{"id":10340,"date":"2026-05-07T00:38:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T04:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/?page_id=10340"},"modified":"2026-08-07T13:45:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T17:45:51","slug":"agenda","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/ai-forum-atlanta\/agenda\/","title":{"rendered":"AI Forum Atlanta &#8211; Agenda"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\" style=\"min-height:430px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"432\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-10403 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AI-Forum-Website-ATL-HP_Header-1024x432.png\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AI-Forum-Website-ATL-HP_Header-1024x432.png 1024w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AI-Forum-Website-ATL-HP_Header-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AI-Forum-Website-ATL-HP_Header-768x324.png 768w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AI-Forum-Website-ATL-HP_Header-1536x647.png 1536w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AI-Forum-Website-ATL-HP_Header-2048x863.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-blue-800-background-color has-background-dim-20 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-headline-font-family has-xxxl-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:-0.015em\">Agenda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-serif-font-family has-md-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>One Day. One Room. The Full AI Agenda. <\/strong>A curated day of keynotes, sponsor-led AI solution sessions, a distributor leader panel, and four dedicated networking touchpoints with senior distribution leaders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-custom-wrapper width-wide\"><div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">7:00 \u2013 8:15 AM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Breakfast &amp; Networking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Foyer + Expo Hall \u00b7 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-gray-50-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">8:15 \u2013 8:30 AM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Welcome &amp; Table Sponsor Intros<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Main Room<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">8:30 \u2013 9:00 AM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Opening Keynote: Overview of AI in Distribution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Jonathan Bein, PhD \u2014 Managing Partner, DSG<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:150px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jonathan-Bein-Headshot-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9803\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jonathan-Bein-Headshot-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jonathan-Bein-Headshot-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jonathan-Bein-Headshot-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jonathan-Bein-Headshot-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Jonathan-Bein-Headshot-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:5px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-de8bb87c wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"letter-spacing:-0.02em\">About Jonathan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.4\">Jonathan 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details has-monospace-font-family has-sm-font-size is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"text-transform:uppercase\"><summary>More<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.4;text-transform:none\">Before Distribution Strategy Group, Bein has successfully led and been part of executive management for software product and services companies in information technology, healthcare and communications. Bein has been CEO of several companies including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"text-transform:none\" class=\"wp-block-list has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size\">\n<li><strong>SkyeTek<\/strong> \u2014 grew revenues and valuation four-fold of RFID manufacturer in seven months.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>IGS, Inc.<\/strong> \u2014 delivered software solutions for companies such as AT&amp;T, Comcast, Verizon, and Lucent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bolder Heuristics, Inc.<\/strong> \u2014 achieved Inc 500 ranking with software services for telecommunications, healthcare, and IT.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.4;text-transform:none\">As CTO at Informed Access, a provider of phone-based healthcare triage, he drove development of core products and services and the company was subsequently sold for $300 million. At Martin Marietta, he applied artificial intelligence to perform automatic real-time fault handling of spacecraft hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.4;text-transform:none\">Bein earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Colorado with a focus in Artificial Intelligence and a BA in Computer Science at Indiana University.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-gray-50-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">9:05 \u2013 9:30 AM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">The Next Era of Distribution: Why the Future Belongs to Distributors Who Understand Their Customers Best<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The next era of distribution won\u2019t be defined by who adopts AI first. It will be defined by who uses it to understand and serve customers better than anyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>MORE<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">For the past year, distribution&#8217;s AI conversation has centered on one question: how does AI make us more efficient? This keynote reframes it. Efficiency is real \u2014 but it isn&#8217;t why customers choose you. They choose the distributor who understands them: the rep who notices when an order doesn&#8217;t look right, prepares before tomorrow becomes today&#8217;s problem, and comes through when it matters most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Those behaviors have always defined exceptional distributors. They have also always been constrained by time, capacity, and the experience locked inside a handful of veteran reps. What happens when they no longer are?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Jack Carrere, CEO and Co-founder of Prokeep, draws on over a decade spent at distributor counters across North America to argue that AI&#8217;s greatest opportunity isn&#8217;t operational \u2014 it&#8217;s relational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><br>This session introduces a new lens: AI not as a force multiplier measured in speed and output, but as the first service multiplier the industry has ever had. The winners of the next five years won\u2019t be the distributors with the smartest technology. They\u2019ll be the ones customers can\u2019t imagine leaving and the result of this is more orders because those customers not only don\u2019t leave, they choose to buy more from you.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"208\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Prokeep.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11700\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Prokeep.png 782w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Prokeep-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Prokeep-768x204.