2026 Jarrett Supply Chain Summit Agenda
Wednesday, Aug. 5
Port of Cleveland Tour Pick Up
12:30 p.m. - Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center
Meet in the lobby of the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center. Please bring a valid photo ID and port tour registration confirmation email.
Port of Cleveland Tour
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
VIP Reception Kickoff
6:00 p.m. - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Cocktail reception with live entertainment, h'ors d'oeuvres, dinner and networking will be held on the lawn of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Self-Guided Tour
7:00 p.m. - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Explore everything the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has to offer, from the impact of rock and roll on social culture to the legends of rock. The Hall will be open for self-guided tours until 10:00 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 6
Registration & Continental Breakfast
7:30 a.m Huntington Convention Center - 4th Floor
Welcome & Intro
8:30 a.m. - The Loft (4th Floor)
Jarrett CEO Mike Jarrett will welcome attendees and provide a brief overview of the schedule of events.
Opening Keynote - Kevin O'Leary
8:40 a.m. - The Loft (4th Floor)
Kevin O'Leary is a top business speaker, serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and investor, and star of ABC's "Shark Tank". His success story began "with a big idea and zero cash." In 1986, he founded SoftKey Software Products, later to be called The Learning Company, in his Toronto basement. Under O’Leary’s leadership, the company became a giant in its sector before it was acquired for $4.2 billion.
In 2000, O’Leary founded O’Leary Ventures, a generalist venture capital investment platform that has since invested in start-ups and early-stage companies across virtually every sector. In 2003, he co-founded Storage Now, a leading developer of climate-controlled storage facilities, which was later acquired for $110 million. His next investment, Stream Global Services, was also acquired for $820 million.
State of Transportation Update - Chris Johnson
10:15 a.m. - The Loft (4th Floor)
This session will dissect the latest trends reshaping the transportation sector. Chris will discuss the economic factors impacting the industry. Gain insights to navigate the dynamic landscape related to transportation and supply chain management.
Networking
11:05 a.m.
Breakout Session I
11:20 a.m.
Navigating Risks: Strategies for Today’s Supply Chain Landscape w/ Chris Burroughs and Marc Blubaugh - The Loft (4th Floor)
Join industry leaders, Chris Burroughs, President and CEO of TIA and Marc Blubaugh, Partner at Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff, for a dynamic discussion on navigating risk in today’s transportation and supply chain landscape. Gain a clearer understanding of emerging challenges that are shaping the landscape of transportation management.
Defending the Digital Supply Chain: Strategies for Cyber Resilience w/Michael Gerfin - Room 307A
Every organization is exposed to cyber threats originating from a variety of malicious actors. Understanding the threat, assessing risk, and remaining vigilant are key components to operating in today's interconnected world. FBI Supervisory Special Agent, Michael Gerfin will discuss the current cyber threat landscape, why the environment is so challenging, and strategies that can be employed - both professionally and personally - to reduce organizational complexity and build resilience into your cybersecurity posture.
The New World of Trade: Insights on Changing a Global Economy w/ Rennie Alston - Room 307B
Join Rennie Alston, CEO of The Alston Group and American River Group of Companies, for a high-level discussion on the evolving landscapes of international business. This session will explore the shifting dynamics, emerging challenges, and key trends that have shaped global trade over the past year. Gain valuable perspectives on what lies ahead and how organizations can navigate ongoing uncertainty in the international marketplace.
Adapting to Change: LTL Classification Updates and Shipper Strategy w/ Brian Gratsch, Joe Ohr, Keith Peterson and Glenn Zalusky - Room 302
Stay up to date with the latest on the LTL freight classification updates with a comprehensive review of the recent NMFC changes and what they mean for your organization. This session will break down what’s changed, how it’s impacting shippers today, and what to expect as future updates are on the horizon. Attendees will gain practical insight on how companies have prepared, adapted and positioned their operations for continued success in an evolving LTL freight landscape.
Lunch/Networking
12:00 p.m.
Breakout Session II
1:15 p.m.
