Program

Last Year's Program

Program Agenda

  • Sunday Feb 19, 2023
  • Monday Feb 20, 2023
  • Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
  • Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
6:45 AM – 2:45 PM

LINK on the Links (Golf Tournament)

This event requires pre-registration through the full conference registration process. Hit the LINKS with your colleagues on Sunday, February 19 for a free round of max score of par style golf at Celebration Golf Course. Experience is not required, but enjoying the beautiful outdoors is. Transportation from the Gaylord is provided, starting at 6:45 am, with 8:30 am shotgun start.

Sponsored by NRS

Location
Celebration Golf Club
10:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Registration and Information Desk Open

Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.

Location
Osceola Lobby
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Transportation/Logistics Committee (TRIC) Meeting - Invite Only

  • Committee Meeting
This is a private meeting for RILA members on the Transportation/Logistics Committee (TRIC). We will use this time to update members on the current legislative and regulatory landscape regarding transportation issues, benchmark alongside peer companies and discuss additional industry priorities.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Supply Chain Leaders Council Meeting - Invite Only

  • Committee Meeting
This is a private meeting for RILA members on the Supply Chain Leaders Council, composed of the senior-most supply chain leaders from the country’s leading retailers—the executives who oversee supply chain planning/strategy, transportation/logistics, distribution, fulfillment, inventory, sourcing, returns, trade/customs, and more. These leaders are envisioning the supply chains of tomorrow, even as they’re benchmarking on the common challenges of today.

Location
Citrus Ballroom
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Supply Chain Steering Committee Meeting - Invite Only

  • Committee Meeting
This is a private meeting for RILA members on the Retail Supply Chain Conference Steering Committee. The committee is comprised of top retail supply chain executives, and is charged with the task of overseeing the structure and programming of the LINK Retail Supply Chain Conference.

Location
Escambia Terrace
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Welcome Reception

  • Networking Event
Join us to kick off the LINK2023 conference at the welcome reception, where you can reconnect with industry friends, network with your peers and enjoy drinks and light fare.

Sponsored by Amazon Freight

Location
Mangrove Lawn
7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Registration and Information Desk Open

Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.

Location
Osceola Lobby
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Breakfast

  • Networking Event
Please join us for breakfast and networking before the day begins.

Sponsored by Designed Conveyor Systems

Location
Osceola Lobby
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Speaker Ready Room

Location
St. Cloud
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Recharge @ LINK Powered by Flexport

Visit Recharge @ LINK, located outside on the scenic Escambia Terrace, to find tranquility during the hustle and bustle of the conference. This oasis will provide LINK attendees with the opportunity to relax their minds and bodies, restore their energy, and enjoy the beautiful Florida sunshine. Join us outside for a moment of serenity and relaxation: hydrate with a selection of infused waters, enjoy hands-on activities, or complete a mindfulness activity to refresh your creativity. 

Location
Escambia Terrace
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM

Welcome to LINK2023

  • General Session
Opening remarks and welcome from RILA.

Speaker
Jess Dankert
Vice President, Supply Chain
RILA
Location
Osceola Ballroom
8:45 AM – 9:15 AM

Unleash the Power of Pausing to Go the Distance

  • General Session
We are stretching our limits more than ever, and we are increasingly seeing the risk of burnout from the ever-growing demands on our attention, the speed of work, and our need for human connection to keep us engaged and resilient. To cultivate a sustainable high performance work environment, we need the tools to manage stress and overwhelm to navigate uncertainty and harness change to grow smarter and stronger together. This keynote along with companion breakout sessions will explore how The Self-Care Mindset® is the foundation for working better, reaching our goals, and building a sustainable, smarter, and stronger culture, that can go the distance, together.

Speaker
Jeanette Bronée
Author and Wellbeing Culture Strategist
JeanetteBronee.com
Location
Osceola Ballroom
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM

Driving Omnichannel Success through a Customer-Centric Supply Chain

  • General Session
Best Buy is an industry leader in delivering a seamless omnichannel experience for customers—and supply chain plays a critical role in that experience. In this session, the leaders of omnichannel and supply chain for Best Buy discuss how they integrate to drive success and deliver for their customers.

Moderator
Jess Dankert
Vice President, Supply Chain
RILA
Speakers
Damien Harmon
Executive Vice President, Omnichannel
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Mark Irvin
Chief Supply Chain Officer
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Location
Osceola Ballroom
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Snack Shop Break

  • Networking Event
Stop by the LINK2023 Snack Shop for a morning pick-me-up.

Sponsored by Prologis

Location
Coastal Lobby
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM 2 Concurrent Events

Ask a Supply Chain Leader - Target (Retailer-Only)

  • Breakout Session
Each “Ask a Supply Chain Leader” session features a senior retail supply chain executive and offers the unique opportunity for Q&A and discussion with some of the most notable supply chain leaders in the industry. These sessions are open only to retailers and are limited to 25 participants. The topics are up to you! Ask your most burning questions on supply chain issues, industry trends, career development, and more!

Speaker
Irene Quarshie
Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain & Logistics
Target Corporation
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - Ask a Supply Chain Leader

Don’t Waste a Crisis: How the C-Suite Role of Supply Chain Is Increasing in Organizational Value

  • Breakout Session
This session will explore how the C-Suite supply chain role has evolved from cost center to enabler to strategic partner. Don’t take it from us, hear directly from retail supply chain leaders on how their view of supply chain has evolved and will continue to shape the future of their organizations.

