2026 Global Calendar for Supply Chain & Logistics Leaders — Logistics AI, Strategy and Collaboration
AI driven logistics is evolving quickly, and missing a single conference can translate into lost ground on cost, resilience or emissions performance. For Swiss and European executives managing large networks, the key question is not the location of events but which dates, themes and AI roadmaps justify time and budget. In 2026, agendas from Stuttgart to Orlando indicate which logistics AI technologies, vendors and operating models will influence board decisions. At Logistics Concepts, our focus is to help leaders turn a crowded global calendar into a clear, practical shortlist.
The 2026 global events calendar and AI signals for supply chain leaders
The 2026 calendar spans retail and procurement forums in the United States and major intralogistics and multimodal transport events across Europe and Asia. AI, automation and data driven decision making are moving from side topics to central themes, with patterns across events providing more insight than individual agendas.
U.S. conferences such as NRF 2026 in New York (11–13 January) and RILA LINK in Orlando (1–4 February) shape discussions on retail logistics, omnichannel execution and fulfilment. ARC Industry Leadership Forum and Manifest add industrial AI, cybersecurity and technology investment, while TPM26 in Long Beach (1–4 March) anchors ocean freight reliability and contracting.
From April, MODEX 2026 in Atlanta highlights warehouse automation, robotics and orchestration software. ISM World in Denver concentrates on procurement, supplier governance, emissions and risk. WERC in Jacksonville and Home Delivery World USA in Nashville deepen the focus on distribution center execution, last mile, returns and cost to serve. Later in the year, ASCM CHAINge North America and CSCMP EDGE in Long Beach and Nashville expand into planning maturity, S&OP, analytics and leadership development.
European and international events complement this perspective. LogiMAT 2026 in Stuttgart (24–26 March) and SiTL 2026 in Paris (31 March–2 April) address intralogistics, multimodal transport, sustainability and regulatory evolution. DELIVER Europe in Amsterdam (3–4 June) brings together decision makers and solution providers in structured 1:1 meetings, while CeMAT Asia editions highlight regional automation and industrial logistics trends. Oracle OTM/WMS regional events in EMEA link shippers and 3PLs with transportation and warehouse technology priorities.
Vendor and platform user conferences reveal shifts in software roadmaps and AI investment. SAP Sapphire & ASUG in Orlando (11–13 May), Blue Yonder ICON in San Diego (17–20 May), Coupa Inspire in Las Vegas (11–14 May) and Manhattan Momentum in Las Vegas (18–21 May) combine product direction with case studies across planning, WMS, TMS, spend management and omnichannel execution. Oracle AI World and NetSuite SuiteWorld in Las Vegas (26–29 October) concentrate on enterprise AI adoption and data platforms.
Several 2026 events explicitly position AI as a central transformation lever. The Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo in Orlando (4–6 May) will address emerging technologies with an emphasis on resilience. The Gartner Supply Chain Leaders Forum in Windsor (19–21 July) will explore AI native operations and the interaction between human decision making and machine intelligence. FLOW 2026 in Dubai Expo City (4–5 November) will focus on automation, data intelligence and logistics technologies shaping global trade.
Taken together, these events point to strong industry momentum around AI adoption to improve efficiency, resilience and sustainability across end to end operations. The themes indicate convergence between cost control, dependability, governance, labor strategy and compliance, supported by AI driven planning and visibility. Because senior leaders often announce priorities on main stages, these events frequently preview structural shifts before they appear in budgets or transformation programs.
From a search perspective, online coverage of the 2026 calendar remains fragmented. The overview provided by Logistics Viewpoints links event dates with strategic themes and offers resources on AI in the supply chain and cybersecurity. However, most SERP results treat events individually and do not explain how Swiss or European logistics leaders should prioritise attendance, compare AI offerings or connect agendas with operational outcomes.
- Strong visibility for U.S. associations and vendor conferences, weaker coverage of EMEA and APAC forums
- Many descriptive agendas, limited comparative analysis across technologies
- AI references are common but often lack clear links to cost, resilience or sustainability metrics
- Few resources tailored to specific roles such as CFO, logistics head or procurement director
- Limited guidance on turning conference insights into pilots, contracts and operational gains
Prioritisation framework for Swiss and European leaders
With a dense 2026 calendar, not every event merits equal attention. To protect budget and management bandwidth, it is helpful to treat the calendar as a portfolio and rank events against objectives in cost, resilience, sustainability and speed to value.