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">9:35 \u2013 10:00 AM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Making AI work for distribution: A practical playbook for unleashing AI on your business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Distributors want what AI promises: faster growth and lower operating costs. But most efforts stall at chatbots and point solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>MORE<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s why so many distributors have AI \u201cadoption\u201d without any real business transformation. Ben Dwyer, Head of Forward Deployed Engineering at <a href=\"http:\/\/proton.ai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Proton.ai<\/a>, lays out a practical playbook for moving from AI experiments to AI architecture: agents with the access, context, and autonomy to do load-bearing work. He\u2019ll walk through real examples of distributors putting agents to work today, and the results they\u2019re seeing when they do it the right way. You\u2019ll leave knowing where you are on the AI maturity curve, which use case to start with, and how to scale from there.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"208\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Proton-AI.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10659\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Proton-AI.png 782w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Proton-AI-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Proton-AI-768x204.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-gray-50-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">10:05 \u2013 10:30 AM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">The End of Planner Heroics: How AI and Decision Engineering Are Reshaping Supply Chain Planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">In this 25-minute session, Jeff Metersky challenges two widespread assumptions in supply chain: that agentic AI is a direct path to autonomous planning, and that AI can automate decisions without the guidance of planners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>MORE<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The real problem: most planning solutions are built on 30-year-old static models that have required planners to turn recommendations into decisions. For agentic AI to power autonomous supply chain, it must learn what planners know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">In this session, you will learn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Why spending time on HOW we make decisions matters as much as deploying new tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How agentic AI can learn the bounds of &#8220;autonomous&#8221; decision making and when a decisionrequires a &#8220;human-in-the-loop.&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The difference between physical supply chain resiliency and organizational decision-makingcapability under stress<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The RAPID principle: evaluating which decisions are candidates for automation based onreversibility, financial impact, and risk tolerance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"642\" height=\"118\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gains-Logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10587\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gains-Logo.png 642w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Gains-Logo-300x55.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 642px) 100vw, 642px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">10:30 \u2013 11:00 AM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Networking Break<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Foyer + Expo Hall <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-gray-50-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">11:00 \u2013 11:45 AM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">The CIO&#8217;s AI Playbook: What BlueLinx Learned Building an AI-Ready Distribution Operation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">When BlueLinx shifted its digital strategy from traditional ecommerce to artificial intelligence, the challenge of making the business AI-ready fell to the IT organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>In this keynote fireside chat, Chief Information Officer Praveen Gautam will discuss the infrastructure, data, and technology decisions shaping BlueLinx&#8217;s transformation. He will share lessons learned building an AI-ready distribution business, including what worked, what didn&#8217;t, and where the company is still investing.<br><br>With more than 25 years of experience in enterprise architecture, data management, and technology strategy, Gautam has led BlueLinx&#8217;s digital transformation since 2021. His session offers a practical roadmap for distributors seeking to turn AI ambition into operational reality.<\/summary>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" fetchpriority=\"low\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Praveen-Gautam-1600px-Updated-6-30-25-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11344\" style=\"width:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Praveen-Gautam-1600px-Updated-6-30-25-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Praveen-Gautam-1600px-Updated-6-30-25-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Praveen-Gautam-1600px-Updated-6-30-25-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Praveen-Gautam-1600px-Updated-6-30-25-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Praveen-Gautam-1600px-Updated-6-30-25-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Praveen-Gautam-1600px-Updated-6-30-25-120x120.jpg 120w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Praveen-Gautam-1600px-Updated-6-30-25.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Praveen Gautam, Chief Information Officer, BlueLinx<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Praveen Gautam has served as Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer since May 2021. In this role, Praveen is responsible for working closely with BlueLinx leadership to understand their business strategy while developing and executing an IT strategy that supports the Company\u2019s digital transformation journey. Praveen has more than 25 years ofInformation Technology experience, with expertise in IT Strategy, IT Governance, Enterprise Architecture, IT Security &amp; Risk Management, Enterprise Applications, Business Intelligence &amp; Reporting, Data Management, Application Integration, Web Application Development, and IT Audit &amp; General Controls. Prior to joining BlueLinx, he held IT leadership positions at Altium Packaging, Brambles, and Tellabs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Praveen holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electrical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and a Master of Business Administration (MIS &amp; Finance) from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1043\" height=\"279\" fetchpriority=\"low\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Bluelinx.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11345\" style=\"aspect-ratio:5.442176870748299;width:250px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Bluelinx.jpeg 1043w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Bluelinx-300x80.