization build the resilience needed to effectively manage disruptions and excel in the future.
You will learn:
• About the types of operational data generated, and how it is accessed and applied
• The important role of data-driven decision making in building operational resiliency
• How executives, managers and associates can access and utilize robotic BI in their roles
• How building it into your processes protects your operations against disruption
You will learn:
• About the types of operational data generated, and how it is accessed and applied
• The important role of data-driven decision making in building operational resiliency
• How executives, managers and associates can access and utilize robotic BI in their roles
• How building it into your processes protects your operations against disruption
Speaker:
- Jason Walker, VP of Market Development, Locus Robotics
2022-04-12
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Robotics/Automation
3:45 PM – 4:25 PM
The People/Bot Interface: Cooperation and Synergy
Room: International South
As has often been stated, robotic systems for warehouses and fulfillment centers are meant as an augmentation, not a replacement of human labor – although clearly, they help fill performance gaps created by workforce shortfalls. So, how are so-called co-bots and people getting along? How are they cooperating in the spirit of 1+1=3? This session will explore best practices in hybrid fulfillment processes using a synchronized combination of human and robotic labor that delivers results and improves worker – and customer – satisfaction.
You will learn:
• About the advantages and functional limitations of co-bots
• How AI is helping them get smarter and improve
• How to prep your workforce and set up a successful process
• Where the technology and working relationship is headed
You will learn:
• About the advantages and functional limitations of co-bots
• How AI is helping them get smarter and improve
• How to prep your workforce and set up a successful process
• Where the technology and working relationship is headed
Speakers:
- Fergal Glynn, VP Marketing, 6 River Systems, Inc.
- Misty Ashton, VP of Operations, Jenni Kayne
2022-04-12
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Robotics/Automation
