CSCMP’s EDGE Conference & Exhibition – The Ultimate Guide to the Supply Chain Exchange, Trends & Networking

Recommendation: Book EDGE passes early and map your day closely to hit high-priority sessions and convenient 1:1 conversations. Start with three tracks: retail innovations, multi-shoring strategies, and sustainable programs, then align them with exhibitors you want to meet. If you see cheryl from penskes at the registration desk, ask for her tips on logistics-focused booths and partner drops.

At the EDGE Exchange, competition among providers is real and productive. Plan visits to compare capabilities side by side, request live demos, and capture a concise problem statement for each vendor. The floor brings shippers, forwarders, and rail operators together, creating a natural space for conversation and practical collaboration.

Publications from CSCMP and smeal faculty highlight current priorities: retail demand shaping, multi-shoring optimization, and sustainability across networks. bringing these insights to EDGE helps you critique proposals with quantitative criteria. Use your notes to build a short list of priorities and a vendor evaluation matrix to streamline decision-making.

To convert conversations into outcomes, use the EDGE mobile app to schedule 15-minute exchanges, arrive with a 60-second elevator pitch, and collect at least five contact cards per day. Prioritize shippers and forwarders with rail connections, and set follow-ups within 48 hours to keep momentum. Conversation and follow-up discipline deliver measurable results.

After the event, consolidate notes in a single file, share a summary with your team, and align supply-chain improvements with multi-shoring and sustainability goals. For example, use the trends highlighted by publications and the experiences of penskes clients to justify a two-week pilot on the rail corridor, aiming to streamline operations and achieve faster cycle times.

EDGE remains a practical arena for taking action: set a 30-60-90 day plan, assign owners for each initiative, and track progress against defined KPIs. Given the variety of stakeholders, align actions with measurable KPIs. When you align with the right conversations, you reduce waste, speed decision cycles, and bring tangible value to your retail and logistics networks.

EDGE Conference Practical Takeaways for Supply Chain Professionals

Implement real-time demand sensing across the network to cut stockouts and returns, boosting fill rates by 15-20% in the next quarter.

Key actions to deploy now:

• Real-time data fabric: connect ERP, WMS, TMS, and supplier portals to a single view; track orders, inventory, and shipments continuously, reducing decision latency.
• Demand signals and case alignment: standardize demand signals across online and offline channels; use a 13-week rolling forecast, with weekly updates; discuss in cross-functional forums to reach agreed targets.
• Nearshoring and manufacturing: move selected production to nearshore sites in the asia-pacific region to cut lead times and transportation costs; expect a 25-40% improvement in delivery speed.
• a case example: a consumer goods firm blended real-time dashboards with nearshoring, cutting quarter lead times and saving about one million dollars annually.
• Labor and careers: upskill labor via institute-backed programs; define clear careers paths for operations and analytics; implement a 6-month program with 3 cohorts to lift productivity by ~25%.
• Sourcing and resilience: diversify sources; add two to three suppliers per critical SKU; use online collaboration tools to monitor supplier performance and resilience; this changed the cost structure for several categories.
• Management and governance: align a vice president and the extended management team; agreed on KPIs such as on-time delivery, forecast accuracy, and returns rate; establish quarterly reviews.

Unveiled insights and data foundations to track:

• Sources: supplier performance data, carrier telemetry, and post-sales feedback from industry institutes and research bodies.
• Advancement: new analytics tools enable real-time scenario planning and risk scoring, helping teams discuss options quickly with executives.
• Expectations: market demands will remain volatile; prepare scenario plans for higher demand spikes in the same quarter or during peak seasons.

Asia-Pacific and online collaboration focus:

1. Nearshoring decisions should balance cost and lead time; run a quick model to compare scenarios across regions in the next online planning meeting.
2. Manufacturing capacity in selected sites should be flexible; slightly adjust capacity in response to demand shifts to avoid overstock.
3. Returns handling and reverse logistics: design reverse flows to recover value; track returns rate and disposition across channels.
4. Careers and labor development: partner with institutes to build pipelines; set targets for apprentice and early-career hires to support resilience.

Quick wins to discuss in the next meeting:

• Capture real-time data from 4-5 critical suppliers in the asia-pacific region; aim to reduce data latency to under 15 minutes.
• Publish online dashboards visible to management and operations; ensure data quality sources are validated and reconciled.

Bottom line: EDGE insights point to a resilient network built on real-time visibility, strategic nearshoring, and a strong talent pipeline. A focused plan in the next quarter can yield measurable gains, including a million-dollar impact in cost and service improvements across key markets.

