Education Tracks

EDGE hosts a highly-respected educational program spanning the end-to-end supply chain with the latest in innovations, challenges, and insights. 

EDGE tracks are developed by member volunteers, known as Track Chairs. Track chairs are tasked with delivering up to six total sessions via EDGE Sessions 1-3, Monday, 9/19 and EDGE Sessions 4-6, Tuesday, 9/20. Sessions offer actionable takeaways with conversational dialogue.

C-Level Discussion Forums—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20

Track Chair: Gina Anderson, Vice President, Solutions and Growth, GEODIS USA

This track has a different format in that it offers attendees the opportunity to get up close and personal with leaders of companies in a shared-group experience. The audience will gain insight into the thoughts and concerns of executives who manage complex supply chains and their counterparts who lead logistics solutions companies. Share ideas, ask questions, compare experiences, and learn in a casual peer to peer setting.

Current Research and Surveys—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20

Get the latest in supply chain research and insights delivered by experienced thought leaders providing robust metrics and data to help you achieve your most critical priorities. Make sure to attend CSCMP's Annual State of Logistics Report®, presented by Penske Logistics Tuesday, 9/20, EDGE Session 4. 

Emerging Trends—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20

Due to the ever-changing dynamics of today’s global marketplace, it is vital that we examine upcoming future trends that may impact businesses. Explore topics that have emerged or will be in the future. 

Global Supply Chain—hosted Monday 9/19 and Tuesday 9/20

Co-Track Chair: Claudia Knowlton-Chike, Senior Director, Global Logistics, Google
Co-Track Chair: Chris Tuttle, Director, Customer Solutions, ORTEC

Global Supply Chain refers to the process in which a business operates on an international scale. Today’s global markets are volatile, unpredictable and complex with increasing ambiguity. Supply Chain leaders are challenged to lower costs, shorten lead times, provide more variety with on time delivery and reliable quality - despite the pandemic, tightening capacity, unheard of rates, labor shortages, supply constraints and structural challenges. How will you continue to bring a competitive advantage and keep leadership informed of risks and mitigation? What should your Board know? Never has there been a better time to be a leader in the supply chain - come hear how your peers and industry leaders are making advancements against the headwinds.

Leadership & Talent Development presented by CSCMP’s Young Professionals Committee—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20

Co-Track Chair: Victoria Brown, Director of Product, WMS, Nike
Co-Track Chair: Chelsea Howard, Enterprise Account Manager, FreightPlus

There’s a saying: “You get what you plan for.” Companies understand that principle when it comes to the goods they produce, but not when it comes to the people they hire and train. Session topics will focus on the strategy to building and retaining a workforce that meets the demands of a modern economy.

Network Planning and Optimization—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20

Co-Track Chair: Steve Johanson, President, Starboard Corp.
Co-Track Chair: Rafael Vasquez, Regional Vice President, Value Services, Coupa Software

Defined as a methodical process to establish a complete view of the organization's supply chain, a robust supply chain network can position companies for growth. Organizations that thrive and succeed in today's business environment, have unlocked the power of making better and faster decisions through systemic network planning and optimization processes. Every decision around facilities, sources, partners, demand being served, and logistics methods is a chance to stay ahead of your competitors and build a more efficient supply chain network. This track will focus on these processes and best practices that companies utilize to design their networks and continuously evolve them for better cost, service, resilience, and sustainability.

Order Fulfillment & Customer Service—hosted Monday, 9/19 only

Track Chair: Robert Liptrot, President, Boston Industrial Consulting

Order fulfillment is the process of receiving goods, as well as processing, delivering, and returning the product. Order Fulfillment has been more dynamic than ever, and the trend is for continued disruption. Fulfillment operations are dealing with higher wages, worker shortages, increased shipping charges, more stock-outs, smaller customer orders and greater competition. These effects are substantial and have driven leading companies to embrace technology for improving throughput and performance, while keeping the customer always in focus. Find out how some of the leading E-commerce and distribution operations have used innovative equipment, robotics and system strategies to handle their current financial and operational pressures. Learn how they intend to position themselves in the future to thrive, always seeking to improve the customer ‘touch’.

Risk Mitigation—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20

Co-Track Chair: Jeff Metersky, Vice President, Solution Strategy, Optilogic
Co-Track Chair: Lisa Snyder, Corporate Transportation Manager US Licensed Customs Broker, Armstrong World Industries

How do we strengthen today's brittle supply chains that seem to lack resilience? We will explore risk mitigation strategies that reduce either the likelihood of a risk occurring or minimize the extent of its impact. Understanding your organization’s appetite and tolerance levels and the benefits from changing them will influence the value of your mitigation efforts. Potential mitigation strategies and tactics will be explored through the lens of design and policy development, risk monitoring and impact assessment, and an effective operational response approach.

S&OP and Inventory Planning—hosted Tuesday, 9/20 only

Track Chair: John Ames Jr, Vice President, Business Development, Optilogic, Inc.

