Schedule & Agenda
Agenda
- Sunday Feb 16, 2025
- Monday Feb 17, 2025
- Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
- Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
- 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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LINK at the LINKS Golf Tournament/Outing
This event requires pre-registration through the full conference registration process. Hit the LINKS with your colleagues on Sunday, February 16, for a free round of max score of par style golf at The Celebration Golf Club. Experience is not required, but enjoying the beautiful outdoors is. Transportation from the Gaylord is provided, starting at 7:00 a.m. with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start.
Sponsored by NRS - 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
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Registration & Information Desk
Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.
Government Issues IDs Required.
- 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
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Transportation & Logistics Committee Meeting - Invite Only
Join us for the RILA TRIC meeting, where transportation/logistics leaders will discuss current market outlooks, innovative strategies, and industry insights to enhance supply chain resilience and sustainability. This meeting will provide a platform for collaborative problem-solving and the exchange of cutting-edge ideas in transportation. - 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
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Supply Chain Leaders Council Meeting (Part 1) - Invite Only
Members of the SCLC convene with fellow pyramid heads of supply chain from leading retailers, brands, and grocers to discuss top issues, benchmark on leading practices, and explore insights from industry experts. This exclusive gathering provides a unique platform to collaborate and advance retail logistics and operations. - 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
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Supply Chain Steering Committee Meeting - Invite Only
This is a private meeting for RILA members on the Retail Supply Chain Conference Steering Committee. The committee is comprised of top retail supply chain executives, and is charged with the task of overseeing the structure and programming of the LINK Retail Supply Chain Conference. - 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
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Welcome Reception
Join us to kick off the LINK2025 conference at the welcome reception, where you can reconnect with industry friends, network with your peers and enjoy drinks and light fare.
- 7:15 AM – 6:00 PM
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Registration & Information Desk
Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.
Government Issues IDs Required.
- 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
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Breakfast
Please join us for breakfast and networking before the day begins. - 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM
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Welcome to RILA LINK 2025: The Retail Supply Chain Conference
Kick off LINK with a look at the most pressing demands facing retail supply chain leaders. The omnichannel retail business demands more from its supply chains with new and variable planning cycles, unique partnerships, and personalized store experiences. From end-to-end, supply chains are more customer facing and retailers must utilize the leading edge in data analytics, AI, and technology to deliver. Join us to begin the most important conversation in the retail supply chain year. - 8:15 AM – 8:45 AM
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Driving Brand Always Forward
Executing a brand turnaround to deliver sustainable, profitable growth requires extraordinary vision and commitment. Join this conversation to learn about this journey and the role of aligning the modern supply chain to deliver on-trend fashion. - 8:45 AM – 9:15 AM
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Seeking Purchasability: Beyond Out-of-Stocks
This conversation will focus on the choices a leading retailer is making to strategically link the store and supply chain, use AI/ML, and measure inventory differently to deliver for their customers and achieve purchasability. - 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM 6 Concurrent Events
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Artificial Intelligence 101: How to Build an AI Strategy Within Your Organization and Gain Quick Wins
AI has become the new buzzword in our industry, leading many of us to think about how we can apply AI to our current tasks, projects, as well as long term strategy to leverage its full capabilities. Striking the right balance between customer needs and expectations while maintaining low overall operating costs are the ideal conditions for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). In this session, learn how leading retailers have implemented AI in various functions of their business, and made a direct impact to their business goals. Attendees will take away key actions to bring to their organizations on how to develop a strategy around AI/ML, learn what went well and what did not during implementation, and how to build a short- and long-term roadmap. -
Attracting and Retaining the Next Generation of Talent
Delve into the dynamics of attracting, retaining, and promoting the next generation of the supply chain workforce. We will explore key topics, including the characteristics and values of this emerging workforce, and how to tailor engagement strategies for both front-line workers and back-office staff. Additionally, we will discuss the impact of hybrid and remote work environments on talent development and leadership, as well as strategies for cultivating a successful hybrid work model. -
Fulfillment Automation of the Future
Explore the latest trends in fulfillment automation tailored for both greenfield and brownfield sites. Attendees will gain insight into the decision-making process, the systems implemented, and opportunities for digitalization, AI, and emerging technologies in automated fulfillment. -
Proven Collaboration Between Railroads, Carriers and Shippers can Take a Bite Out of Crime
In response to continued cargo theft occurrences on rails, Hub Group, the Union Pacific Railroad, and a BCO have partnered together tackling cargo theft through transparency, real time visibility, and collaboration. The session will review how utilizing technology with alert capabilities, and investigations can help to retrieve stolen cargo more often. -
Retailer-Only Roundtable