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Bluelinx-1024x274.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Bluelinx-768x205.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1043px) 100vw, 1043px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">11:45 \u2013 12:55 PM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Networking Lunch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Conference Dining Room <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-gray-50-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">1:00 \u2013 1:25 PM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Website ROI in the AI Era: What Distributors Need to Rethink<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Your buyers have changed. Has your website? AI Overviews and chatbots now answer most buyer questions before anyone reaches your homepage, and the people who still visit arrive further along and better informed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>MORE<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For distributors, that changes a website&#8217;s job: less a lead funnel, more a trusted resource that helps an already-serious buyer confirm they&#8217;re making the right call. This session looks at what that shift means for your content, chat, and site structure, and leaves you with a practical way to check whether your website still earns its keep.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"208\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navu.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10662\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navu.png 782w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navu-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Navu-768x204.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">1:30 \u2013 1:55 PM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Search, AI Search and AI Search Agents: What&#8217;s the Differences and What Should I Be Using?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Search is evolving fast\u2014but with AI Search and AI Search Agents entering the conversation, it&#8217;s getting harder to separate hype from real business value. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>MORE<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Join John Murcott as he breaks down the key differences, where each technology fits, and how leading eCommerce brands are using AI to improve product discovery, boost conversions, and create smarter buying experiences. You&#8217;ll leave with a practical framework for choosing the right approach for your business\u2014today and into the future.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"208\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Hawksearch.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10656\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Hawksearch.png 782w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Hawksearch-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Hawksearch-768x204.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-gray-50-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">2:00 \u2013 2:25 PM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">From Orders to Insights: Using AI to improve Customer Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">In distribution, customer experience isn\u2019t just about digital touchpoints\u2014it\u2019s shaped by pricing accuracy, product availability, sales rep relationships, and how easy you are to do business with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>MORE<\/strong><\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ou already have a wealth of customer and operational data, but struggle to translate it into actions that improve service, increase share of wallet, or reduce friction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this session, I\u2019ll share how AI can be applied practically in distribution environments to improve customer experience where it matters most:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identifying at-risk customers before revenue declines&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enabling sales teams with better insights, not more dashboards, simplifying interactions across inside sales, field reps, and digital channels&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improving fill rates, recommendations, and order accuracy&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019ll go beyond theory and walk through real-world use cases, what worked, what didn\u2019t, and the trade-offs involved\u2014especially in environments with legacy systems and complex product catalogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You already have a wealth of customer and operational data, but struggle to translate it into Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to apply AI to drive measurable outcomes\u2014such as retention, revenue growth, and operational efficiency\u2014not just for experimentation.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"208\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Revalgo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10661\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Revalgo.png 782w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Revalgo-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Revalgo-768x204.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">2:30 \u2013 3:15 PM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\"><strong>Putting AI to Work: How Distributors Are Scaling From Pilot to Production<\/strong> | Distribution Leader Panel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The discussion will focus on how distributors are moving AI beyond experimentation and into day-to-day operations. Panelists will share practical lessons on identifying high-value use cases, scaling successful pilots, improving employee adoption, integrating AI into existing workflows, measuring return on investment and preparing their organizations for the next phase of AI deployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>MORE<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Topics will include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Priorities for AI investment over the next 12 months<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AI applications currently running in production<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lessons learned from early deployments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scaling AI across the organization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data, governance and change management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Measuring business impact and return on investment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:150px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AbhiSingh_HeadShot.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12028\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AbhiSingh_HeadShot.png 1080w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AbhiSingh_HeadShot-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AbhiSingh_HeadShot-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AbhiSingh_HeadShot-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AbhiSingh_HeadShot-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AbhiSingh_HeadShot-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-de8bb87c wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Abhi Singh<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3;text-transform:uppercase\">pRESIDENT &amp; ceo<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3;text-transform:uppercase\">pROCONTRACTOR SUPPLY<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:150px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1566235529712.