Speakers
Michael Gregory
Managing Director
Accenture
Timothy Kuckelman
Chief Operating Officer
Arhaus
Steve Lovejoy
Chief Supply Chain Officer
Signet Jewelers
Location
Coastal Ballroom 6-8
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM 4 Concurrent Events

Circularity in Practice: Examples from Real-World Supply Chains

  • Breakout Session
As consumers grow more aware of product lifecycles and their environmental impacts, what role will retail supply chains play in enabling the circular economy? Join for discussion and real-world insights on what leading retailers are doing to level-up circularity initiatives, plus lessons learned and steps to ensure that your supply chain can collaborate with suppliers for a holistic approach to circular logistics.

Speakers
Steven Jennings
Stakeholder Relations | Brand Lead, Health & Sustainability
Ahold Delhaize USA
Becca Meinz
Vice President, Reverse Supply Chain
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Samantha Shiffman
Manager, Sustainability
J.Crew Group, Inc.
Cara Smyth
Senior Managing Director, ESG Retail
Accenture
Location
Coastal Ballroom 1-3

Enhancing the Consumer Experience with a Future-Forward Supply Chain

  • Breakout Session
More than ever before, consumers care about affordability, availability and convenience, and supply chain operations play a vital role in keeping customers loyal. In this session, attendees will hear from retail leaders who are moving toward a customer-centric approach by optimizing their supply chain operations to create a better consumer experience.

Speakers
Amiee Bayer-Thomas
Chief Supply Chain Officer
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Todd Soller
Head of Global Supply Chain
Patagonia
Tony Ward
US Consumer & Retail Principal
Ernst & Young LLP
Sean Whitehouse
Senior Vice President, Supply Chain
DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.
Location
Coastal Ballroom A-C

Harnessing the Self-Care Mindset® to Build a Smarter, Stronger, And Sustainable Culture

  • Breakout Session
Digging deeper into this morning’s main stage presentation, Jeanette will share the tools for shifting from a burnout mindset, operating in survival mode, to a Self-Care Mindset®, to create a Culture of Care® that’s built on Confidence, Agility, Resilience, and Equity (C.A.R.E.). You’ll leave this session with a C.A.R.E.-driven framework to cut through the noise of stress, get unstuck, and take charge of your well-being as the foundation for personal and professional growth.

Speaker
Jeanette Bronée
Author and Wellbeing Culture Strategist
JeanetteBronee.com
Location
Coastal Ballroom D9-10

Retailer-only Roundtable: Automation – Driving, Picking, Storing, Processing and More

  • Breakout Session
The need for speed and responsiveness, coupled with an often-challenging labor landscape, has increased many retailers’ focus on various types of automation, especially in DCs. Hear from other retailers who have implemented automation ranging from large-scale AS/RS to collaborative “cobots” and more. Technology is part of the conversation, but we’ll focus on the process—discussing how companies are evaluating automation and determining what to implement, designing pilots, assessing results, and managing deployments and change management.

Speaker
Ngoc Phan
Vice President, Supply Chain System & Engineering
Nordstrom, Inc.
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - Retailer-Only Roundtable
10:30 AM – 1:45 PM

Supply Chain Leaders Council Meeting - Invite Only

  • Committee Meeting
This is a private meeting for RILA members on the Supply Chain Leaders Council, composed of the senior-most supply chain leaders from the country’s leading retailers—the executives who oversee supply chain planning/strategy, transportation/logistics, distribution, fulfillment, inventory, sourcing, returns, trade/customs, and more. These leaders are envisioning the supply chains of tomorrow, even as they’re benchmarking on the common challenges of today.

Location
Citrus Ballroom
10:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Expo Experience Open

  • Expo Experience
The Expo Experience opens now! Join us to network with and learn from the service providers helping retailers meet their supply chain challenges and improve their results! The Expo Experience runs from 10:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. today.

Location
Florida Exhibit Hall C-F
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM

Moving Break

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11:30 AM – 1:00 PM 2 Concurrent Events

Lunch in the Expo Experience

  • Expo Experience
  • Networking Event
Join us for lunch and networking in the Expo Experience.​​​​ The Expo Experience will remain open until the end of the reception tonight.

Location
Florida Exhibit Hall C-F

Sustainability Committee Meeting - Invite Only

  • Committee Meeting
This is a private meeting for RILA members on the Sustainability Committee.

Location
Coastal Ballroom 4-5
11:52 AM – 12:22 PM

Book Signing with Jeanette Bronee

  • LINK Live!
The first one hundred attendees receive a free signed copy of The Self-Care Mindset.

Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
12:26 PM – 12:33 PM

Startup Conversation with Fenix Commerce

  • LINK Live!
Startup conversations are 7-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with startup executives. Join us to hear innovative startup solutions to supply chain challenges

Speaker
Adam Ross
Director of Retail and Brand Partnerships
Fenix Commerce
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
12:33 PM – 12:40 PM

Startup Conversation with Reveel

  • LINK Live!
Startup conversations are 7-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with startup executives. Join us to hear innovative startup solutions to supply chain challenges

Speaker
Josh Dunham
CEO
Reveel
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
12:40 PM – 12:50 PM

Get Smart Session with Honeywell

  • LINK Live!
Get Smart sessions are 10-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with solution-provider executives. Join us to hear their unique solutions to supply chain challenges.

Speaker
Dayan Rodriguez
VP/GM
Honeywell Intelligrated
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
12:50 PM – 1:00 PM

Get Smart Session with J.B. Hunt

  • LINK Live!
Get Smart sessions are 10-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with solution-provider executives. Join us to hear their unique solutions to supply chain challenges.

