{"events":[{"id":12725,"global_id":"distributionstrategy.com?id=12725","global_id_lineage":["distributionstrategy.com?id=12725"],"author":"26","status":"publish","date":"2026-08-19 14:31:44","date_utc":"2026-08-19 18:31:44","modified":"2026-09-16 15:16:41","modified_utc":"2026-09-16 19:16:41","url":"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/event\/09-16-26-tlp-how-distributors-use-ai-to-drive-sales-effectiveness\/","rest_url":"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-json\/tribe\/events\/v1\/events\/12725","title":"How Distributors Use AI to Drive Sales Effectiveness","description":"
Technology Leader Panel<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The gap between distributors who are using AI to sell better and those who are still figuring it out is widening. This panel shows what the leaders are doing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
AI is finding its way into distributor sales organizations, but the results are uneven. Some teams are using it to sharpen prospecting, improve call preparation, and give managers better visibility into what’s actually happening in the field. Others have invested in tools that haven’t stuck, or launched pilots that never scaled. The difference is rarely the technology \u2014 it’s whether the organization built AI into how selling actually works, or bolted it on from the outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this Technology Leader Panel, distribution executives and sales technology leaders share how they’re putting AI to work across the sales function \u2014 what use cases are delivering real results, what separates implementations that take hold from those that stall, and how they’re thinking about the next wave of AI capability as it hits the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What You’ll Learn<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Join Us<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you lead sales, sales operations, or technology strategy at a distribution company, this panel will give you a grounded, practitioner-level view of where AI in distributor sales stands today and where it is headed. wave of warehouse automation in distribution., and operations leaders managing global supplier relationships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n John Murcott<\/p>\n\n\n\n EVP of Product and Strategy, HawkSearch by Bridgeline<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeffrey Porter<\/p>\n\n\n\n Principal Brand Evangelist, StockIQ<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob Hackney<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chief Technology Officer, SugarAI<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jim Harris<\/p>\n\n\n\n Senior Account Executive, Western Computer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n John Murcott<\/p>\n\n\n\n EVP of Product and Strategy, HawkSearch by Bridgeline<\/p>\n\n\n\n John Murcott is an entrepreneurial leader with nearly 20 years of experience in sales engineering, product management, and professional services, specializing in automation, integration, and enterprise SaaS. As EVP of Products and Strategy at Bridgeline, he drives strategic growth by helping customers increase revenue through intelligent search, personalization, and SEO optimization, while supporting sales with clear product vision and results-driven execution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Jeffrey Porter<\/p>\n\n\n\n Principal Brand Evangelist, StockIQ<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jeffrey Porter is Principal Brand Evangelist and a founding team member at StockIQ, with 35+ years of experience in manufacturing, distribution, supply chain, and technology. His career began at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), followed by seven years as a manufacturing development engineer at Hewlett-Packard where he kept supply chains competitive in a globalizing economy. Today, he uses those experiences to help mid-market distributors and manufacturers across various industries. Whether it be turning complex supply chain challenges into clear, actionable strategies for executives or helping planners reduce excess inventory, prevent stockouts, and streamline purchasing processes, Jeffrey has done it all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
Panelists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSponsors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nPanelists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n