The 2026 calendar compiled by Logistics Viewpoints highlights where senior decision makers will converge. Events such as LogiMAT, SiTL, DELIVER Europe, ARC Industry Leadership Forum, Manifest and vendor conferences including SAP Sapphire, Blue Yonder ICON, Manhattan Momentum, Coupa Inspire and Oracle AI World provide early insight into AI and technology investment priorities.
Step 1: Map events to strategic priorities and European operations
A first screening can assess whether each event supports your European network, AI roadmap and regulatory agenda. LogiMAT and SiTL are useful for intralogistics, multimodal transport and EU policy. DELIVER Europe offers targeted access for retail and e commerce fulfilment.
- LogiMAT: intralogistics, automation, WMS, robotics, safety and integration
- SiTL: freight, warehousing, multimodal corridors, sustainability and regulation
- DELIVER Europe: structured meetings for retail and e commerce logistics
- ARC Industry Leadership Forum: AI, cybersecurity, industrial operations and risk
- Manifest and MODEX: logistics technology, automation and robotics
- SAP Sapphire, Blue Yonder ICON, Manhattan Momentum: core supply chain suites
- Coupa Inspire and ISM World: procurement, supplier risk and ESG
- Oracle AI World and Oracle OTM/WMS: AI platforms and transport/warehouse stacks
European based events can involve larger teams, while U.S. conferences can support more targeted scouting. The Logistics Viewpoints calendar shows that AI, governance and sustainability now feature across most major gatherings, enabling leaders to select events that align with their operational footprint.
Step 2: Define AI use cases that deliver measurable value
Before engaging with vendors, it is helpful to define the use cases that matter most. Swiss and European leaders increasingly target AI applications that influence cost, resilience, sustainability and speed to value. Examples from Unilever, Nestlé and DHL illustrate how these use cases translate into impact.
Unilever uses AI to pre qualify suppliers and assess risks during disruptions, identifying alternatives while verifying ESG compliance. Nestlé applies AI based forecasting that incorporates real time weather and market data to improve inventory accuracy and reduce waste. DHL uses AI supported routing to lower transport costs and reduce delivery times.
- Demand forecasting and inventory optimisation
- Supplier risk scoring, ESG checks and automated qualification
- Route optimisation and dynamic transport planning
- Warehouse task orchestration and labor productivity
- Predictive visibility and disruption management
- Network design supported by scenario modelling
Using this use case list as a filter allows more focused engagement at events such as LogiMAT, SiTL, ARC or vendor user conferences.
Step 3: Evaluate AI vendors on cost, resilience, sustainability and speed to value
Once priorities are clear, vendors encountered at events can be evaluated using structured criteria. The Logistics Viewpoints ecosystem includes providers such as Blue Yonder, Manhattan Associates, Descartes, Kinaxis, Oracle Cloud Logistics, FourKites, Körber and Coupa, reflecting the diverse landscape.
| Dimension | Key questions at events |
|---|---|
| Cost efficiency | What savings have similar European shippers achieved and in what timeframe? |
| Resilience | How does the solution support disruption response, routing alternatives and supplier switching? |
| Sustainability | Can the platform track emissions, waste and ESG metrics at shipment and supplier level? |
| Speed to value | What is the typical implementation duration and when do first benefits appear? |
We recommend requesting references that match your operational profile. Examples from Unilever and Nestlé demonstrate that outcomes depend heavily on data readiness and process integration, so questions on onboarding and change management matter.
Step 4: Use independent research and user communities to validate choices
Independent research helps balance vendor claims. Logistics Viewpoints provides market research, AI in the supply chain white papers, cybersecurity content and technology selection guides that can support internal evaluations.
User communities around platforms such as Blue Yonder ICON, Manhattan Momentum, Coupa Inspire and Oracle OTM/WMS offer practical insights into integration, total cost of ownership and organisational impact.
- Review independent market studies before creating vendor shortlists
- Cross check vendor claims with external benchmarks
- Engage with practitioners at events
- Align insights with internal risk, IT and ESG stakeholders
Combining the 2026 calendar, proven AI use cases and independent research supports a disciplined prioritisation approach that links event participation with improvements in cost, resilience, sustainability and speed to value.