Speaker
Spencer Frazier
EVP of Sales & Marketing
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM 2 Concurrent Events

Ask a Supply Chain Leader – Best Buy (Retailer-Only)

  • Breakout Session
Each “Ask a Supply Chain Leader” session features a senior retail supply chain executive and offers the unique opportunity for Q&A and discussion with some of the most notable supply chain leaders in the industry. These sessions are open only to retailers and are limited to 25 participants. The topics are up to you! Ask your most burning questions on supply chain issues, industry trends, career development, and more!

Speaker
Becca Meinz
Vice President, Reverse Supply Chain
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - Ask a Supply Chain Leader

When World-Class Isn’t Good Enough – How Walgreens Is Transforming Their Demand Forecasting and Planning with AI

  • Breakout Session
Unpredictable supply chain disruptions require retailers to overhaul their forecasting and planning capabilities to anticipate demand and grow market share. Learn how Walgreen’s is leveraging AI with new and external data sets – from weather to local events to social media – to dramatically improve demand planning and forecast accuracy, leading to greater inventory performance, profitability, employee productivity, and customer satisfaction.

Speakers
Andrew Kettlewell
Vice President of Supply Chain Inventory & Analytics
Walgreen Co.
Sivakumar Lakshmanan
EVP Forecasting & Supply Chain Analytics
Antuit, Inc.
Location
Coastal Ballroom A-C
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM 4 Concurrent Events

A New Era: How “Forced Collaboration” Is Powering Supply Chain Innovation and Efficiency

  • Breakout Session
Join global leaders as they discuss how years of unpredictability “forced” different departments to collaborate in order to keep their supply chains running smoothly. No longer a question of what’s best for inventory management, warehousing, finance or the transportation team; this panel will explore how they’ve broken internal silos to foster innovation, efficiency and better decision making, together, ahead of milestones like contract negotiations or the holidays.

Speakers
Darius Adl
Senior Director, Global Logistics
Sonos, Inc.
Sabrina Carr
Director, Global Transportation
The Clorox Company
Enrique Porto
General Manager, Miami and LATAM
Flexport
Location
Coastal Ballroom 6-8

Am I Measuring Up? What Retailers Need to Know About Their Logistics KPIs

  • Breakout Session
The retail industry has gone through monumental changes over the past three years, and yet many supply chain executives are still relying on a limited set of key performance indicators (KPIs) -- such as on-time delivery -- to measure success. Between the pandemic, rapid rise of e-commerce, shifting customer loyalties, and near-constant supply chain disruptions, traditional KPIs and benchmarks don’t always give you an accurate picture of your success. We’ll walk through some emerging supply chain KPIs that retailers should start tracking to win in today’s increasingly competitive environment.

Speakers
Mark Delaney
Retail Vice President, Global Industry Strategy
FourKites
Charles Griffith
Chief Technology Officer - QPI
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
Location
Coastal Ballroom D9-10

How Sustainable Packaging Elevates Your Customer Experience

  • Breakout Session
As ecommerce demand continues to grow, so do consumer environmental concerns, with 1 in 4 online shoppers switching their purchases to more sustainable companies in the last 3 months. In this session, industry leaders will discuss how sustainable packaging is an attainable and scalable warehouse solution that takes customer unboxing experiences to the next level.

Speakers
Rod Gallaway
CEO
Packsize International
Abhinav Goel
Partner
McKinsey & Company Inc.
Heather Zanoni
Senior Director, Sustainability and ESG
DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.
Location
Coastal Ballroom 1-3

Retailer-only Roundtable: Frontline Labor and Workforce Trends

  • Breakout Session
Between rail workers, west coast longshoremen, and warehouse unionization stories, if it seems like labor and workforce topics are in the spotlight lately — they are. Societal, political, and demographic factors — plus pandemic impacts — are changing the landscape for frontline workforces in the U.S. Learn about these contributing factors and discuss with fellow retailers who are evolving their efforts around hiring, training, retaining, and managing teams in stores, distribution centers, and other facilities.

Speakers
Shirley Garrison
Senior Director, Supply Chain
The Container Store Inc.
Sekar Sundararajan
Chief Supply Chain Officer
Melissa & Doug
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - Retailer-Only Roundtable
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Sustainability Workshop & Roundtable: Transportation Emissions Data

  • Breakout Session
With so many retailers setting sustainability goals, transportation and distribution emissions—which is often the largest domestic source of a retailer’s Scope 3 emissions—is increasingly the focus of cross-industry and government efforts to reduce climate impacts. But with so many modes and carrier partners involved, it’s incredibly challenging to get a comprehensive estimate of transportation emissions data—let alone a truly accurate one. Join this interactive workshop with the Smart Freight Centre to explore the globally-recognized GLEC framework for calculating and reporting transportation and distribution emissions, and to learn and discuss what tools and practices retailers (and their partners) are using on the journey to assess their transportation footprints and identify collaboration opportunities.

Moderator
Katy Evans
Sustainability Manager, Environment
Penney OpCo LLC
Speakers
Rik Arends
Director
Smart Freight Centre
Sarah Jilbert
Sustainability Program Manager
DHL
Buddy Polovick
Environmental Protection Specialist
U.S. EPA Smartway
Location
Coastal Ballroom 4-5
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM

Moving Break

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2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Ask a Supply Chain Leader - REI (Retailer-Only)

  • Breakout Session
Each “Ask a Supply Chain Leader” session features a senior retail supply chain executive and offers the unique opportunity for Q&A and discussion with some of the most notable supply chain leaders in the industry. These sessions are open only to retailers and are limited to 25 participants. The topics are up to you! Ask your most burning questions on supply chain issues, industry trends, career development, and more!