Retailer-Only Roundtables are your chance to explore a challenging issue with your colleagues across the retail industry. Roundtables will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule and moderated by a retailer to facilitate a meaningful conversation on an important topic. This session is only available to retail and consumer product manufacturer attendees. Limited to 30 eligible attendees. -
The Realities and Next Generation of Network Strategies
Join our panelists to hear firsthand experiences of the next generation of network strategies. Learn about how retailers are rethinking their approach to network decisions, the realities of data and tools, and the complexities of scenarios. - 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
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Business Break
Stop by the LINK2025 Business Break for a morning pick-me-up. - 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM 5 Concurrent Events
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Managing Policy Challenges in Retail Supply Chain
Explore the evolving regulatory landscape and its impact on retail supply chains. From tariffs and trade agreements to labor laws and transportation regulations, participants will gain insights into key policy trends that impact supply chain operations. Learn how to navigate these challenges while driving operational efficiency. -
Mastering the Last Mile: Profitable Strategies for Exceeding Customer Expectations
To maintain customer loyalty, companies must meet increasing consumer demands, such as expectations for faster delivery. Despite the challenge, understanding consumer behavior and optimizing last-mile delivery can enhance repeat business. Personalization, customer segmentation, and operational research are also key strategies to boost conversions and address service shortcomings. This session will feature retail experts sharing best practices and examples from companies excelling in inventory, cost, and service level optimization. -
Retailer-Only Roundtable: Processes, Policies and Technology for Safeguarding the Supply Chain
Retail supply chain operations continue to evolve along with shopper preferences, and asset protection leaders work closely to address changing circumstances and ensure that people are safe and products are safeguarded. Connect with fellow retailers to discuss your questions and share leading practices on topics in the supply chain space—including cargo security, DC safety, ecommerce fulfillment challenges, inventory control and much more. Roundtables will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule and moderated by a retailer to facilitate a meaningful conversation on an important topic. This session is only available to retail and consumer product manufacturer attendees and is sponsored by RILA’s Supply Chain Asset Protection Working Group. Attend to learn more and join retailer peers in this space! Limited to 30 eligible attendees. -
Strategic Reshoring to Achieve Supply Chain Excellence
Businesses considering a shift in their supplier or manufacturing networks quickly realize that any change must be carefully considered, and a solid plan developed for all contingencies. This session focuses on how businesses can successfully navigate the complexities of nearshoring by developing agile, flexible supply chains. Attendees will learn about the importance of a well-planned logistics strategy to reduce lead times, mitigate global disruption risks, and adapt to shifting consumer demands. -
Unlocking Weather Climate Data for Retail Innovation
This session will focus on leveraging advanced weather and climate data analytics to drive innovation in the retail industry and enhance supply chain management efforts. Experts will highlight key strategies for using climate data to mitigate risks, improve decision-making, and boost profitability, all while adapting to emerging climate trends that impact retail operations and planning. - 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
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Supply Chain Leaders Council Meeting (Part 2) - Invite Only
Members of the SCLC convene with fellow pyramid heads of supply chain from leading retailers, brands, and grocers to discuss top issues, benchmark on leading practices, and explore insights from industry experts. This exclusive gathering provides a unique platform to collaborate and advance retail logistics and operations. - 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
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Lunch in the Expo Experience
Join us for lunch and networking in the Expo Experience. The Expo Experience will remain open until the end of the reception tonight. - 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM
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Expo Experience Open
The Expo Experience opens now! Join us to network with and learn from the service providers helping retailers meet their supply chain challenges and improve their results! The Expo Experience runs from 11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. today. - 1:15 PM – 2:25 PM
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Hosted Meetings
- 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM
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Business Break
Enjoy a business break to grab some snacks and refreshments. - 2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
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Focusing on the Athlete to Drive Growth
Shifting customer demographics and behaviors requires new strategies to fast-track growth. This conversation will focus on how DICK’S Sporting Goods approaches building a world-class omnichannel operating model with a customer facing supply chain driving a differentiated athlete experience. - 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
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Building High-Performing Supply Chain Teams
This session will discuss how a leading retailer is developing a world-class supply chain organization. This conversation will focus on their approach to building teams that thrive in both rural and urban markets, fostering a culture of operational excellence, and creating career paths that attract and retain top talent. - 4:00 PM – 5:10 PM
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Hosted Meetings
- 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
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Supply Chain Leaders Council Meeting (Part 3) - Invite Only
Members of the SCLC convene with fellow pyramid heads of supply chain from leading retailers, brands, and grocers to discuss top issues, benchmark on leading practices, and explore insights from industry experts. This exclusive gathering provides a unique platform to collaborate and advance retail logistics and operations. - 4:45 PM – 6:00 PM
-
Expo Experience Reception
Join other conference attendees for this great networking opportunity.
