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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260714T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260714T130000
DTSTAMP:20260712T114847
CREATED:20260610T183721Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260709T172220Z
UID:10000587-1784030400-1784034000@distributionstrategy.com
SUMMARY:07/14/26 SPECIAL: Top 25 AI Distributors: Announcement and Analysis
DESCRIPTION:Special Event \n\n\n\nTop 25 AI Distributors: Announcement and Analysis\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTwenty-five distributors figured out how to make AI work. Here’s what they have in common. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvery year\, a handful of distributors pull ahead\, not because they had bigger budgets or more resources\, but because they made smarter decisions about where and how to apply technology. This year’s Top 25 AI Distributors list identifies the companies setting the standard for AI adoption in wholesale distribution. \n\n\n\nIn this Best Practice Series session\, DSG will reveal the 2026 Top 25 AI Distributors and walk through the analysis behind the rankings. The discussion will cover what these companies are doing differently\, which AI applications are showing up most consistently among leaders\, and what the rest of the industry can take from their example. \n\n\n\nKey Takeaways \n\n\n\n\nThe 2026 Top 25 AI Distributors revealed\, with context on what earned each company its place\n\n\n\nThe AI use cases most common among leading distributors right now\n\n\n\nHow the gap between AI leaders and the broader market is widening\n\n\n\nPractical patterns from top performers that any distributor can apply\n\n\n\nWhat the data suggests about where AI adoption in distribution is headed next\n\n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Learn \n\n\n\n\nWhich distributors are leading on AI adoption and why they were selected\n\n\n\nThe specific applications and strategies driving results among top performers\n\n\n\nHow to benchmark your own AI progress against industry leaders\n\n\n\nWhere to focus your AI investment to close the gap with the top tier\n\n\n\n\nWho Should Attend \n\n\n\nTechnology leaders looking for validated examples of AI done well in distribution \n\n\n\nDistribution executives tracking AI adoption across the industry \n\n\n\nStrategy and operations leaders benchmarking their technology programs \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHosts\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Heller \n\n\n\nCo-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJonathan Bein\, Ph.D. \n\n\n\nManaging Partner\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrian Hopkins \n\n\n\nChief Operations Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsored by\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHosted by\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Heller \n\n\n\nCo-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\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\n\n\n\n\n\nJonathan Bein\, Ph.D. \n\n\n\nManaging Partner\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJonathan Bein Ph.D. has worked with over 100 distributors to apply advanced analytics and AI to improve customer experience\, define value proposition\, estimate sales potential\, and create digital strategy. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrian Hopkins \n\n\n\nChief Operations Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrian 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. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now
URL:https://distributionstrategy.com/event/top-25-ai-distributors-announcement-and-analysis/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming Program
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T130000
DTSTAMP:20260712T114847
CREATED:20260610T203712Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260702T220709Z
UID:10000588-1784116800-1784120400@distributionstrategy.com
SUMMARY:07/15/26 TLP: Using Technology to Drive Profits and Productivity
DESCRIPTION:Technology Leader Panel \n\n\n\nUsing Technology to Drive Profits and Productivity\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMost distributors have the technology. Fewer have the results. This panel closes that gap. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTechnology investments in distribution have never been larger — and the pressure to show returns has never been higher. Yet many distributors are still struggling to connect the tools they’ve deployed to the outcomes that matter: margin improvement\, operational efficiency\, and sustainable growth. \n\n\n\nThis Technology Leader Panel brings together practitioners from across the industry to examine what is actually working. The discussion will focus on which technology decisions are translating into measurable profit and productivity gains\, how leaders are building the internal discipline to get results from their investments\, and what separates distributors who are winning with technology from those still waiting for the payoff. \n\n\n\nKey Takeaways \n\n\n\n\nThe technology investments showing the clearest connection to profit improvement in distribution\n\n\n\nHow leading distributors are measuring productivity gains from their technology programs\n\n\n\nWhat it takes internally to turn a good technology deployment into a lasting performance advantage\n\n\n\nWhere distributors are over-investing relative to return\, and where the biggest gaps remain\n\n\n\nHow to build a technology roadmap that prioritizes profit and productivity over feature count\n\n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Learn \n\n\n\n\nWhich applications and platforms are delivering the strongest ROI for distribution operations\n\n\n\nHow to evaluate technology performance beyond implementation metrics\n\n\n\nWhat the most effective technology leaders are doing differently to drive adoption and results\n\n\n\nHow to align your technology agenda with the financial outcomes your organization needs\n\n\n\n\nJoin Us \n\n\n\nRegister now to hear from technology leaders who are connecting their investments to real business results.. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGuests\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMike Biwer \n\n\n\nCEO\, Cavallo \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJohn Doffing \n\n\n\nSenior Director Field Sales\, Epicor \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\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGuests\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMichael Biwer \n\n\n\nCEO\, Cavallo \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMichael Biwer is the CEO of Cavallo. Under Michael’s leadership\, Cavallo has accelerated product development and driven double-digit recurring revenue growth. He previously served as CEO of Mapp Digital and held executive roles at Trilogy and Acxiom. Michael holds both a BBA and MBA from the University of Michigan and is known for his curiosity and innovation-driven approach. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJohn Doffing \n\n\n\nSenior Director Field Sales\, Epicor \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWith more than 30 years of experience in the Epicor ecosystem\, John brings deep industry knowledge and practical expertise to the distribution market. He has worked directly for three distributors\, each using Epicor Prophet 21\, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities distributors face every day. \n\n\n\nToday\, John leads the Epicor Distribution sales team\, where he partners with distributors across N. America to help them evaluate\, adopt\, and maximize Epicor solutions. Over the course of his career\, he has worked with hundreds of distributors across a wide range of verticals\, providing guidance grounded in real-world experience and a strong understanding of distribution operations. \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\nCo-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\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/using-technology-to-drive-profits-and-productivity-2/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming Program
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260729T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260729T130000
DTSTAMP:20260712T114847
CREATED:20260611T210112Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260709T210500Z
UID:10000592-1785326400-1785330000@distributionstrategy.com
SUMMARY:07/29/26 BPS: State of Customer Experience in Distribution
DESCRIPTION:Best Practice Study \n\n\n\nState of Customer Experience in Distribution\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDistributors are investing in customer experience but their customers aren’t always noticing. Here’s what the data shows. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCustomer expectations in wholesale distribution are rising faster than most companies are moving to meet them. Digital-first buying behaviors\, demand for self-service\, and the influence of B2C experiences are reshaping what distributors need to deliver and the gap between what customers expect and what they actually get is becoming a measurable competitive liability. \n\n\n\nIn this session\, DSG will present findings from its latest State of Customer Experience in Distribution research. The data reveals where distributors are investing\, where customers say the experience is falling short\, and which improvements are generating the strongest loyalty and revenue impact. The discussion will translate the research into practical priorities for distribution leaders looking to close the gap. \n\n\n\nKey Takeaways \n\n\n\n\nWhat the latest data reveals about customer experience expectations in wholesale distribution\n\n\n\nWhere distributors are losing customers due to experience gaps they may not be tracking\n\n\n\nWhich CX investments are producing the clearest return in retention and wallet share\n\n\n\nHow digital and human touchpoints are working together in the highest-performing distribution relationships\n\n\n\nWhat separates distributors customers describe as easy to do business with from those they are quietly replacing\n\n\n\n\nWhat You’ll Learn \n\n\n\n\nHow customer experience expectations have shifted and what distributors need to do differently in response\n\n\n\nWhich channels\, processes\, and interactions matter most to distribution customers right now\n\n\n\nHow to identify and prioritize the CX gaps with the highest business impact\n\n\n\nWhat the research says about the connection between customer experience and financial performance in distribution\n\n\n\n\nWho Should Attend \n\n\n\nExecutives benchmarking their CX performance against industry peers \n\n\n\nSales and commercial leaders responsible for customer retention and growth \n\n\n\nOperations and service leaders accountable for the day-to-day customer experience \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJonathan Bein\, Ph.D. \n\n\n\nManaging Partner\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMacey Dodd \n\n\n\nAnalytics Solutions Manager\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsors\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHosts\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJonathan Bein\, Ph.D. \n\n\n\nManaging Partner\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJonathan Bein Ph.D. has worked with over 100 distributors to apply advanced analytics and AI to improve customer experience\, define value proposition\, estimate sales potential\, and create digital strategy. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMacey Dodd \n\n\n\nAnalytics Solutions Manager\, Distribution Strategy Group \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMacey has separate degrees in economics and statistics. She has researched business incentives for the Economic Development Department of Loveland\, CO. She has conducted spatial data analysis on tornadoes and weather patterns for the University of Illinois. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now
URL:https://distributionstrategy.com/event/07-29-26-bps-state-of-customer-experience-in-distribution/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming Program
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