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12255\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1566235529712.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1566235529712-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1566235529712-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1566235529712-120x120.jpeg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-de8bb87c wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Sean McCloskey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3;text-transform:uppercase\">VP of Digital Product Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3;text-transform:uppercase\">Wesco<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-gray-50-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">3:15 \u2013 3:30 PM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Afternoon Break<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Foyer + Expo Hall <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">3:30 \u2013 4:00 PM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">The AI-Powered Distributor: Beyond the Chatbot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">If you are still using Large Language Models just to write emails, you are barely scratching the surface. AI has officially transitioned from simple chatbots into conversational reasoning engines that can revolutionize how distributors work, compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>MORE<\/summary>\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">In this keynote, we are cutting through the hype to show you what modern AI actually does. We\u2019ll break down how to choose the right tool for the right job\u2014whether that\u2019s the logic of ChatGPT, the workflow mastery of Claude, the multimodal power of Gemini, or the deep research of Perplexity. More importantly, you\u2019ll learn why the future belongs to \u201cAI Workspaces\u201d\u2014centralized hubs that unlock team-level productivity that individual prompting never could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Get ready to see real distributor use cases in action. We\u2019ll build prospecting dashboards in 5 minutes, model interactive sales commissions, and show you how to integrate AI notetakers to automatically extract process documentation and training materials before institutional knowledge walks out the door.<br>We\u2019ll demystify the skill that separates mediocre outputs from game-changing ones: context-building. You\u2019ll walk away not just knowing how the tech works, but how to lead the adoption from the bottom up, empower your team, and model the behavior that makes AI stick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Key Takeaways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lead the Change:<\/strong>&nbsp;Master a practical, bottom-up framework for driving AI adoption, empowering employees, and building a culture of innovation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Navigate the Modern AI Landscape:<\/strong>&nbsp;Understand the distinct strengths of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity, and when to deploy each for specific distribution challenges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Move from Prompting to Workspaces:<\/strong>&nbsp;Learn how to transition from siloed, individual AI use to centralized, team-wide AI projects that multiply productivity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:150px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brian-Hopkins-Headshot-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9800\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brian-Hopkins-Headshot-scaled.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brian-Hopkins-Headshot-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brian-Hopkins-Headshot-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brian-Hopkins-Headshot-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Brian-Hopkins-Headshot-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-de8bb87c wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Brian Hopkins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3;text-transform:uppercase\">Chief Operations Officer  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3;text-transform:uppercase\">Distribution STrategy Group<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size\">4:00 \u2013 5:00 PM<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-md-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em\">Networking Reception<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-serif-font-family has-book-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Refreshments served <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);min-height:472px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"661\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-10345 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Atlanta-BG-1024x661.webp\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Atlanta-BG-1024x661.webp 1024w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Atlanta-BG-300x194.webp 300w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Atlanta-BG-768x496.webp 768w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Atlanta-BG-1536x992.webp 1536w, https:\/\/distributionstrategy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Atlanta-BG.webp 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-blue-800-background-color has-background-dim-70 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-custom-wrapper width-wide\"><div class=\"inner\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-headline-font-family has-xxl-font-size wp-elements-1\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:300;letter-spacing:-0.02em;line-height:1\"><strong>August 12, 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-sans-serif-font-family has-lg-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--sm);font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em;line-height:1.1;text-transform:none\">Georgia Tech Conference Center<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-sans-serif-font-family has-lg-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--sm);font-style:normal;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-0.02em;line-height:1.1;text-transform:none\">Atlanta, GA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3398d977 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--xl)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-red-600-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-monospace-font-family has-book-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/atlantaforum.distributionstrategy.com\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer noopener\">Register Here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:2rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":10307,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"fully-blank-page","meta":{"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"content-type":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","_featured_video_url":"","footnotes":""},"coauthors":[222],"class_list":["post-10340","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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