- 7:15 AM – 6:00 PM
-
Registration & Information Desk
Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.
Government Issues IDs Required.
- 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
-
Breakfast
Please join us for breakfast and networking before the day begins.
Sponsored by Designed Conveyor Systems - 8:00 AM – 8:35 AM
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Sourcing through Global Transformation
Bringing quality, affordable food and other products to customers from around the world is core to the retail business. Sourcing these goods is increasingly challenging in an uncertain global operating environment. This conversation will focus on how a leading retailer navigates sourcing goods with greater supply chain surety and resilience through a combination of sourcing locally, collaborative initiatives, and an emphasis on India. - 8:35 AM – 9:15 AM
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Supply Chain as a Strategic Asset
Stores are more than an endpoint for customer purchase but are a strategic node within today’s supply chain. This session will focus on the partnership between the supply chain team and stores to deliver for a leading home improvement retailer. - 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM 5 Concurrent Events
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A Roadmap to Success: An Automation Conversation with ACE Hardware and Kimberly-Clark
Discover the essential elements to consider when creating a phased roadmap for transitioning your supply chain network from a manual to automated operation. Leading retail experts will share best practices, potential challenges, and success stories to ensure your transition is smooth and maximizes efficiency and productivity. -
Navigating Returns: Balancing Customer Expectations and Profits
Explore the current trends in returns from customer expectations around a frictionless experience to balancing sustainability and profitability. -
Revolutionizing Safety Culture with AI: A Michaels Success Story
Get ready to explore how AI is transforming safety and operations at Michaels. This session dives into how Michaels, in partnership with Voxel, is harnessing AI to transform safety and operations within their distribution centers. By leveraging existing video systems data, Michael’s is proactively identifying safety risks before they escalate, enhancing safety training, and driving tangible real improvements within their distribution centers. AI has played a pivotal role in Michaels' impressive safety achievements, including a 79.1% reduction in first-aid incidents and 53% reduction in overreaching incidents in just one year. You'll walk away from this session with practical strategies to use AI efficiently, make sense of the data, and elevate your safety culture and performance. Don’t miss this chance to see how the future of safety is unfolding! -
Sustainability Retail & Brand Meet Up
Any LINK Retail and Brand attendees interested in transportation sustainability are welcome to join a meet up hosted by RILA’s Sustainability Committee members and Strategic Partners. Those planning to attend are asked to come with a transportation-related case study OR challenge in mind that they’d be interested in discussing with peers. Note: Non-retail/brand participants must be strategic partners of either RILA’s Sustainability Committee and/or Transportation-Sustainability Working Group. Reach out to RILA VP of CSR, Erin Hiatt (erin.hiatt@rila.org), with any questions. -
Who’s the Power Behind Your Power-Only: Best in Class Practices for Partner Qualifications, Bid Events, and Cargo Security
Unpack the stigmas around operator quality and cargo/data security in a power-only environment, and discuss strategies being used by best-in-class shippers to safely and effectively tap into this capacity channel. Engage in a dialogue on how to understand hidden risks, effectively outline SOP’s and bid requirements, partner internally with loss prevention teams, as well as how to establish operational controls that enable a shipper to access capacity beyond asset-based one-way trucking. - 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
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Business Break
Stop by the LINK2025 Business Break for a morning pick-me-up. - 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM 4 Concurrent Events
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Retailer-Only Roundtable
Retailer-Only Roundtables are your chance to explore a challenging issue with your colleagues across the retail industry. Roundtables will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule and moderated by a retailer to facilitate a meaningful conversation on an important topic. This session is only available to retail and consumer product manufacturer attendees. Limited to 30 eligible attendees. -
Shipper-Carrier Collaboration for More Sustainable Transportation
Accurately measuring and effectively reducing transport emissions can’t be done in isolation—it requires deep collaboration between shippers and their logistics service providers. Hear from leading retailers and a carrier partner on their collaboration journey to manage and reduce emissions. RILA will also introduce a new resource designed to help retailers start—or accelerate—conversations with their LSP partners on how to advance both supply chain and emissions reduction goals. -
The AI Advantage: Optimizing Inventory and the End-End Customer Experience
Phantom inventory and eCommerce supply chain inefficiencies pose significant challenges to retailers, often resulting in lost revenue, compromised customer trust, and increased operational costs. In this session, we will delve into the transformative potential of AI-powered solutions in addressing end-to-end issues to turn phantom inventory discrepancies into profit, ensuring stock availability to leveraging AI-powered eCommerce platforms to improve conversion rates, reduce cart abandonment, and minimize shipping costs. This collaborative presentation will provide actionable insights into enhancing your eCommerce supply chain efficiency. -
The Import Final Mile: From Port to DC