AI in Transportation: From Hype to Operational Impact w/ JP Wiggins - The Loft (4th Floor)
Artificial Intelligence is quickly changing how transportation and logistics operate, but the biggest impact isn’t from a single tool—it’s from improving how systems and processes work together. This session covers what has changed since 2025, why connectivity and clean operational data are critical to making AI effective, and where companies are already seeing real results. Attendees will also learn practical ways to use AI in their own organizations—by applying it to structured problems, not open-ended experimentation. The session will also touch on risks, governance, and what this shift means for the future of logistics.
Cargo Theft & Fraud Prevention: Trends, Threats and Protecting Your Supply Chain w/ Scott Cornell and Gary Thomas - Room 307A
This session dives into the escalating issue of cargo theft and fraud in transportation. Examining current trends, high-risk hotspots and common tactics used by criminals. Learn actionable strategies to identify vulnerabilities and protect your supply chain from these growing threats. Ideal for logistics professionals seeking to mitigate risk and safeguard their operations.
Carrier Insights: What’s Shaping the LTL Market Right Now w/ Anthony Rocco and Jason Cox - Room 307B
Join Anthony Rocco, COO of Dayton Freight, and Jason Cox, SVP of Sales for R&L Carriers, for a fireside chat on the current state of the LTL market. This chat will bring perspectives from both a leading regional carrier and a major national carrier. The session will explore key trends, market dynamics, and the challenges shaping the LTL landscape today. Attendees will also gain insight into what lies ahead and how shippers can position themselves as preferred shippers in the evolving environment.
Innovation Exchange with Front
1:55 p.m.
Innovation Exchange with Front
2:00 p.m.
Find out how leading businesses are using email to allow teams to work together on customer conversations in one place. - The Loft Suite (4th Floor)
Breakout Session III
2:25 p.m.
Culture Wins: Retaining, Engaging & Attracting Top Talent w/ Mike Jarrett - The Loft (4th Floor)
Join a candid conversation on building a strong company culture and winning the battle for top talent. This session will explore how leading organizations are attracting, engaging and retaining top talent in a competitive and ever-changing workplace landscape. Expect thoughtful perspectives and real-world insights into what it takes to create a culture that drives long-term success.
From Capacity to Collaboration: The Future of Truckload Transportation w/ Gary Cornelius and Jordan Strawn - Room 307A
This fireside chat will explore the evolving landscape of full truckload transportation and the trends that are shaping today's market. Hear experts discuss what challenges carriers are dealing with, what it takes to become a shipper of choice, and navigating ongoing capacity and service challenges. Expect practical insights and forward-thinking perspectives to help position your organization for long-term success.
Mastering Freight Claims: Strategies to Reduce Risk and Recover Costs w/ Jessica Renner, Carla Bay Rumford and Deena Walechka - Room 302
This session dives into the evolving world of claims management with insights from industry leaders who will explore real-world challenges, emerging trends, and proven best practices that help shippers reduce risk, recover costs, and strengthen carrier relationships. Expect practical takeaways, candid discussion, and strategies you can apply immediately to improve your claims outcomes.
Supply Chain Transformation in Action: The Power of Network Optimization w/ Sesh Addanki and Kate Novotny - Room 307B
Explore what true supply chain transformation looks like through the lens of a large enterprise CPG and specialty chemical organizations that reimagined their network for greater efficiency and performance. This session will highlight how strategic network design and optimization initiatives can unlock faster speed to customers, improve service levels and drive meaningful cost savings. Gain insight into the decisions, challenges and opportunities that shaped this transformation and how they can be applied within your own organization.
Networking
3:05 p.m.
Closing Keynote: Tsunami Forecast for the Parcel Market by Peak 2028 - Satish Jindel
3:30 p.m. - The Loft (4th Floor)
Dive into the rapidly evolving world of parcel shipping and the trends that are re-shaping last-mile delivery. Learn more about the tsunami coming in the second half of 2028 that will disrupt every carrier (big and small) and even retailers/carriers like Amazon and Walmart. This session is ideal for shippers looking for ways to better manage costs, improve service levels, and build stronger relationships with parcel carriers in a competitive environment never experienced before.