Ocean Transportation
Deadline for Speaker Abstracts and Awards for NextGen Supply Chain Conference Approaching
The deadline for the submission of speaker abstracts and award applications for the 2025 NextGen Supply Chain Conference is set for June 6. As this date approaches, industry leaders and innovators are preparing to converge in Nashville, Tennessee, from October 22-24, 2025, to explore the future of supply chain management.
Conference Focus and Objectives
Organized by Supply Chain Management Review (SCMR), the NextGen Supply Chain Conference aims to bring together industry visionaries, companies, and experts to discuss the latest trends and innovations in supply chain management. The conference will cover a wide array of topics, including sourcing, procurement, inventory management, risk management, global trade, ports and shipping, business management, technology, artificial intelligence, automation, and sustainability.
The event will particularly focus on four key industries: 3PL/logistics, consumer packaged goods, food and beverage, and life sciences. Registration is now open, with early-bird rates available to encourage participation from a broad spectrum of professionals and academics.
Global Trade Uncertainty and Supply Chain Resilience
Amid global trade uncertainty, the role of tariffs has become increasingly significant, impacting supply chain operations, margins, and financial stability. Tariffs necessitate agility and adaptability within supply chains, especially as regulatory pressures intensify and scrutiny expands beyond tier-one suppliers. The need for robust supply chain strategies has never been more pressing.
GEP has outlined key strategies for companies to enhance supply chain resilience. This is particularly relevant in the face of disruptions such as the recent Microsoft-Crowdstrike computer outage and the looming East Coast longshoreman's port strike, which have underscored the vulnerabilities within current supply chains.
Harnessing AI and Technological Advances
Agentic AI is set to revolutionize supply chain decision-making, offering advanced solutions for navigating the complexities of a globalized and uncertain trade environment. Artificial Intelligence is being recognized as a critical tool in addressing these challenges, providing new avenues for efficiency and innovation.
The conference provides a platform for companies in categories such as Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation, and Robotics to showcase their innovations and compete for awards. This underscores the pivotal role of technology in shaping the future of supply chain management.
Transportation and Inventory Management
Transportation costs and modal decisions remain central to supply chain strategies, directly affecting inventory investment requirements. A methodology that combines annual cost and long-run inventory investment perspectives is used to determine the most effective transport mode, whether air or ocean. For certain product lines, ocean freight is more cost-efficient, while air freight is better suited for others.
Firms are increasingly deploying inventories across multiple continents to better serve expanding markets. The decision to opt for air versus ocean shipment involves careful analysis of inventory carrying costs and investment data, a topic explored in detail in a Supply Chain Management Review article available to subscribers.
Recent updates such as McLeod Software's enhancements to broker and carrier relationships and the unveiling of a new white-label digital branding solution by Grasshopper highlight the ongoing technological advancements in the sector.
Looking Ahead
The formation of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, announced by President Joe Biden in late 2023, is a significant step towards addressing supply chain vulnerabilities. The council's first report, expected in 2024, will provide further insights into the strategies required to bolster supply chain resilience across industries.
As the deadline for the NextGen Supply Chain Conference approaches, the event promises to be a pivotal gathering for discussing the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities within the supply chain landscape. Attendees will engage with a diverse range of topics and perspectives, setting the stage for future innovations and collaborations.