BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Distribution Strategy Group - ECPv6.17.3.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://distributionstrategy.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Distribution Strategy Group REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260916T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260916T130000 DTSTAMP:20260916T191641Z CREATED:20260819T183144Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T191641Z UID:10000603-1789560000-1789563600@distributionstrategy.com SUMMARY:09/16/26 TLP: How Distributors Use AI to Drive Sales Effectiveness DESCRIPTION:Technology Leader Panel \n\n\n\nHow Distributors Use AI to Drive Sales Effectiveness\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWATCH Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe 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. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAI 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 — it’s whether the organization built AI into how selling actually works\, or bolted it on from the outside. \n\n\n\nIn this Technology Leader Panel\, distribution executives and sales technology leaders share how they’re putting AI to work across the sales function — 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. \n\n\n\nKey Takeaways \n\n\n\n\nWhere AI is having the most measurable impact on distributor sales performance right now\n\n\n\nHow leading organizations are integrating AI into sales workflows without disrupting what’s already working\n\n\n\nWhat the implementation and adoption challenges look like in practice\, and how practitioners are working through them\n\n\n\nHow sales managers are using AI to coach\, prioritize\, and improve visibility across their teams\n\n\n\nWhat distributor sales organizations should be evaluating and preparing for as AI capabilities continue to evolve\n\n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Learn \n\n\n\n\nThe specific AI use cases in sales prospecting\, account planning\, call prep\, and pipeline management that are delivering results for distributors\n\n\n\nHow to build adoption and trust in AI tools across a sales team that may be skeptical or already stretched\n\n\n\nWhat the rollout looks like when AI-assisted selling actually scales beyond the pilot stage\n\n\n\nHow to evaluate AI sales tools against the realities of a distribution sales environment\, not just vendor demos\n\n\n\n\nJoin Us \n\n\n\nIf 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. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelists\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJohn Murcott \n\n\n\nEVP of Product and Strategy\, HawkSearch by Bridgeline \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJeffrey Porter \n\n\n\nPrincipal Brand Evangelist\, StockIQ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBob Hackney \n\n\n\nChief Technology Officer\, SugarAI \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJim Harris \n\n\n\nSenior Account Executive\, Western Computer \n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsors\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelists\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJohn Murcott \n\n\n\nEVP of Product and Strategy\, HawkSearch by Bridgeline \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJohn 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. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJeffrey Porter \n\n\n\nPrincipal Brand Evangelist\, StockIQ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJeffrey 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. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBob Hackney \n\n\n\nChief Technology Officer\, SugarAI \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBob Hackney is Chief Technology Officer at SugarAI\, bringing more than two decades of experience leading technology transformation across product and engineering in global technical organizations. At SugarAI he oversees product\, engineering\, and the platform work behind the company’s AI-powered precision-selling CRM and revenue intelligence capabilities\, including Sugar Predict. Prior to SugarAI\, he served as CTO at PerfectServe and held senior leadership roles at SitusAMC and DaVita\, where he led large-scale modernization initiatives supporting DevOps\, business operations\, and machine learning. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJim Harris \n\n\n\nSenior Account Executive\, Western Computer \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJim Harris is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the cloud software and beverage industries. He specializes in helping suppliers and distributors achieve operational excellence using Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions. As a Senior Account Executive\, Jim focuses on empowering food and beverage companies to modernize operations\, boost profitability\, and stay competitive particularly through the 365WineTrade platform.   \n\n\n\n\n\nHost\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrian Hopkins \n\n\n\nChief Operations Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrian Hopkins is recognized for his expertise in customer service and operational efficiency within the industrial distribution sector. His career trajectory showcases a series of impactful leadership roles\, marked by innovation and strategic growth. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWatch Now URL:https://distributionstrategy.com/event/09-16-26-tlp-how-distributors-use-ai-to-drive-sales-effectiveness/ CATEGORIES:On-Demand Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://distributionstrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/09-16-TLP-Featured-Image.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260922T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260922T100000 DTSTAMP:20260917T023407Z CREATED:20260826T225208Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T023407Z UID:10000608-1790067600-1790071200@distributionstrategy.com SUMMARY:09/22/26Wholesale Change Podcast DESCRIPTION:Wholesale Change \n\n\n\nWeekly Podcast with Ian Heller and Mark BrohanTuesday Mornings 9AM ET / 6AM PT\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTwo distribution experts. One weekly breakdown. The earnings\, M&A\, and market moves that matter—decoded\, debated\, and delivered without the corporate filter. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWholesale Change – News\, Analysis\, and Opinions for Distributors \n\n\n\nWholesale Change is a weekly live news show for the distribution industry\, hosted by Ian Heller and Mark Brohan. Each episode dives into the stories that actually matter to distributors—earnings reports\, M&A\, AD and buying group developments\, Amazon Business\, AI\, and the strategies behind the headlines. \n\n\n\nThis isn’t a neutral recap; it’s a news + analysis + opinion program. Ian and Mark bring decades of distribution and B2B expertise to: \n\n\n\n\nExplain what’s really driving the numbers behind public and private distributors\n\n\n\nConnect quarter‑to‑quarter trends across leading players\n\n\n\nCall out who’s talking about AI vs. who’s actually doing it\n\n\n\nExplore what industry shifts mean for mid‑market distributors trying to compete at scale\n\n\n\n\nThe tone is lively\, candid\, and occasionally snarky—more “two experts telling you what they actually think” than “one more corporate webinar.” Regular segments\, lightning‑round questions\, and guest appearances from industry leaders keep the show fast‑paced and fun\, while still grounded in data and real‑world experience. \n\n\n\nWho it’s for:Executives\, strategy leaders\, finance and sales leaders\, and anyone in distribution who wants to stay ahead of what’s happening in the market—without having to read every earnings release and analyst note themselves. \n\n\n\nHow it works:Subscribe once and you’re set for the season. You’ll receive a single recurring Zoom link that works for every episode. There’s no need to register week after week\, and you can unsubscribe at any time. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHosts\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Heller \n\n\n\nCo-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMark Brohan \n\n\n\nExecutive Editor\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHosts\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Heller \n\n\n\nCo-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Heller joined Grainger as a part-time truck unloader in college and left fifteen years later as the VP Marketing. Since then\, he’s held senior executive positions at four other publicly-held firms\, consulted with dozens of distributors\, and continues to write and speak extensively on how AI\, strategy\, channel evolution\, and other major trends affect the industry. Ian holds a B.A. in History from Roosevelt University and an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMark Brohan \n\n\n\nExecutive Editor\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMark Brohan is a journalist and market researcher focused on B2B ecommerce\, wholesale distribution and digital transformation. With more than three decades of experience\, he analyzes how manufacturers and distributors use ecommerce\, data and emerging technologies to modernize sales and operations. He is a frequent conference speaker and moderator\, known for clear\, data-driven insight into B2B commerce strategy. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now URL:https://distributionstrategy.com/event/09-22-26-wholesale-change/ CATEGORIES:Upcoming Program,Wholesale Change Show ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://distributionstrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Wholesale-Change-NEW-Featured-Image-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260923T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260923T130000 DTSTAMP:20260904T190844Z CREATED:20260819T220413Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T190844Z UID:10000604-1790164800-1790168400@distributionstrategy.com SUMMARY:09/23/26 TLP: The Distributor's Technology "Dreamstack" DESCRIPTION:Technology Leader Panel \n\n\n\nThe Distributor’s Technology “Dreamstack”\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you could build your tech stack from scratch today\, what would you actually choose and what would you leave behind? \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvery distributor has accumulated technology over time — systems added in layers\, inherited through acquisitions\, or chosen to solve a single problem without a view of the whole. The result is a stack that works\, mostly\, but doesn’t hang together the way leaders wish it did. The question worth asking now is: if you were building from scratch today\, what would you actually choose? \n\n\n\nIn this Technology Leader Panel\, distribution executives and technology leaders come together to define what a purpose-built distributor tech stack looks like in 2026 — the platforms\, integrations\, and capabilities that belong in it\, and the legacy choices that don’t. Panelists will share what they’ve learned from real deployments\, what they’d do differently\, and how they think about making smart technology investments in an environment where the options keep expanding. \n\n\n\nKey Takeaways \n\n\n\n\nWhat the core components of a modern distributor tech stack look like and how they fit together\n\n\n\nWhere ERP\, CRM\, ecommerce\, analytics\, and AI tools intersect and where the gaps most often appear\n\n\n\nHow leading distributors are evaluating and prioritizing technology investments in 2026\n\n\n\nWhat integration and data strategy decisions have the biggest downstream impact on stack performance\n\n\n\nHow to build a technology roadmap that’s durable\, not just current\n\n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Learn \n\n\n\n\nThe platforms and capabilities distribution technology leaders would prioritize if building a stack today\n\n\n\nWhere current stacks are falling short and what’s most commonly missing or misaligned\n\n\n\nHow to think about the build vs. buy vs. integrate decision across the stack\n\n\n\nWhat success looks like when the technology actually works together as a system\n\n\n\n\nJoin Us \n\n\n\nIf you’re responsible for technology strategy\, operations\, or digital transformation at a distribution company\, this panel will give you a practical framework for evaluating where your stack stands and where to focus next. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelists\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGraham Rigby \n\n\n\nVice President\, Product Management for Distribution and Building Supply Industries\, Epicor Software \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlex West \n\n\n\nTechnical Lead\, Phocas Software \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRyan Ayers \n\n\n\nCo-Founder and CEO\, Suppli \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsor\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelists\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGraham Rigby \n\n\n\nVice President\, Product Management for Distribution and Building Supply Industries\, Epicor Software \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGraham Rigby is Vice President of Product Management for the Distribution and Building Supply industries at Epicor\, where he leads product strategy and innovation for solutions that help distributors modernize and scale their operations. With more than 25 years of experience spanning product management\, sales leadership\, and implementation\, Rigby brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing today’s distribution businesses. \n\n\n\nA founding leader behind Epicor’s Distribution business in North America\, he has played a key role in growing Epicor platforms into widely adopted solutions and in shaping Epicor’s broader distribution strategy. Known for his customer-centric approach\, Rigby works closely with organizations to align technology with real-world operational needs\, driving efficiency\, growth\, and long-term competitiveness. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlex West \n\n\n\nTechnical Lead\, Phocas Software \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlex West leads the US Technical Presales team at Phocas Software\, where he works with distributors daily on the analytics layer of the stack – automated financial statements\, sales and inventory analytics\, and rebate management. Because that work starts with connecting to whatever ERP and surrounding systems a distributor already has\, he sees firsthand which stack and data decisions make reporting straightforward and which ones make it expensive. Prior to Phocas\, Alex spent 12+ years in technical presales across reporting\, analytics\, and FP&A software\, serving customers in a range of industries and market segments. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRyan Ayers \n\n\n\nCo-Founder and CEO\, Suppli \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRyan Ayers is the Co-Founder and CEO of Suppli\, the digital credit teammate built for the physical economy that integrates with your ERP to monitor customers for changes in credit health\, proactively manage dunning\, and automate cash application. Under his leadership\, Suppli has become a trusted industry partner recognized by AD\, NAW\, ISA\, LMC and NACM. \n\n\n\n\n\nHost\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrian Hopkins \n\n\n\nChief Operations Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrian Hopkins is recognized for his expertise in customer service and operational efficiency within the industrial distribution sector. His career trajectory showcases a series of impactful leadership roles\, marked by innovation and strategic growth. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now URL:https://distributionstrategy.com/event/09-23-26-tlp-the-distributors-technology-dreamstack/ CATEGORIES:Upcoming Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://distributionstrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/09-23-TLP-Featured-Image.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260929T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260929T100000 DTSTAMP:20260917T023501Z CREATED:20260916T162245Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T023501Z UID:10000613-1790672400-1790676000@distributionstrategy.com SUMMARY:09/29/26Wholesale Change Podcast DESCRIPTION:Wholesale Change \n\n\n\nWeekly Podcast with Ian Heller and Mark BrohanTuesday Mornings 9AM ET / 6AM PT\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTwo distribution experts. One weekly breakdown. The earnings\, M&A\, and market moves that matter—decoded\, debated\, and delivered without the corporate filter. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWholesale Change – News\, Analysis\, and Opinions for Distributors \n\n\n\nWholesale Change is a weekly live news show for the distribution industry\, hosted by Ian Heller and Mark Brohan. Each episode dives into the stories that actually matter to distributors—earnings reports\, M&A\, AD and buying group developments\, Amazon Business\, AI\, and the strategies behind the headlines. \n\n\n\nThis isn’t a neutral recap; it’s a news + analysis + opinion program. Ian and Mark bring decades of distribution and B2B expertise to: \n\n\n\n\nExplain what’s really driving the numbers behind public and private distributors\n\n\n\nConnect quarter‑to‑quarter trends across leading players\n\n\n\nCall out who’s talking about AI vs. who’s actually doing it\n\n\n\nExplore what industry shifts mean for mid‑market distributors trying to compete at scale\n\n\n\n\nThe tone is lively\, candid\, and occasionally snarky—more “two experts telling you what they actually think” than “one more corporate webinar.” Regular segments\, lightning‑round questions\, and guest appearances from industry leaders keep the show fast‑paced and fun\, while still grounded in data and real‑world experience. \n\n\n\nWho it’s for:Executives\, strategy leaders\, finance and sales leaders\, and anyone in distribution who wants to stay ahead of what’s happening in the market—without having to read every earnings release and analyst note themselves. \n\n\n\nHow it works:Subscribe once and you’re set for the season. You’ll receive a single recurring Zoom link that works for every episode. There’s no need to register week after week\, and you can unsubscribe at any time. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHosts\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Heller \n\n\n\nCo-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMark Brohan \n\n\n\nExecutive Editor\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHosts\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Heller \n\n\n\nCo-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Heller joined Grainger as a part-time truck unloader in college and left fifteen years later as the VP Marketing. Since then\, he’s held senior executive positions at four other publicly-held firms\, consulted with dozens of distributors\, and continues to write and speak extensively on how AI\, strategy\, channel evolution\, and other major trends affect the industry. Ian holds a B.A. in History from Roosevelt University and an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMark Brohan \n\n\n\nExecutive Editor\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMark Brohan is a journalist and market researcher focused on B2B ecommerce\, wholesale distribution and digital transformation. With more than three decades of experience\, he analyzes how manufacturers and distributors use ecommerce\, data and emerging technologies to modernize sales and operations. He is a frequent conference speaker and moderator\, known for clear\, data-driven insight into B2B commerce strategy. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now URL:https://distributionstrategy.com/event/09-22-26wholesale-change-podcast/ CATEGORIES:Upcoming Program,Wholesale Change Show ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://distributionstrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Wholesale-Change-NEW-Featured-Image-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260929T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260929T130000 DTSTAMP:20260908T201330Z CREATED:20260825T142327Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T201330Z UID:10000605-1790683200-1790686800@distributionstrategy.com SUMMARY:09/29/26 SME: How Distributors are Driving Employee Engagement DESCRIPTION:Subject Matter expert \n\n\n\nHow Distributors are Driving Employee Engagement\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEngagement looks different when your workforce is in a warehouse\, a truck\, and a sales territory all at once. Here’s what actually works. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEmployee engagement has always been a challenge in wholesale distribution — a workforce spread across warehouses\, delivery routes\, and sales territories\, often with limited visibility into company direction and few natural touchpoints with leadership. The pressure is sharper now. Retention costs are real\, frontline expectations have changed\, and the organizations that figure out how to build genuine engagement across their entire workforce — not just corporate staff — are seeing it show up in performance. \n\n\n\nIn this Subject Matter Expert session\, Nancy Disbrow\, SHRM-SCP\, Managing Director of Talent at Nivalmi Consulting\, draws on her direct experience leading HR at a wholesale distributor to examine what employee engagement actually looks like in a distribution environment — the specific practices that move the needle\, why standard approaches often fall short in this industry\, and what distribution leaders can do starting now to build a more engaged workforce. \n\n\n\nKey Takeaways \n\n\n\n\nWhy employee engagement looks different in wholesale distribution and why generic HR approaches often miss the mark\n\n\n\nThe frontline engagement gap — where most distributors lose ground and what leading organizations are doing differently\n\n\n\nHow to build connection and visibility across a workforce that is rarely in the same place at the same time\n\n\n\nWhat managers at every level can do to drive engagement without adding bureaucracy or overhead\n\n\n\nHow engaged workforces in distribution translate to measurable outcomes in retention\, productivity\, and customer experience\n\n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Learn \n\n\n\nHow to build a culture of engagement that sustains itself through leadership transitions and periods of growth or change9\, 2026 at 9PT/12ET to explore how AI is transforming warehouse operations in wholesale distribution. \n\n\n\nPractical engagement strategies that work across the distinct segments of a distribution workforce — warehouse\, delivery\, inside sales\, outside sales\, and operations \n\n\n\nHow to assess where your organization stands on engagement and identify the highest-leverage areas to address first \n\n\n\nWhat communication\, recognition\, and development practices are making a real difference at peer distribution companies \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNancy Disbrow \n\n\n\nManaging Director of Talent\, Nivalmi Consulting \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGuest\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKristopher Shaffer \n\n\n\nProduct Manager\, Epicor Software Corporation \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsor\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNancy Disbrow \n\n\n\nManaging Director of Talent\, Nivalmi Consulting \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNancy Disbrow is Managing Director of Talent at Nivalmi Consulting\, where she partners with leaders to align people strategy with business goals. Nancy helps organizations build high-performing teams and scalable people systems that grow with the business. Drawing on her experience leading HR within distribution and logistics organizations\, she brings firsthand insight into what it takes to build engaged\, high-performing workforces in complex\, fast-moving environments. Nancy has a proven track record of turning people strategy into measurable business outcomes\, from stronger retention to improved productivity and culture. She regularly advises leadership teams on practical\, sustainable ways to strengthen engagement\, communication\, and performance across their organizations. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGuest\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKristopher Shaffer \n\n\n\nProduct Manager\, Epicor Software Corporation \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKristopher (“Kris”) Shaffer is a Product Manager at Epicor Software responsible for the company’s Connected Worker product portfolio and strategy. With more than a decade of experience working with customers to understand challenges and build products that empower their frontline workers\, optimize warehouse operations\, and accelerate digital transformation through connected workforce and manufacturing solutions. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHost\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJonathan Bein\, Ph.D. \n\n\n\nManaging Partner\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\nJonathan Bein Ph.D. has worked with over 100 distributors to apply advanced analytics and AI to improve customer experience\, define value proposition\, estimate sales potential\, and create digital strategy. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now URL:https://distributionstrategy.com/event/09-29-26-sme-how-distributors-are-driving-employee-engagement/ CATEGORIES:Upcoming Program ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://distributionstrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/09-29-SME-Featured-Image.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR