Why This Matters to Distributors: DSG’s expansion of its Applied AI for Distributors franchise into regional markets beginning in the U.S. in Atlanta and then the U.K. signals growing demand for practitioner-level AI content among distribution leaders who have not yet had direct access to that programming, and raises the competitive stakes for technology vendors that have not yet established a presence in those markets.
Distribution Strategy Group is expanding its Applied AI for Distributors event series with two new events: a regional one-day forum in Atlanta on Aug. 12 and an international edition of the event in Birmingham, England, on Oct. 15.
The Atlanta event will be held at the Georgia Tech Conference Center. This is designed as a shorter, more accessible version of DSG’s annual Applied AI for Distributors conference in Chicago, which the firm has produced for four years.
DSG said the regional format extends that programming to senior distribution leaders who could not attend the full Chicago Applied AI for Distributors conference as well as those who did and wanted continued engagement with applied AI content closer to home.
“The demand for in-person AI content in distribution has grown faster than one annual conference can serve,” said Ian Heller, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Distribution Strategy Group. “Atlanta gives us the opportunity to bring the same quality of practitioners, case studies and honest conversations about what is actually working to a new group of distribution leaders who deserve access to that content.”
The Atlanta program is intentionally designed as a single-day format that is structured for depth, according to DSG. The agenda will include general keynote sessions with industry leaders guiding attendees through their AI journeys, 25-minute AI Solution Sessions presented by technology vendors to the full audience, and an exhibit hall where sponsors can demonstrate AI-powered products and solutions.
DSG said the format is intentionally intimate, putting attendees in one room with the practitioners, case studies and technology leaders who are producing measurable AI outcomes in wholesale distribution. A speaker lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.
Sponsorship for the Atlanta event is available at three tiers. Presenting sponsors pay $12,500 and receive a 25-minute presentation to the full audience, an exhibitor table, two sponsor badges, the post-event attendee list with contact details and the option to submit a two-minute promotional video for pre-event distribution. A Distributor Leader Panel sponsorship is available at $10,000 and includes everything in the Presenting sponsor except for the 25-minute presentation.
This sponsorship is given time at the beginning of the Distribution Leader Panel to address the audience. Expo Hall sponsors pay $7,500 and receive a table, two sponsor badges and the pre-event video option but no attendee list or presentation slot. All tiers include a 60-second introduction by a company subject matter expert following the opening keynote. DSG said all Presenting Sponsors materials are vetted in advance and vendor sales pitches are not permitted during the AI Solutions Sessions to preserve the value for distribution attendees.
The U.K. event, AI Forum: UK|EU, is set for Oct. 15, at the National Conference Centre in, Birmingham, UK. The event can serve over 100 attendees from senior leadership at independent distributors and merchant groups across the U.K., Ireland, and mainland Europe. Attendance is priced at £995 ($1,386) for the first registration from an organization, £795 for each additional registration.
DSG identified the UK and EU distribution markets as key areas to expand AI education. These markets are currently underserved and feature no live AI events designed specifically for distribution. By bringing the content crafted from four years of hosting the Applied AI For Distributors Conference, DSG is creating a way for these companies to jump start their AI initiatives, avoid the mistakes made by U.S. distributors, and build proven AI roadmaps designed specifically for their companies.
“The U.K. is at that same inflection point right now,” Heller said.
The U.K. program follows the same practitioner standard DSG applies to its U.S. events: speakers must present real implementations from the previous 12 to 24 months with measurable business outcomes, and all materials are reviewed in advance. A full speaker lineup and agenda are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
U.K. sponsorship is available at two tiers. Presenting sponsors pay $10,000 and receive a 25-minute presentation slot, an exhibitor table, the full post-event attendee list, and promotional support before the event. Expo Hall sponsors pay $5,000 and receive a table and introductory speaking time but no attendee list or presentation slot. Presenting and expo slots are each capped at six.
Sponsorship inquiries for both events can be directed to:
Dave Cappelli – dcappelli@distributionstrategy.com
Mark VanRyn – mvanryn@distributionstrategy.com
Share this article:
