Schedule

February 17-19, 2025
The Woodlands, Texas

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott
Hotel & Convention Center


Marketplace Schedule

Download the printable schedule

*Schedule is subject to change. All times are Central Time Zone.*
*Committee, Task Force, and Board of Directors meetings are open to their respective members only.*

Sunday, February 16, 2025

3:30 pm–5:30 pm Executive Committee (Oak Ridge, 3rd Floor)
5:30 pm–6:00 pm Finance & Audit Committee (Oak Ridge, 3rd Floor)

Monday, February 17, 2025

7:00 am–5:00 pm Registration (Waterway Prefunction, 3rd Floor)
7:00 am–7:00 pm Exhibitor Move-In (Town Center, Lobby Level)
7:00 am–8:00 am InfoMetrics Advisory Council (Montgomery A, 3rd Floor)
8:00 am–8:30 am Governance & Nominating Committee (Oak Ridge, 3rd Floor)
8:30 am–9:30 am Events Planning Committee and
  Manufacturers Advisory Council (Montgomery A, 3rd Floor)
9:30 am–10:45 am Education & Research Committee (Montgomery A, 3rd Floor)
  Government Affairs Committee (Montgomery B, 3rd Floor)
  Industry Affairs Committee (Montgomery C, 3rd Floor)
11:00 am–12:00 pm CDA & DEF Board of Directors Meeting (Waterway 6, 3rd Floor)
11:45 am–1:15 pm Opening Lunch (Waterway 5, 3rd Floor)
12:30 pm–1:15 pm Emerging Products Task Force (Montgomery A, 3rd Floor)
1:30 pm–2:45 pm Opening Keynote: The Innovator's Dilemma: Navigating Our AI Future with Zack Kass (Waterway 4, 3rd Floor)
2:45 pm–3:00 pm Networking Break (Waterway Prefunction, 3rd Floor)
3:00 pm–5:30 pm Workshop: AI Solutions for Distribution
          with Ian Heller, Jonathan Bein, Ph.D., and Brian Hopkins (Waterway 4, 3rd Floor)
        4:30 pm–4:45 pm         Networking Break (Waterway Prefunction, 3rd Floor)
5:45 pm–6:45 pm Texas Welcome Reception (Town Center Prefunction, Lobby Level)

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

7:00 am–5:30 pm Registration (Waterway Prefunction, 3rd Floor)
7:00 am–8:00 am Breakfast (Waterway 5, 3rd Floor)
7:00 am–9:00 am Exhibitor Move-In (Town Center, Lobby Level)
8:00 am–9:00 am Tuesday Kickoff Session: State of the Industry Overview and Panel Discussion
          with Tremayne Arnold, Jodi Buckner, John Prickette and Kevin Smartt (Waterway 4, 3rd Floor)
9:00 am–2:00 pm The Marketplace Trade Show (Town Center, Lobby Level)
        9:00 am–2:00 pm         Lone Star Lounge
        9:00 am–2:00 pm         Marketplace Gives Back (School Supply Kits for Kids)
        9:30 am         1st Prize Wheel Drawing
        10:30 am         2nd Prize Wheel Drawing
        11:30 am         3rd Prize Wheel Drawing
        12:30 pm         4th Prize Wheel Drawing
        12:30 pm–1:30 pm         Lunch in the Lone Star Café area of the Trade Show
        1:15 pm         5th Prize Wheel Drawing
        1:45 pm         Marketplace Grand Prize Giveaway
2:00 pm–6:00 pm Exhibitor Move-Out
2:15 pm–3:15 pm Feature Session: Growth Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone
          with Coach Ken Carter (Waterway 4, 3rd Floor)
3:30 pm–5:00 pm Distributor Showcase (Waterway 5, 3rd Floor)
6:15 pm–9:30 pm Lone Star Soirée
        6:15 pm–6:45 pm         Cocktails (Waterway Prefunction, 3rd Floor)
        6:45 pm–8:15 pm         Dinner (Waterway 4, 3rd Floor)
        8:15 pm–9:30 pm         Texas Nightcap (Waterway Prefunction, 3rd Floor)

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

7:00 am–8:00 am Breakfast (Waterway 5, 3rd Floor)
8:00 am–9:30 am Wednesday Kickoff Session: Cybersecurity in the Age of AI with Alex Spigel (Waterway 4, 3rd Floor)
9:30 am–9:45 am Networking Break (Waterway Prefunction, 3rd Floor)
9:45 am–11:00 am Closing Session: What Now? Politics in America
          with Scott Jennings and Kathee Facchiano (Waterway 4, 3rd Floor)
11:00 am Marketplace Concludes – That’s a Wrap!