Conversion playbook: from registrations to pilots and contracts
The 2026 Global Calendar for Supply Chain and Logistics Leaders shows where strategy, technology and collaboration will align. Turning this exposure into measurable ROI requires a structured playbook linking each registration, meeting and follow up to defined operational outcomes.
1. Pre event targeting: from calendar to meeting list
Start by mapping events to current pain points. NRF, RILA LINK and Home Delivery World are relevant for omnichannel and last mile, while LogiMAT, MODEX and WERC address intralogistics, robotics and warehouse execution. Oracle AI World, SAP Sapphire, Blue Yonder ICON and Manhattan Momentum focus on platform roadmaps.
Once priority events are selected, create a target list of vendors and peers. Research from Logistics Viewpoints, including AI in the supply chain white papers and webinar series, helps identify which sponsors and speakers influence agendas at ARC, TPM26 or CSCMP EDGE.
- Define a small set of business outcomes per event
- Identify vendors and partners aligned with those outcomes
- Request meetings in advance via event apps and LinkedIn
- Use 1:1 formats such as DELIVER Europe for focused discussions
- Plan time for analyst briefings or research providers
2. Meeting scripts and qualification templates
To avoid generic pitches, a structured meeting format helps surface relevant information. Discussions at events such as Manifest, LogiMAT or SiTL can follow a simple script covering your context, the vendor’s capabilities and a potential pilot.
| Meeting block | Objective | Typical questions |
|---|---|---|
| Context (0–10 min) | Clarify network scope and constraints | What lanes, warehouses or fleets are in scope? What systems are in place? |
| Solution (10–20 min) | Assess capabilities and fit | Which models or optimisation engines are live? How does integration work? |
| Pilot (20–30 min) | Shape a practical test | What data is required? What timeline and success metrics apply? |
3. From conversations to structured pilots
A clear approach to pilots supports measurable results. Define target outcomes before selecting vendors. Each proposal can then be assessed based on cost, resilience, sustainability or speed to value.
Request a joint implementation plan covering integration and data strategy with milestones. Sandbox access using your data reduces risk and helps validate performance, particularly with platforms showcased at Oracle AI World, NetSuite SuiteWorld or Coupa Inspire.
- Keep pilots to 8–12 weeks with narrow scope
- Prioritise SaaS visibility or routing modules before more capital intensive options
- Define responsibilities across all parties
- Clarify data assumptions early
- Agree on how pilot results support wider decisions
4. Quantifying ROI through practical scenarios
Frame pilots with conservative and optimistic ROI scenarios that include implementation and cloud costs. For example, a last mile fleet can reduce fuel and labor costs if distance is lowered through route optimisation. Similar logic applies to warehouse concepts at MODEX or LogiMAT and planning tools at Blue Yonder ICON or Kinaxis sessions.
- Define baseline KPIs such as cost per order or forecast accuracy
- Estimate improvement ranges
- Include one off integration and change management costs
- Account for recurring SaaS and support fees
- Align ROI methods with finance, IT and operations
5. Contracting, risk controls and exit planning
When pilots advance toward contracts, include an exit plan covering data export, feature portability and model transfer. This is relevant for cloud and AI platforms presented at Oracle Cloud Logistics, SAP Sapphire or Manhattan Momentum.
Align procurement and legal teams before events to speed up negotiations once a pilot shows value. Cybersecurity and governance content available via Logistics Viewpoints can support internal alignment.
- Specify data formats and export timelines
- Clarify ownership of trained models and configuration
- Set service levels linked to operational KPIs
- Include rights to scale modules up or down
- Align terms with broader digital policies
6. Post event follow up and internal alignment
Follow up should be structured rather than reactive. Within one week of events such as NRF, CSCMP EDGE, ASCM CHAINge or ISM World, consolidate notes into a single opportunity pipeline with clear timelines and investment levels.
Review opportunities in a cross functional steering group including operations, procurement, IT and finance. Insights from Logistics Viewpoints, including AI and sustainability content, can help challenge vendor narratives and refine your roadmap. Over time, this turns the 2026 calendar into a repeatable process for innovation and measurable operational gains.