AI News and Gurus
AI News and Gurus: The Show for Intelligent Distributors
Thursday, July 9 , 9:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM EDT – 10:00 AM PDT / 1:00 PM EDT
The technology exists to personalize every buyer interaction. Here’s what it actually takes to make it work in distribution.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how distributors attract, serve, and retain customers — and the pressure to act is no longer theoretical. From AI-assisted quoting and product discovery to personalized digital storefronts, the technology is available. The harder question is how to deploy it in ways that actually move revenue.
In this episode, industry guest Scott Wagner of Border States joins to share a practitioner’s perspective on where AI is creating real value on the sales and customer experience side of distribution. Joining him is a technology guest from OroCommerce to discuss how AI capabilities are being built into B2B commerce platforms — and what distributors should be looking for when they evaluate their digital infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- Where AI is delivering measurable results in distribution sales and customer engagement
- How B2B commerce platforms are integrating AI to improve the buying experience
- What separates distributors who are seeing ROI from those still in pilot mode
- How to evaluate AI features in commerce platforms without getting lost in vendor claims
- What the next 12 months look like for AI in distribution digital commerce
What You’ll Learn
- How distributors are using AI to improve product discovery, recommendations, and self-service
- What AI-powered commerce looks like in practice for mid-market and enterprise distributors
- How to align technology investment with customer experience goals
- Which AI capabilities are table stakes now versus what is still emerging
Who Should Attend
IT and operations leaders responsible for evaluating and implementing commerce platforms
Distribution executives evaluating digital commerce investments and AI strategy
Sales and marketing leaders looking to improve customer engagement through technology
Guests
Scott Wagner
Director of Industry Transformation at the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED)
Coming Soon
OroCommerce
Sponsors
Guests
Scott Wagner
Director of Industry Transformation at the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED)
Scott Wagner is the Director of Industry Transformation at the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED), where he leads NAED’s Digital Center of Excellence (DCoE) with initiatives focused on driving innovation, digital transformation, and supply chain optimization across the industry. With over 35 years of experience in the electrical industry, Scott’s career began as an electrician before moving into leadership roles at Schneider Electric and three major distributors — Mayer, Rexel, and Border States. His expertise spans operations, warehousing, sales, marketing, analytics, and people development, giving him a unique, hands-on perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing today’s distributors. Scott is passionate about helping companies harness data, technology, and practical strategies to improve efficiency, strengthen partnerships, and deliver greater value across the supply chain.
Hosts
Brian Hopkins
Chief Operations Officer, Distribution Strategy Group
Brian Hopkins is recognized for his expertise in customer service and operational efficiency within the industrial distribution sector. His career trajectory showcases a series of impactful leadership roles, marked by innovation and strategic growth.
Brooks Hamilton
Founder and CEO, AI Strategy Advisors
Brooks Hamilton is the founder and CEO of AI Strategy Advisors, which helps large enterprises build and implement AI strategies. With a deep understanding of both AI technology and business operations, his company is positioned to help organizations navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Previously, Brooks held executive positions at Zilliant, where he worked with dozens of leading distributors to design and deploy AI sales, pricing, and revenue management applications.