Speaker
Ruchi Christensen
DVP, Supply Chain Operations
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - Ask a Supply Chain Leader
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM 5 Concurrent Events

Automation, How to Determine What Type and When to Implement

  • Breakout Session
Learn about flexible automation usage and the journey to go from manual to fully automated. Hear about real-life use cases on automation that will maximize your capacity, optimize your labor and “feed the beast” to deliver real value.

Speakers
Peter Van Alstine
SVP, Vertical Markets
Berkshire Grey
Kimberley Baudry
Global Market Development Director
Dematic Corporation
Raymond Daugherty
Senior Vice President, Logistics
Beall's Inc.
Location
Coastal Ballroom 6-8

Digital Standards – The Key to a Better Shipping Experience

  • Breakout Session
We have seen in other industries that efficiency gains through digitalization have been key to coping with growth. The unencumbered flow of (standardized) data can and will support the flow of goods around the world. Unfortunately, much of our industry still relies heavily on manual and/or paper-based processes and outdated technologies, which cause insufficient and/or delayed data exchange. But these are solvable problems. In this session, we will give examples of how digital standards deliver direct and indirect benefits to retailers by enabling real-time container tracking and tracing, more efficient port calls, and universal electronic trade documentation. Lessons learned and best practices from global deployments involving ocean carriers, cargo owners, freight forwarders and solution providers will also be shared.

Speakers
Scott Fremont
Vice President - Transportation
Target Corporation
Bart De Muynck
EVP & Chief Industry Officer
project44
Jeffrey Weiss
Partner and Lead, Supply Chain Team
Steptoe & Johnson LLP
Location
Coastal Ballroom 1-3

Disability Inclusion Programs: Labor and a Whole Lot More

  • Breakout Session
In a highly competitive environment for talent, disability inclusion employment creates an opportunity for companies to tap into a diverse talent pool. Hear from various retailers on their disability inclusion programs and their unique journey. You will learn how your company can leverage these programs to generate a number of positive benefits beyond meeting labor needs.

Speakers
James Emmett
Founder/CEO
James Emmett & Company
Kyle Garrett
Vice President, Supply Chain
The Neiman Marcus Group
Eric Schaeffer
Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
Todd Steffen
VP Supply Chain
Colliers International
Location
Coastal Ballroom A-C

Harnessing the Self-Care Mindset® to Build a Smarter, Stronger, And Sustainable Culture (repeated session)

  • Breakout Session
Digging deeper into this morning’s main stage presentation, Jeanette will share the tools for shifting from a burnout mindset, operating in survival mode, to a Self-Care Mindset®, to create a Culture of Care® that’s built on Confidence, Agility, Resilience, and Equity (C.A.R.E.). You’ll leave this session with a C.A.R.E.-driven framework to cut through the noise of stress, get unstuck, and take charge of your well-being as the foundation for personal and professional growth.

Speaker
Jeanette Bronée
Author and Wellbeing Culture Strategist
JeanetteBronee.com
Location
Coastal Ballroom D9-10

Retailer-only Roundtable: Carrier Relationships and Collaboration

  • Breakout Session
How are retailers evolving their relationships with trucking carriers — through the market volatility of the past few years and with an eye to the future? From “shipper of choice” and scorecarding, to making the most of carrier conferences, to RFPs and bid processes—join fellow retailers to benchmark and discuss leading practices for maximizing the potential of your carrier engagement.

Speakers
John Barton
Senior Director, Global Logistics
DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.
Brian McNabb
Senior Vice President, Supply Chain
Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Inc.
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - Retailer-Only Roundtable
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM

Snack Shop Break

  • Networking Event
Enjoy a Snack Shop break to grab some snacks and refreshments.

Sponsored by Kuehne & Nagel

Location
Osceola Lobby
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM

The Financial State of Retail

  • General Session
Attend this session to hear a leading retail data analyst share his perspective on the financial picture of the retail industry and what consumer trends and the state of the overall economy show about where we're going.

Moderator
Brian Dodge
President
RILA
Speaker
Don Unser
President, Thought Leadership Gen Merchandise/Retail
The NPD Group
Location
Osceola Ballroom
3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

Thinking Creatively about Partnering in the Retail Landscape

  • General Session
This session will highlight innovative ways retailers are partnering with other retailers—in some cases, companies that have historically been viewed as competitors—to drive synergies and value within their organizations. The discussion will focus on the retail landscape and how the “co-opetition” trend fits within the broader context—what are the opportunities for retailers (of all sizes) to leverage the ecosystem model?

Moderator
Steve Pinder
Managing Director
Accenture
Speakers
Kevin Kuntz
Senior Vice President, Global Logistics Fulfillment
Gap Inc.
Shekar Natarajan
President, Quiet Platforms (a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEO, Inc.)
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
Location
Osceola Ballroom
4:30 PM – 4:40 PM

Driving Sustainability Interview with Remora

  • LINK Live!
Driving Sustainability sessions are 10-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with solution-provider executives. Join us to hear innovative solutions to supply chain sustainability challenges.

Speaker
Andy Warner
Director of Partnerships
Remora
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Expo Experience Reception

  • Expo Experience
  • Networking Event
Join other conference attendees for this great networking opportunity.

Sponsored by Yusen

Location
Florida Exhibit Hall C-F
4:40 PM – 4:50 PM

Driving Sustainability Interview with ReverseLogix

  • LINK Live!
Driving Sustainability sessions are 10-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with solution-provider executives. Join us to hear innovative solutions to supply chain sustainability challenges.

Speaker
Chuck Fuerst
Chief Marketing Officer
ReverseLogix
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
4:50 PM – 5:00 PM

Driving Sustainability Interview with LimeLoop

  • LINK Live!
Driving Sustainability sessions are 10-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with solution-provider executives. Join us to hear innovative solutions to supply chain sustainability challenges.

Speaker
Scott Mackey
Partnerships and Sustainability Lead
LimeLoop
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Guided Walkthrough of Sustainability Solutions in the Expo Experience (Retailers Only)

  • Expo Experience
Join fellow retail sustainability leaders for a guided walkthrough of solution providers tackling environmental sustainability challenges in innovative ways, with a spotlight on transportation and distribution emissions reduction solutions. Don’t miss this opportunity for a targeted and efficient overview of the solutions relevant to your sustainability portfolio. We will meet at the LINK Live! stage and start the walkthrough following the LINK Live! Driving Sustainability Interviews.

Location
Florida Exhibit Hall C-F
7:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Registration and Information Desk Open

Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.

Location
Osceola Lobby
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Distribution/Fulfillment Committee Meeting - Invite Only

  • Committee Meeting
This is a private meeting for RILA members on the Distribution Committee composed of the senior-most distribution/fulfillment leaders from the country’s leading retailers.

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Recharge @ LINK Powered by UST

Visit Recharge @ LINK, located outside on the scenic Escambia Terrace, to find tranquility during the hustle and bustle of the conference. This oasis will provide LINK attendees with the opportunity to relax their minds and bodies, restore their energy, and enjoy the beautiful Florida sunshine. Join us outside for a moment of serenity and relaxation: hydrate with a selection of infused waters, enjoy a complimentary massage, or complete a mindfulness activity to refresh your creativity. 

Location
Escambia Terrace
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM

Sustainability Workshop & Roundtable: Frontiers in Sustainable Freight

  • Breakout Session
The race is on to cut emissions from heavy-duty trucks, and both public and private dollars are pouring into alternative fuels and the associated infrastructure. How can your company get started on this journey, or accelerate your progress? Hear the latest on lower-emission and zero-emission technologies and learn what questions you need to be asking and what metrics you need to be tracking. Whether your company has a private fleet or works with carrier partners, you won’t want to miss this discussion.

Speakers
Elliott Bath
Principal
The Boston Consulting Group
Rachel Schwalbach
Vice President, ESG
C.H. Robinson
Samantha Shiffman
Manager, Sustainability
J.Crew Group, Inc.
Andy Warner
Director of Partnerships
Remora
Location
Coastal Ballroom 4-5
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Breakfast

Please join us for breakfast and networking before the day begins.

Sponsored by Yellow

Location
Osceola Lobby
10:00 AM – 10:05 AM

Day 2 Opening Remarks

  • General Session
Join RILA as we launch Day 2 of LINK 2023.

Speaker
Brian Dodge
President
RILA
Location
Osceola Ballroom
10:05 AM – 10:50 AM

Supply Chain Leadership Insights (powered by RILA's Women in Supply Chain Network)

  • General Session
A panel of Chief Supply Chain Officers will share their personal leadership journeys, including how the role of CSCO is evolving, how they navigate demanding supply chain challenges, how changes in the retail business have impacted their supply chain teams, and offer their best advice to aspiring supply chain leaders.

Moderator
Elizabeth Hemann
Retail Head of Sales
Maersk
Speakers
Lori Bossman
Executive Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer
Ace Hardware Corp.
Roxanne Flanagan
Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer
Walgreen Co.
Rebecca Wlazlo
Senior Vice President, Supply Chain
Crate & Barrel Holdings, Inc.
Location
Osceola Ballroom
10:50 AM – 11:20 AM

Sustainability and the Supply Chain

  • General Session
Experts at Boston Consulting Group and RILA’s lead of CSR will explore opportunities to co-solve for transportation and sustainability challenges and identify areas to prioritize.

Moderator
Erin Hiatt
Vice President, CSR
RILA
Speakers
Shishir Agarwal
Senior Partner & Managing Director
The Boston Consulting Group
Vignesh Gowrishankar
Associate Director, Sustainability in Operations
The Boston Consulting Group
Location
Osceola Ballroom
11:25 AM – 12:05 PM

A Conversation with Peyton Manning

  • General Session
Peyton Manning knows what it takes to lead a team, and he knows a thing or two about delivering a game winning drive under pressure. Who better than Peyton to give retail supply chain executives some advice on what it takes to deliver during crunch time for consumers? Join us as Peyton shares his infusion of inspiration and humor alongside AutoZone CEO Bill Rhodes live on the main stage.

Moderator
Bill Rhodes
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
AutoZone, Inc.
Speaker
Peyton Manning
Two-Time Super Bowl-Winning Quarterback, Five-Time NFL MVP & Member of the Pro Football HOF
Location
Osceola Ballroom
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Sustainability Workshop & Roundtable: Collaboration Models in Supply Chain Sustainability

  • Breakout Session
As you build confidence in your company’s transportations emissions data, how can you incorporate leading practices in collaborating with internal and external partners to drive emissions reduction? What conversations should you be having with colleagues, peers and logistics service providers, as your company builds a future roadmap and determines which initiatives to prioritize? Join this workshop to hear a case study of a retail-service provider collaboration, learn about transportation emissions reduction initiatives to track, and participate in a live design thinking to explore how collaboration can unlock some of your most significant sustainability opportunities.

Moderator
Erin Hiatt
Vice President, CSR
RILA
Speakers
Charles Chambers
Director, North American Logistics
Floor & Decor
Jennifer Mosso
VP, Customer Success
Transfix
Location
Coastal Ballroom 4-5
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Lunch in the Expo Experience

  • Expo Experience
  • Networking Event
Join us for lunch and networking in the Expo Experience.​​​​ The Expo Experience will remain open until the end of the reception tonight.

Sponsored by LOG-NET

Location
Florida Exhibit Hall C-F
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Speaker Ready Room

Location
St. Cloud
12:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Expo Experience Open

  • Expo Experience
The Expo Experience opens for it's final day now! Join us to network with and learn from the service providers helping retailers meet their supply chain challenges and improve their results! The Expo Experience runs from 12:00 - 6:30 p.m. today.

Location
Florida Exhibit Hall C-F
1:32 PM – 1:42 PM

Get Smart Interview with FedEx

  • LINK Live!
Get Smart sessions are 10-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with solution-provider executives. Join us to hear their unique solutions to supply chain challenges.

Speaker
Stephen Tanner
VP WorldWide Sales
FedEx Corporation
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
1:42 PM – 1:52 PM

Get Smart Interview with Maersk

  • LINK Live!
Get Smart sessions are 10-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with solution-provider executives. Join us to hear their unique solutions to supply chain challenges.

Speaker
Eric Lindberg
Head of Business Development
Maersk
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

Sustainability Roundtable: Infrastructure & Investment Path Forward

  • Breakout Session
Zero emission supply chain transportation sound great in theory—but without the proper infrastructure in place, the realities of retail supply chain demands may make many shippers wary of being fast adopters. How do we bridge the gap between the realities of retail supply chain needs and the pace of infrastructure investment against the climate crisis? Join this expert roundtable to hear from government and supply chain multi-stakeholder initiatives about the state of zero emission shipping infrastructure, outstanding needs, and ways the retail industry can help ensure investment strategy is guided by supply chain realities.

Speakers
Adam Boyle
Global Capability Leader
Mars, Incorporated
Vignesh Gowrishankar
Associate Director, Sustainability in Operations
The Boston Consulting Group
Raj Ponnaluri
Manager, Emerging Technologies
Florida Department of Transportation
Location
Coastal Ballroom 4-5
1:52 PM – 2:02 PM

Get Smart Interview with SmarterX

  • LINK Live!
Get Smart sessions are 10-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with solution-provider executives. Join us to hear their unique solutions to supply chain challenges.

Speaker
Jacqueline Claudia
CEO
SmarterX
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
2:02 PM – 2:12 PM

Get Smart Interview with Isometric Technologies

  • LINK Live!
Get Smart sessions are 10-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with solution-provider executives. Join us to hear their unique solutions to supply chain challenges.

Speaker
Brian Cristol
COO & Co-Founder
Isometric Technologies
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
2:12 PM – 2:19 PM

Startup Conversation with WurkNow

  • LINK Live!
Startup conversations are 7-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with startup executives. Join us to hear innovative startup solutions to supply chain challenges

Speaker
Sammy Singh
Co-founder
WurkNow Inc
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
2:19 PM – 2:26 PM

Startup Conversation with Siena Analytics

  • LINK Live!
Startup conversations are 7-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with startup executives. Join us to hear innovative startup solutions to supply chain challenges

Speaker
John Dwinell
President and Founder
Siena Analytics
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
2:26 PM – 2:33 PM

Startup Conversation with Hyer

  • LINK Live!
Startup conversations are 7-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with startup executives. Join us to hear innovative startup solutions to supply chain challenges

Speaker
Dan DelGiudice
VP Partnerships
Hyer
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
2:33 PM – 2:40 PM

Startup Conversation with Exo Freight

  • LINK Live!
Startup conversations are 7-minute quick hitting 1-on1 interviews with startup executives. Join us to hear innovative startup solutions to supply chain challenges

Speaker
Jake McLeod
President & COO
EXO Freight
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - LINK Live! Stage
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM 2 Concurrent Events

Ask a Supply Chain Leader – Dollar General (Retailer-Only)

  • Breakout Session
Each “Ask a Supply Chain Leader” session features a senior retail supply chain executive and offers the unique opportunity for Q&A and discussion with some of the most notable supply chain leaders in the industry. These sessions are open only to retailers and are limited to 25 participants. The topics are up to you! Ask your most burning questions on supply chain issues, industry trends, career development, and more!

Speaker
Rod West
Senior Vice President, Distribution
Dollar General Corporation
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - Ask a Supply Chain Leader

LTL Marketplace Insights Report

  • Breakout Session
Mastio's latest LTL Carrier Customer Value & Loyalty Study identifies and quantifies the perceptions and needs of LTL shippers in the U.S. The study findings are based on data and insights collected by telephone interviews with key decision-makers. Mastio has been capturing insights from LTL Shippers for the last 18 years. Attendees of this session will learn which LTL Carriers provide a superior shipper experience and what study respondents believe are the most important factors related to the selection of LTL Carriers. In addition, attendees will gain insights into LTL Shippers’ experiences related to the communication issues surrounding the home delivery of their products.

Speakers
Jim Badovinac
VP, LTL Solutions
Green Mountain Technology
Jamie Campbell
Senior Logistics Manager
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Kevin Huntsman
President
Mastio & Company
Location
Coastal Ballroom 6-8
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM 4 Concurrent Events

Home-Court Advantage: How Fanatics Is Winning by Bringing Last-Mile Delivery In House

  • Breakout Session
Now more than ever, customers are demanding same-day and next-day delivery of their online purchases and packages. This shift in customer demand is causing a massive surge in added costs for many shippers while the customer experience can suffer, as overwhelmed carriers miss deadlines. So, how can shippers scale their local and next-day shipping strategies to meet the needs of the business and, most importantly, their customers? In this session, you'll hear how Fanatics is cutting out the middleman, speeding delivery times and creating efficiencies for their same-day and next-day orders. You'll learn how they built a solution that brings pre-sorting, packing and dock-to-door delivery all in-house, creating better control over costs, customer satisfaction and time to market.

Speakers
Marc Gorlin
Founder & CEO
Roadie
Skip Smith
Vice President of Operations
Fanatics
Location
Coastal Ballroom D9-10

Ongoing Changes in the Ocean Freight/Import Market

  • Breakout Session
The past couple years have created substantial unrest in the sea freight industry. Beneficial Cargo Owners have seen rate increases, blank sailings and per-diem charges at record levels. Ocean carriers, terminal operators, drayage providers and all other parts of our supply chains have also been impacted. In this session, hear how Home Depot has navigated these waters and employed best practices to manage cost and service, and how Kuehne & Nagel sees the future months unfolding.

Speakers
Sarah Galica
Vice President, Transportation
The Home Depot, Inc.
Bill Rooney
Vice President, Strategic Development
Kuehne + Nagel
Location
Coastal Ballroom A-C

Retailer-only Roundtable: Inventory/Demand Planning

  • Breakout Session
Inventory matters —management, planning, accuracy, etc.— have long been a key supply chain topic but have gained even more importance in the last few years. Join fellow retailers to discuss pressing issues in inventory management, demand planning and other related subjects. Topics may include managing impacts of disruption, systems/technology/innovation, KPIs & goals in a disrupted environment, maximizing inventory & space productivity, SKU proliferation, and more.

Speakers
Sydney Harris
Vice President of Distribution
At Home Group Inc.
Susanna Zhu
Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Operations & Commercialization
Bath & Body Works, Inc.
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - Retailer-Only Roundtable

Shaping a More Sustainable, Cost Effective and Seamless Fulfillment Experience with EVs

  • Breakout Session
Decarbonizing the fulfillment supply chain to electric vehicles is a complex task, but make no mistake, technology changes like light and medium duty EVs are coming and coming fast, especially for last mile and services applications. Policymakers have started to mandate and fund it; car and truck manufacturers are shifting future models toward it; and customers and employees see it as a needed sustainability solution. Come join IKEA and Best Buy, who have very different last mile fleets and operational models, in a wide-ranging discussion about the technical, financial and infrastructural constraints that must be solved to foster a more cost-effective, sustainable and seamless fulfillment experience.

Speakers
Hugh Cherne
Associate Director, Environmental Sustainability
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Steven Moelk
Fulfillment Project Implementation Manager, Zero Emission Delivery
IKEA North America Services, LLC
Location
Coastal Ballroom 1-3
3:45 PM – 4:15 PM

Snack Shop Break

  • Networking Event
Stop by the LINK2023 Snack Shop for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Sponsored by Expeditors

Location
Coastal Lobby
4:15 PM – 4:45 PM 2 Concurrent Events

Ask a Supply Chain Leader – Nordstrom (Retailer-Only)

  • Breakout Session
Each “Ask a Supply Chain Leader” session features a senior retail supply chain executive and offers the unique opportunity for Q&A and discussion with some of the most notable supply chain leaders in the industry. These sessions are open only to retailers and are limited to 25 participants. The topics are up to you! Ask your most burning questions on supply chain issues, industry trends, career development, and more!

Speaker
Ngoc Phan
Vice President, Supply Chain System & Engineering
Nordstrom, Inc.
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - Ask a Supply Chain Leader

Automation Isn’t Enough: Hudson’s Bay Looked Beyond Technology to Achieve E-Comm Success

  • Breakout Session
If you look around you see everyone is automating, but who’s successful and who fails goes beyond technology. Implementing the newest tech only takes you so far. Hudson’s Bay found automation success by looking at all aspects of their operation paired with the right-sized automation solution; transforming their current operation to create a foundation that will support their business for years to come.

Speakers
Mithun Sinharoy
Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Fulfillment & Logistics
Hudson's Bay Company
Will Tritle
New Business Development Consultant III
Bastian Solutions
Location
Coastal Ballroom D9-10
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM 4 Concurrent Events

Creating a Culture of Belonging at L.L.Bean’s Distribution Center

  • Breakout Session
In a time of workforce shortages across the country, creating a culture of belonging is critical. According to recent studies, workplace belonging can lead to an estimated 56% increase in job performance and a 50% reduction in turnover risk. Companies must be able to attract, hire, develop, and retain a diverse workforce across age, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, education, language, abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity and more. Join L.L.Bean leaders in a discussion about the strategies, initiatives, and actions they have taken to ensure every distribution center employee experiences inclusion and belonging at work.

Speakers
Deb Bolen-Morin
Senior Manager, Fulfillment Operations
L.L. Bean, Inc.
Janice O'Rourke
Program Manager, DEI & Senior Leader Development
L.L. Bean, Inc.
Location
Coastal Ballroom 6-8

Developing a Multi-Echelon Supply Chain and Inventory Strategy

  • Breakout Session
Learn how a segmented inventory approach can make sure the right product is in the right place at the right time.

Speaker
Daryl Glass
Vice President, Last Mile and Integration
Target Corporation
Location
Coastal Ballroom A-C

Retailer-only Roundtable: End-to-End Supply Chain and Flow

  • Breakout Session
The disruptions of the past few years have added greater focus on the need to dedicate resources and technology to planning and managing flow. Hear from fellow retailers & discuss how to start or accelerate your company’s journey to increase precision and effectiveness while reducing cost and inefficiencies.

