BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Distribution Strategy Group - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Distribution Strategy Group
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://distributionstrategy.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Distribution Strategy Group
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T130000
DTSTAMP:20260617T062102
CREATED:20260521T165058Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260610T190059Z
UID:10000584-1781697600-1781701200@distributionstrategy.com
SUMMARY:06/17/26 TLP: Fixing the Data Problem for AI
DESCRIPTION:Technology Leader Panel \n\n\n\nFixing the Data Problem for AI\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe most ambitious AI strategy cannot outperform the data feeding it. Here’s how distributors are fixing the foundation. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvery AI initiative in distribution eventually runs into the same wall: the data. Inconsistent product information\, unreliable customer master data\, siloed transactional systems\, and uneven governance make it difficult for distributors to move AI projects from pilot to production. The most ambitious AI strategy cannot outperform the data feeding it\, and many of the AI investments distributors are making today will underdeliver until the data foundation is addressed. \n\n\n\nIn this Technology Leader Panel\, we examine what it actually takes for distributors to fix the data foundation AI depends on. The discussion covers where data quality breaks down across product\, customer\, and transactional systems\, how to prioritize cleanup and governance without stalling AI progress\, the role of MDM\, PIM\, and modern data platforms in AI readiness\, and how leading distributors are sequencing data work alongside AI initiatives so the two reinforce each other rather than compete. \n\n\n\nKey Takeaways \n\n\n\n\nWhy data quality is the limiting factor for most AI initiatives in distribution\n\n\n\nWhere data breaks down across product\, customer\, and transactional systems\n\n\n\nHow to prioritize data cleanup and governance without stalling AI progress\n\n\n\nThe role of MDM\, PIM\, and modern data platforms in AI readiness\n\n\n\nWhat leading distributors are doing to align their data and AI roadmaps\n\n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Learn \n\n\n\n\nWhere data problems most often derail distribution AI initiatives\, and how to spot them early.\n\n\n\nPractical sequencing for data cleanup\, governance\, and AI deployment so the two reinforce each other.\n\n\n\nHow modern data platforms\, MDM\, and PIM fit into an AI-ready architecture.\n\n\n\nWhat “good enough” data really looks like for AI use cases in distribution.\n\n\n\n\nJoin Us \n\n\n\nRegister to learn how distributors are fixing the data foundation their AI strategy depends on shaping the next wave of warehouse automation in distribution and operations leaders managing global supplier relationships. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGuests\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSam Bobb \n\n\n\nCo-Founder and CTO\, Kaavio \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJay Schneider \n\n\n\nFounder\, President\, B2B-Squared \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsor\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGuests\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSam Bobb \n\n\n\nCo-Founder and CTO\, Kaavio \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSam works toward one mission: “Product data should work as hard as the people who depend on it.” Prior to Kaavio\, Sam spent years as a data and engineering leader inside companies that sell technical products to professional buyers\, driving 3x conversions and 50%+ revenue growth at Octopart (YC W07)\, building PIM and search for 10M+ products at Volition\, and serving as Head of Engineering. \n\n\n\nWhen he isn’t thinking about building revolutionary workflows\, you can find Sam skiing\, cooking\, and spending time with his dog Gus. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJay Schneider \n\n\n\nFounder\, President\, B2B-Squared \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJay Schneider is the creator of the Platform Genius RFP and reports\, and a recognized authority in B2B eCommerce with 15+ years in the space as both a practitioner and advisor. He helped Nutricia NA (Danone) build a successful B2B platform and has worked with leading B2B agencies (B2X Partners\, Brilliance Business Solutions) and software platforms. In 2019\, he founded B2B Squared\, where he has built the Platform Genius selection tool\, the Flywheel B2B marketing automation platform\, and multiple frameworks that help distributors and manufacturers accelerate their digital transformation. A noted speaker and author\, Jay is also Publisher and Editor of The Digital Roadmap newsletter and a certified B2B eCommerce Association coach. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHost\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Heller \n\n\n\nChief Strategy Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\nIan Heller joined Grainger as a part-time truck unloader in college and left fifteen years later as the VP Marketing. Since then\, he’s held senior executive positions at four other publicly-held firms\, consulted with dozens of distributors\, and continues to write and speak extensively on how AI\, strategy\, channel evolution\, and other major trends affect the industry. Ian holds a B.A. in History from Roosevelt University and an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now
URL:https://distributionstrategy.com/event/06-17-26-tlp-fixing-the-data-problem-for-ai/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming Program
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://distributionstrategy.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/06-17-TLP-Featured-Image.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR