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February 17-19, 2025
The Woodlands, Texas

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott
Hotel & Convention Center

Education Sessions

 

Monday, February 17

1:30 pm–2:45 pm   Opening Keynote:

 
The Innovator's Dilemma: Navigating Our AI Future
Pioneering the Path Towards an AI-Empowered Future – The Innovator’s Roadmap
Presenter: Zack Kass
Zack Kass, AI Keynote Speaker, navigates the challenges and opportunities that lie at the forefront of AI innovation. He dissects the paradoxical landscape where technology moves at an astounding pace, yet practical, scalable solutions remain elusive.

In this keynote, Zack highlights how innovators can transform these challenges into stepping stones to success in an AI-driven era. Drawing on his vast experience in AI strategy and implementation at OpenAI, Zack offers a pragmatic approach to future-proofing your business.

He provides a forward-thinking perspective, sharing lessons learned, strategies adopted, and the transformative power of resilience in the face of relentless technological progression.

Key Takeaways:
• Lessons from the frontlines of AI strategy and implementation
• Actionable approaches to future-proofing your business in an AI-driven world
• Insights into how innovators can turn these challenges into opportunities
3:00 pm–5:30 pm
Break: 4:30 pm–4:45 pm		   Workshop:

HellerBein		  
AI Solutions for Distribution
Presenters: Ian Heller, Jonathan Bein, Ph.D. and Brian Hopkins
Join us for a two-hour and fifteen-minute, interactive workshop as Distribution Strategy Group's leadership team shares practical ways to benefit from implementing artificial intelligence today. Jonathan Bein, Ian Heller, and Brian Hopkins have developed and delivered multiple workshops and webinars on this topic, including producing the only two major AI conferences for distributors.

In this unique, first-of-its-kind workshop, you'll learn practical tips and strategies through case studies, processes, and specific AI solutions you can implement today to:
• Improve sales productivity
• Enhance margins
• Gain customer service productivity
• Raise delivery performance
• Manage returns more effectively
• Improve service levels and inventory performance simultaneously
• Collect receivables more quickly
• Enhance warehouse productivity, safety and security
• Provide better tools for talent management
• Drive better use of analytics across the enterprise

This session will include roundtable discussions and Q&A with the presenters. Additionally, you will see step-by-step how distributors are using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to improve their operations today. Bring your laptop and follow along, as you learn specific techniques and shortcuts that your sales and operations teams can start using immediately. These aren't theoretical examples – they are real solutions that you can use right now.

Tuesday, February 18

8:00 am - 9:00 am

  

Tuesday Kickoff Session:

State of the Industry Overview and Panel Discussion
Presenters: Tremayne Arnold, Jodi Buckner, John Prickette and Kevin Smartt
Attendees will hear an overview of the current state of the industry. Panelists will share industry trends, opportunities for growth and innovation, strengthening supply chain resilience, overcoming external challenges, and best practices for success in an ever-evolving landscape.

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm

  

Feature Session:

Growth Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone
Presenter: Coach Ken Carter
Coach Ken Carter, famously portrayed in the movie "Coach Carter,” is one of the most sought-after "success speakers" globally. He is a renowned author, speaker, and philanthropist.

During his keynote address, Coach Carter will draw on his extensive coaching experience to share invaluable lessons on teamwork, accountability, integrity, and leadership. He firmly believes that greatness is defined by the service you provide to others, and he'll provide practical advice on how to excel in today's world, both on and off the court.

Prepare to be energized and equipped with actionable takeaways as Coach Ken Carter imparts his wisdom and experiences.

 

Wednesday, February 19

     

8:00 am - 9:30 am

  

Wednesday Kickoff Session:

Cybersecurity in the Age of AI
Presenter: Alex Spigel
Alex Spigel, Co-Founder and COO of Choice Cyber Solutions, will walk attendees through safeguarding their businesses from cyber threats that are lurking around every corner when it is more critical than ever in this era where algorithms reign supreme. Spigel will dive deep into the digital battlefield and arm attendees with the knowledge to defend their businesses against modern-day threats.

The session will cover the hottest topics that keep executives up at night including:

1. The Rise of AI-Powered Cyber Attacks: Explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape and enabling sophisticated cyber threats that traditional defenses struggle to counter.

2. Data Breach Epidemic: Protecting Your Digital Fortresses: Learn strategies to fortify your distribution company’s defenses against data breaches, ransomware attacks and other malicious intrusions that can wreak havoc on your operations and reputation.

3. Securing Supply Chains in a Hyper-Connected World: Discover best practices for securing your supply chain against cyber threats, ensuring the integrity and reliability of your products and services in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

4. Human Factor: Building a Cyber-Aware Culture: Uncover the importance of fostering a cyber-aware culture within your organization and empowering your employees to become the first line of defense against cyber threats.

5. Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape: Stay ahead of the regulatory curve by gaining insights into the latest cybersecurity regulations and compliance requirements that impact your distributorship.

Don't miss this opportunity to level up your cybersecurity game and protect your distribution company from digital predators with this unique cybersecurity masterclass.
     

9:45 am - 11:00 am

  

Closing Session:

What Now? Politics in America
Presenters: Scott Jennings and Kathee Facchiano

Join Scott Jennings, a seasoned political strategist and Senior CNN Political Contributor, and Kathee Facchiano, CDA Policy Advisory, for an insightful discussion on the current state of American politics. With experience spanning four presidential campaigns and years in the White House, Jennings brings a wealth of knowledge to this session, and he'll offer his expert analysis on the political landscape. This session promises to be an engaging exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing the country in light of November's election outcomes.

 

 

About CDA

The Convenience Distribution Association (CDA) is the trade organization working on behalf of convenience products distributors in the United States. Its distributor members represent more than $102 billion in U.S convenience product sales, serving a wide variety of small retail formats. Associate members include leading convenience product manufacturers, brokers, retailers, suppliers and others allied to the industry.

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Disclaimer

CDA does not endorse any product or service that is advertised in CDA magazines or newsletters, displayed at CDA trade shows, or otherwise promoted by CDA members. CDA has not verified whether any tobacco or deemed tobacco product is authorized pursuant to current FDA rules and regulations. CDA shall not be liable for any purchase of, use by, or claim relating to any advertised product.

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  •   Address:
    11250 Roger Bacon Drive #8,
    Reston, VA 20190
  •   Phone:
    (703) 208-3358
  •   Fax:
    (703) 573-5738