The final leg of the global journey - from vessel to customs, ports, rail, chassis, drayage, and distribution centers – requires ongoing attention and prioritization. To ensure smooth flows during this increasingly complex “import final mile,” retailers need a strong mix of industry knowledge, strategy, and technology. This session will identify the major hurdles in the port-to-DC leg of the global journey, share workarounds to these scenarios, and discuss innovative strategies that retailers are using to mitigate potential disruptions. - 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
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Distribution/Fulfillment Committee Meeting - Invite Only
Join us for the RILA Distribution/Fulfillment Committee meeting, where fellow heads of distribution & fulfillment from leading retailers, brands, and grocers will gather to address critical issues and share innovative solutions in distribution and fulfillment strategy and operations. This meeting offers a platform for collaborative discussions, leading practices, and strategic insights to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. - 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
-
Lunch in the Expo Experience
Join us for lunch and networking in the Expo Experience. The Expo Experience will remain open until the end of the reception tonight. - 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM
-
Expo Experience Open
The Expo Experience opens for it's final day now! Join us to network with and learn from the service providers helping retailers meet their supply chain challenges and improve their results! The Expo Experience runs from 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. today. - 1:15 PM – 2:25 PM
-
Hosted Meetings
- 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM
-
Business Break
Enjoy a business break to grab some snacks and refreshments. - 2:45 PM – 3:05 PM
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Trade Policy Outlook: Preparing for Change
Get ahead of potential shifts in trade policy and regulations that could impact retail supply chains. Learn how to prepare your organization for various scenarios while maintaining operational efficiency and compliance. - 3:05 PM – 3:45 PM
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Transcending the Game
This conversation will focus on a special guest’s groundbreaking journey, building an unprecedented platform, and establishing an iconic brand. - 4:00 PM – 5:10 PM
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Hosted Meetings
- 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
-
Expo Experience Reception
Join other conference attendees for this great networking opportunity.
- 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
-
Registration & Information Desk
Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.
Government Issues IDs Required.
- 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
-
Breakfast
Please join us for the last breakfast of the conference. - 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM 2 Concurrent Events
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Future Focused: Skills Development for Tomorrow’s Supply Chain Leaders
Demand often outstrips supply for skilled and experienced supply chain practitioners. This session will focus on how companies can bridge the talent gap by developing their future leaders’ functional expertise and soft skills. These transferable skills will support organizational success and individual career progression. -
Omni-Channel Evolution – Balancing Fulfillment, Delivery, Data and Stores While Unlocking Synergy and Flexibility Throughout the Customer Journey
As the retail landscape continues to evolve, the journey toward ongoing improvement of fulfillment, delivery, analytics, and store performance faces significant complexity. There are many factors for retailers to evaluate when developing a fulfillment strategy aligned to consumer preferences such as the cost to serve, quality, speed, and experience. Hear from a panel of retail supply chain executives who are successfully executing strategies including how they balance speed and cost while enhancing the customer experience, how they leverage data insights and real-time inventory to improve fulfillment efficiency, and the evolving role of the store. - 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
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Why Is This Out-of-Stock? Learnings from Enabling an End-to-End Inventory Flow
Learn from a cross-functional panel of retail experts who are enabling an end-to-end inventory flow across merchandising, supply chain, and stores. Hear different perspectives, challenges, and triumphs in finding new ways of working together to create a more efficient and effective inventory flow of the future. - 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
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Women in Supply Chain Workshop: Developing Your Personal Leadership Commitments & Why It Matters
Join Amy Barnes, Founder and Chief Heart Officer, with ELEVEN-B Consulting for this interactive and hand-on post-conference workshop brought to you by RILA's Women in Supply Chain Network. Participants will explore the importance of personal leadership commitments, understand how these commitments can enhance team performance, and leave the workshop with their very own unique leadership documents. Come prepared to engage, connect, and participate! This complimentary workshop is limited to 50 participants. Pre-registration is required.
All times listed in Eastern Time (EDT). Schedule Subject to Change.
2025 Speakers
LINK features retailer-led breakouts and round tables, inspiring Keynotes, general sessions, and startup pitches. View our speakers!
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Hosted Retailers & CPMs Program
New for 2025, we’ve introduced a groundbreaking new Hosted Retailers & CPMs Program to unlock incredible new opportunities for retailers/consumer product manufacturers and participating solution providers.
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Bring Your Team
With over 2,000 retail supply chain leaders in one place, LINK is the perfect event to bring together your team and connect with carriers, vendors and other key partners.
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