Speakers
Wells Brummer
Vice President, Supply Chain & Transportation
Rue Gilt Groupe
Scott Hines
Senior Vice President, Supply Chain
The Finish Line, Inc.
Location
Florida Exhibit Hall - Retailer-Only Roundtable

Transportation Strategy for Sustainability Gains

  • Breakout Session
Your transportation strategy may be optimized for speed or cost… what about for emissions and sustainability? Go behind the scenes of a leading retailer’s system-wide approach, working across modes and collaborating with supplier and carrier partners to build a transportation strategy that is effective, efficient, smart, AND greener. Learn leading practices that your company can incorporate in pursuit of a more holistic approach to transportation planning —and discuss shared challenges among shipper and how the industry can move forward.

Speakers
Ron Guzzi
Senior Manager, Transportation Carrier Relations
The Home Depot, Inc.
Joy Hicks
Senior Manager, Environmental Sustainability
The Home Depot, Inc.
Chris Hoffmeister
Chief Commercial Officer
Hub Group
Location
Coastal Ballroom 1-3
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Expo Experience Reception

  • Expo Experience
  • Networking Event
Join other attendees for this year's final reception in Expo Experience.

Sponsored by Isometric Technologies

Location
Florida Exhibit Hall C-F
8:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Speaker Ready Room

Location
St. Cloud
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Registration and Information Desk Open

Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.

Location
Osceola Lobby
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Breakfast

  • Networking Event
Please join us for one more breakfast and networking before the day begins.

Sponsored by Hub Group

Location
Coastal Lobby
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM 3 Concurrent Events

Build a Reverse Logistics Strategy That Differentiates and Increases Profitability

  • Breakout Session
The pandemic accentuated the need for flexibility, as well as preparation, in all aspects of a business, including returns. Today’s retailers need a strategic yet flexible reverse logistics strategy more than ever before and one that differentiates their business and increases profitability. Learn from retailers with industry-leading reverse logistics strategies and discover ways to bring your returns strategy to the next level.

Speakers
Kyle Garrett
Vice President, Supply Chain
The Neiman Marcus Group
Michelle Hoang
Director Marketing
FedEx Corporation
Location
Coastal Ballroom 1-3

Delivery Management: Solving Destination Container Delivery Pains

  • Breakout Session
Under Pressure! Unrelenting port congestion, equipment shortages and DC capacity constraints were just some of the things these the retailers in this session overcame to ensure that the right goods were delivered to the right place, at the right time. Join this session to learn how accurate visibility to container arrival and availability coupled with data analytics helped these retailers not only minimize detention and demurrage costs but also prioritize the delivery of HOT containers to their DCs.

Speakers
Sean MacCorkle
Director, Order Management, The Americas
Expeditors
Kristen Martin
VP, Transportation
Caleres Inc.
Chelsea Morris
Senior Director, International Logistics
Dollar General Corporation
Erin Talbott
Director - Marketing & Communications
Expeditors
Location
Coastal Ballroom 6-8

How Supply Chains are Evolving to be Customer-Centric

  • Breakout Session
As supply chains are becoming more agile and proactive, we’ll explore how different retailers are evolving their supply chains to be customer-centric; what does it mean to them, how are they adapting to customer demand, and what the future holds for customer-centric supply chains.

Speakers
Sean Barbour
Vice President, Supply Chain
Macy's Inc.
Michael Gregory
Managing Director
Accenture
Mario Rivera
Senior Vice President, Supply Chain & Logistics
CVS Health
Rod West
Senior Vice President, Distribution
Dollar General Corporation
Location
Coastal Ballroom A-C
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM

Business Break

  • Networking Event
Enjoy snacks and refreshments while you check emails, make calls and network.

Location
Coastal Lobby
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM 3 Concurrent Events

The DC of the Future: Building Toward Environmental Sustainability

  • Breakout Session
Net zero facilities, automated picking, EV charging stations, renewables, reusable packaging, autonomous yard trucks, non-evaporative cooling HVAC…what will DCs of the future look like? Go behind the scenes of the journey to design and build REI’s latest facility and some of the cutting-edge innovations changing one of the fundamental components of retail supply chains: the distribution center.

Speakers
Ruchi Christensen
DVP, Supply Chain Operations
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)
Amanda Clark
Senior Project Manager, Supply Chain Strategy
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)
Location
Coastal Ballroom A-C

Transformational Technologies for Customer-Centric Retail Supply Chains

  • Breakout Session
Consumer demand for widespread product availability and rapid fulfillment has skyrocketed in recent years. There is no going back to single channel supply chains and standardized service levels. To create a customer centric supply chain at a reasonable cost, retailers must leverage technology to drive profitability. This session will provide user experiences through transformational IoT, cloud, and analytics tools to capture real-time data for insights and supply chain decision making; predict future performance and manage dynamic marketplace conditions; and promote visibility, catch supply chain issues early, and take corrective action.

Speakers
Kirk Ball
Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Giant Eagle, Inc.
Daniel Edsall
Principal
Deloitte Global Services Limited
Dan Whitacre
Senior Director, Kroger Labs and Transformation
The Kroger Co.
Location
Coastal Ballroom 6-8

Understanding Today’s Truck Driver

  • Breakout Session
A truck driver’s job is not easy. Work conditions are difficult, the job is as demanding as ever, and the lifestyle is not for everyone. While the nation-wide truck driver shortage continues to be at an all-time high, the average age of the driver is continuing to increase (currently mid to late 40’s). In this session, you’ll learn how leading retailers and carriers are leveraging emerging technologies and social media to increase driver retention and recruit a new breed of drivers into the workforce.

Speakers
Tony Bianco
Director, Intermodal Sales
CN
Matt Holt
Director of Logistics
Tempur Sealy International, Inc.
Mike Luffy
Senior Vice President, Logistics
National Retail Systems, Inc.
Scott Lyons
Vice President Retail
DHL
Location
Coastal Ballroom 1-3

Attend the can’t miss event for your supply chain team!