Define your attendee persona: which roles, regions, and budgets should be prioritized

Recommend three attendee archetypes and allocate budgets by priority: regional operators and transport planners in america and non-eu markets; university professor and researchers; and corporate staff from procurement, planning, and operations. Align content with their needs: cost control, reliable supply, and practical adoption of new strategies. Build a resource toolkit that includes case studies, templates, and ready-to-use dashboards. Establish a council to oversee alignment, with inputs from hildebrandt, paul, and other regional leaders.

Prioritized roles and regions: VP/Director of Supply Chain, Logistics Operations Manager, and Sourcing Lead; university professor or department chair; and experienced operators who influence day-to-day decisions. Regions to focus on are america first, then select non-eu markets with growing trade links; include in chad as a regional test case for engagement. Budgets are tiered: Tier A for executives and senior staff: 40% of the outreach budget; Tier B for mid-level staff: 35%; Tier C for students, researchers, and early-career staff: 25%. Address talent shortage by dedicating a portion of Tier B funds to upskilling and exchange programs, provide travel stipends and rent offsets to ensure attendance in high-cost hubs; set lodging allowances of roughly 150 USD per night in america and 120-180 USD in non-eu cities.

Content and messaging: tailor topics to america and non-eu audiences; cover latest insights on risk management, supply resilience, and operations excellence; include exploration sessions with university partners to provide real-world context. Build partnerships with home institutions and professional networks; offer a resource kit with slide decks, exercises, and post-event templates that attendees can reuse. Work with the council to refine outreach cadence from planning to the event, and keep paul and chad informed, while hildebrandt coordinates cross-regional input.

Measurement and optimization: track persona-specific engagement (registrations, attendance, session picks) by region and budget tier; monitor conversions to partnerships and academic collaborations after the event. Use a hybrid delivery approach to maximize reach, with on-site and virtual options that respect different time zones and languages. The outcome is a balanced attendee mix that reflects america and non-eu markets, and aligns resources with demand through ongoing dialogue with the council.

Draft a 60-minute EDGE floor plan: route exhibitors, sessions, and networking targets

Draft a 60-minute EDGE floor plan that clusters exhibitors by domain, aligns each cluster with a session, and targets intentional networking. Build a clockwise route that minimizes backtracking and keeps walkers moving from the entrance toward the main stage and lounge areas.

Position four zones inside opryland’s expo footprint: Zone A Shipping & cargo; Zone B Tech & data tools; Zone C Retail & shoppers experiences; Zone D Transportation services and trucks. The main stage sits between Zone B and Zone C, enabling smooth transitions from sessions to live demos and guiding shoppers toward essential exhibit showcases.

Use color-coded signage and a live map on screens to guide the route; provide update chips via QR codes so attendees can personalize their path and capture relevant connections. Keep the floor dynamic with live adjustments if a session runs short or an exhibitor needs a longer demo window.

60-minute flow: 0-5 arrivals and orientation; 5-15 quick loop through key zones with a focus on flagship exhibit and fast demos; 15-28 Session Track One focused on cargo patterns and shipping speed; 28-40 Session Track Two focused on retail tech and data insights; 40-50 five-minute rapid networking rounds with pre-matched targets; 50-60 wrap, notes, and plan for next steps.

For networking, pair attendees by goals in procurement, operations, shipping, and IT; set 3-5 short conversations per attendee and run micro-mentoring circles around current challenges; emphasize patterns like purchases, cargo handoff, and issues in the supply chain to gather actionable ideas. Track gained insights to refine the next EDGE run and keep the plan relevant and extremely effective.

The plan relies on input from tyler and brindley from the EDGE team, founded this approach; theyre using live data to tune the flow for speed and efficiency. Update the route after each edition to minimize little frictions and maximize successful connections, making the experience valuable for shoppers, exhibitors, and sponsors alike.

Master on-site networking: icebreakers, elevator pitches, and post-event follow-up

Begin with a 60-second elevator pitch and a crisp icebreaker to set the tone today. State who you are, what you do, and one concrete next step you want to secure, such as a 15-minute follow-up call. Align your message with EDGE priorities, focusing on traffic lanes, last-mile bottlenecks, and cross-border collaboration between non-EU regions and the China-US corridor.

Icebreaker ideas that work in a crowded expo hall:

– Ask: “What priority drives your logistics choices this week?”

– Prompt: “If you could reallocate a single lane today, which one would you target and why?”

Elevator pitch template: “I’m [name], [title] at [company]. I help [target audience] solve [problem] by [solution]. Our impact is [metric]. Could we connect for 15 minutes at EDGE to explore how this applies to your priorities?”