It is time to put a spotlight on key changes and innovations that are shifting the definition of S&OP and Inventory Planning and what it means to organizations. Living in the environment of scarce resources, incorporating risk more fully into demand/supply decision making, and leveraging advanced solving algorithms for use with non-technical analysts and small businesses will be areas we explore during our track sessions. We'll also bring in industry and technology experts to discuss new levers that are being used to manage demand, supply, and inventory and what this means to the future of S&OP as we head into the mid 2020's. We'll be looking at all of these topics through the lens of technology, people, and processes and with a focus on real-world examples to share with the CSCMP audience.

Sourcing Strategies—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20

Track Chair: Marisa Martin, Strategy-Office of Chief Executive Officer, Blume Global

A new track for 2022! Supply Chain Sourcing has been focused on the bottom line and short-term productivity. As we move forward as an industry, our practices will be completely re-defined. How can we influence supply and create supply chain resilience through leveraging dynamic supplier collaboration, supplier diversification, and value proposition? Join these sessions to set yourself up for success in the ever-shifting world of supply chain sourcing.

Specialty Supply Chain—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20

Track Chair: Sylvie Thompson, Consulting Vice President, Supply Chain Practice Leader, NTT Data

A new track for 2022! Have you ever wondered…? This track will give attendees a peek into some of the more unique supply chains operating today. Attendees will be given the opportunity to understand the unique challenges each has faced and learn how leaders within those supply chains have overcome these challenges such as: aftermarket supply chain, reverse logistics, ecommerce and more. Each session will provide an interactive forum to explore innovative ideas and help attendees understand how they can adopt and tailor these ideas within their own supply chains.

Sponsor Presentation Series I, II, III—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20 (Series III hosted Tuesday, 9/20 only)

CSCMP's EDGE sponsors offer sessions that focuses on the world-class products and services they offer. Although the series does not follow CSCMP’s traditional non-commercial educational guidelines, these sessions will provide you with the opportunity to explore the many solutions that will be offered.

Supply Chain Exchange Exhibitor Series I, II—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20 

These educational sessions provide you with a 360-degree view of modern and future supply chain innovation offered by leading companies and solution providers.

Sustainability—hosted Monday, 9/19 only

Co-Track Chair: Bill King, Director, Logistics Solutions Management, SAP
Co-Track Chair: Simone Ross, Chief Operating Officer, Setlog Corp

A new track for 2022! Most of today’s supply chains are changing in one way or another for different reasons including climate impact as well as changing attitudes about sustainability. With this growing interest in sustainability across the globe, there are plans under way to expand environmental initiatives, increase social compliance and improve transparency across the supply chain. Sustainability can look like an additional burden for supply chains. If managed correctly, it will separate your company from the competition and will create additional value both from a top and bottom-line perspective. This track will provide insights into how businesses are taking the next step in managing their sustainability efforts and provide a glimpse into future trends.

Technology & Innovations—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20

Co-Track Chair: Josh Main, Regional Vice President Alliances, Americas, project44
Co-Track Chair: Jon Mosher, Export Operations Lead, Bayer

COVID-19 amplified the need for technology tools to manage supply chain challenges and it is predicted that organizations will continue to invest in supply chain technology to address all areas of supply chain. This track will focus on the impact of supply chain disruptors and how organizations have utilized technology and innovative solutions to address these challenges. We will explore best practices and lessons learned in root cause analysis, implementation approach, change management, and KPI’s to understand effectiveness of solutions. In addition, foster an environment to build partnerships with new and existing vendors to innovate while keeping abreast of emerging technologies to help futureproof your company roadmap.

Transportation & Logistics presented by CSCMP’s Transportation Center of Excellence—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20

Co-Track Chair: Andy Dyer, President, Transportation Management, AFS Logistics
Co-Track Chair: Geoffrey Muessig, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, PITT OHIO

Driver shortages, port congestion, soaring freight rates, failing infrastructure, lack of dock workers and truck drivers have directly affected the freight market. All of which is predicted to continue through 2022. In times of disruption the transportation function must absorb and resolve upstream and downstream pressures. Supply chain professionals continue to work through these problems today. Shipper, carrier, and 3PL executives will discuss the strategies that they have used to solve recent transportation disruptions while also sharing their insight concerning the management of the challenges that lie ahead.

Warehousing & Distribution—hosted Monday, 9/19 and Tuesday, 9/20

Co-Track Chair: Robert Cluett, Director of Business Development & Customer Success, Syncontext Supply Chain
Co-Track Chair: Fergal Glynn, Vice President, Marketing, 6 River Systems, Inc.

Warehousing and Distribution proved challenging these last two years largely due to consumer purchasing behavior and the widespread transition to online shopping. Whether through government-imposed retail restrictions, rapidly changing consumer buying habits, and persistent labor shortages, even the most efficient and agile distribution operations were challenged with throughput bottlenecks and rising costs, among other things. This disruption was so substantial and long-lasting that its ripple effects are still being felt today and will continue to guide warehousing and distribution into the future. This track will have three primary objectives: 

1. Provide inspiring success stories highlighting unique cases of resilience, creativity and leadership. 
2. Provide actionable operational best-practices and insights from warehousing and distribution thought-leaders. 
3. Provide a platform for the most important short- and long-term trends and technology in warehousing and distribution.