Example with a name for context: “Hi, I’m Zimmerman, an associate at [firm]. I help finance teams optimize cross-border flows between non-EU regions and the China-US corridor by streamlining data sharing and last-mile planning. Our standard approach has increased on-time delivery by double digits and reduced congestion across lanes. Could we schedule a 15-minute chat after the conference?”

Post-event follow-up should occur within 24 hours. Send a concise recap, include a concrete next step (a calendar invite or resource), and reference a detail from the conversation to show credibility. If the goal includes careers in logistics, offer an orientation call or online resources to keep momentum, and propose a monthly touchpoint to sustain the connection without overwhelming the other party.

Component	Recommendation
Icebreakers	Use two quick prompts that invite concrete details about priorities, lanes, or bottlenecks. Example prompts: “What priority drives your logistics choices this week?” and “If you could reallocate a single lane today, which one and why?”
Elevator pitches	60-second structure: who you are, who you help, the problem you solve, the proof, and a specific next step (e.g., a 15-minute follow-up). Include a regional angle when relevant (non-EU, China-US) to demonstrate scope.
Follow-up templates	Within 24 hours, send a tailored email: reference the conversation, restate the proposed next step, attach a brief resource, and propose a time window for a call or online meeting.
Metrics to track	Conversations per hour (aim 6–8 substantive talks), quality conversations (4+ with clear next steps), response rate within 48 hours (target 40–60%), and the rate of calendar invites accepted after EDGE.

Extract trends from the expo: potential impact on procurement, logistics tech, and risk mitigation

Four-quarter plans replace fragmented procurement workflows with grouped, data-driven actions anchored in cscmp’s EDGE expo insights. Schedule four quarterly reviews and establish a monthly dashboard that tracks demand, loads, and returns by segments, and align supplier plans with shippers’ needs.

Engage stakeholders across segments in markets such as washington and atlanta to co-create risk controls and sourcing strategies. Document responsibilities, metrics, and escalation paths; ensure workers on the floor understand new packs and inventory flows until stabilization.

Invest in a technological stack that unifies ERP, WMS, and TMS with real-time analytics. The expo provides indicative gains: faster inventory turns, reduced returns handling, and clearer loads; measure progress with monthly KPIs.

Create backup routes and supplier alternatives; map loads to secondary carriers; test contingency plans through tabletop drills. In pilots across corning, delta corridors, and hildebrandt integrations, monitor delays and capacity gaps; adjust plans quickly.

From cscmp, the expo provides guidance to act now: unify planning, track results monthly, and keep management aligned with shippers and workers.

Convert conference learnings into action: 30-60-90 day implementation steps

Adopting a disciplined action plan, identify 5 topics from the CSCMP EDGE conference that directly link to your chain priorities: direct-to-consumer, last-mile, trucks, household delivery, and data-driven processes. Create a 30-day sprint with clear owners, milestones, and a baseline for each metric. Expect quick gains from small changes–reducing touch points in the direct-to-consumer flow, tightening handoffs between warehouses, and improving accuracy in household orders. Build a lightweight dashboard that tracks metrics such as order accuracy, on-time shipments, and data completeness, and share it with the ohio team for transparency. In this setup, assign jackson to lead the direct-to-consumer pilot and biehn to coordinate data quality and reporting. The team remained engaged with the pilot.

Over the 60-day window, convert learnings into 2-3 formal processes and establish governance. Focus areas include: a) order orchestration for direct-to-consumer, b) last-mile routing and capacity planning on trucks, and c) a data-integration routine that feeds your ERP/WMS. Set concrete goals and measure progress with a simple scorecard that shows data completeness, on-time performance, and cost per shipment. Expand ohio-based tests and bring in exporters to align documentation and payments, addressing barriers that impede scale. Increase collaboration by pairing operations with IT and product teams to elevate cross-functional discipline and ensure the data you rely on remains robust. The approach remained aligned to the chain and highlighted where gaps persisted.

By roughly 90 days, optimize and scale the most effective changes. Consolidate a clear governance model: owners, SLAs, and a cadence for reviews. Use the data you collected to identify rising trends and adjust targets: increasing service levels, expanding cross-functional capacity, and adjusting thresholds for direct-to-consumer orders. Extend households and last-mile improvements to new markets while staying focused on core topics. Track incremental savings and customer metrics to show impact to leadership, and keep jackson and biehn in charge of monitoring ongoing efforts and reporting to stakeholders. Align exporters’ participation to sustain improvements above baseline.