4 key freight themes shippers will explore at Deliver 2023

Deliver 2023 is one week away! 

Our team at Uber Freight looks forward to this event all year to gather together to discuss the most pressing opportunities and challenges impacting freight transportation today. Professionals on all sides of the logistics industry will offer key insights, strategic actions, and current market and economic trends for shippers and logistics pros to keep top of mind. Hosted September 26-28 this year at Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, CA, it’s an opportunity to reset and reflect before the busy season and 2024 planning take full effect.

We have a jam-packed agenda that includes keynotes from our leadership team, fireside chats with industry experts, workshops offering best practices for shippers, and networking with supply chain leaders. These sessions will spotlight the industry’s most urgent topics, from the role of artificial intelligence in logistics to the need for operational efficiency. 

In addition to looking back and planning ahead, giving back is another important part of Deliver. Together with Feeding San Diego, we invite attendees to participate in packing meals that will provide food for local families in need. Our goal is to raise $50,000 for

Feeding America through our food packing experience, along with a silent auction and charity golf tournament.

Mark your agendas to make sure you don’t miss out!

Interested in attending? It’s not too late to join us!

The role of AI in logistics

Artificial intelligence is set to change the face of supply chain and logistics management. Shippers are leveraging AI across their supply chain operations, from scheduling shipments to predicting late arrivals. Sessions highlighting the state of AI include: 

Session: Building the next generation of AI-powered autonomous trucks

• Speakers: Lior Ron, CEO of Uber Freight and Raquel Urtasun, CEO and Founder of Waabi, an AI company building the next generation of self-driving technology 
• Location/Time: Luna Ballroom, September 27, 11:00-11:45 a.m. PT
• What to expect: A discussion will offer insight into ongoing trends and upcoming developments in AI and autonomous technology. 

Session: The experts are in: AI adoption meets transportation

• Speakers: Mike Carter, founder of Vooma; Anthony Sutardja, co-founder and CEO at Parade; Viv Luu, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Uber Freight; and Val Marchevsky, Head of Engineering at Uber Freight 
• Location/Time: Breakout track, September 27, 1:00-1:45 p.m. PT
• What to expect: The panel will provide insight into the implications of optimizing supply chain and logistics operations with AI. Drawing on their experiences from various sides of the logistics industry, panelists will also speak to the infrastructure necessary for AI-powered logistics management, and how to build an effective roadmap for AI adoption. 

We’ll also explore AI in practice. Join us for a generative AI showcase on September 27, from 2:50-3:35 p.m. PT: experts will share demos of our tools in action and show how deployment across a business can deliver immediate and continuous value. 

Sustainability in the supply chain

As the world continues to experience the drastic effects of global warming, customers are expecting sustainability commitments from all companies, especially those in the transportation sector. The time for business leaders to roll out efforts to reduce their environmental impact is now. This year, we unveiled research highlighting the possibilities of network optimization by reducing empty miles. The following session will offer a deep dive into how logistics pros can take action: 

Session: Sustainable supply chain: balancing cost and climate impact

• Speakers: Mike Vogt, Director of Logistics Procurement at BASF; Eduardo Bialostozky, Director of North American Logistics at Reckitt; and Illina Frankiv, Head Of Sustainability at Uber Freight
• Location/time: Breakout track, September 27, 2:50-3:35 p.m. PT
• What to expect: By exploring the real-world constraints of reducing environmental impact while balancing cost, experts will discuss strategies to plan, measure, and calibrate efforts to rethink how networks and transportation modes can become more sustainable. The session will highlight the latest developments in electric truck adoption and infrastructure, and provide pragmatic tools to drive business growth while cultivating a sustainable future. 

Preparing to pivot for future disruptions

Needless to say, global supply chains ground to a halt during the pandemic. Volatile years ensued, and the freight economy only recently stabilized. At this year’s conference, hear from industry leaders about lessons learned from these tumultuous years, and how logistics professionals can become rebound ready and equip themselves to prepare for future service disruptions:  

Session: What permanent changes have been made in supply chains to minimize future disruptions?

• Speakers: Stephen Stewart, Director of Consumer Services and Operations at Whirlpool Canada; Matt McKinney, Director of Logistics & Distribution at Leaf Home; Chad Strohm, Transportation Operations Manager at United States Gypsum; and  Craig Watson, Vice President of Operations at Uber Freight
• Location/time: Breakout track, September 27, 1:00-1:45 p.m. PT
• What to expect: Speakers will share the changes they made within their supply chains that helped them navigate disruption. From supplier diversification to inventory optimization, these best practices will provide attendees with practical takeaways. 

Session: Prepared to pivot? How to get your transportation ready for a freight market turn

• Speakers: Randy Cooper, Director of Transportation & Supply Chain Engineering at Del Monte Foods; Renée Michelli, Head of Logistics Procurement, North America at the Henkel Corporation; and Kate Anderson, Director of Consulting at Uber Freight; and Roger Sechler, Director of Consulting at Uber Freight
• Location/time: Breakout track, September 27, 1:00-1:45 p.m. PT
• What to expect: Experts will help attendees prepare for the anticipated market shift, offering tips for leveraging technology and building fruitful partnerships to give shippers an edge in navigating the upcoming surge in demand.

Leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency

How can shippers embrace innovation to improve efficiency without risking disruptions to service? Embracing new technology is key, which we’ll explore in the following discussions:

Session: Balancing innovation with traditional service expectations

• Speakers: Rajib Sarkar, Logistics Analytics Leader at Colgate-Palmolive; and Olivia Hu, Head of Autonomous Trucking Strategy & Business Development at Uber Freight, 
• Location/time: Breakout track, September 27, 1:00-1:45 p.m. PT
• What to expect: A discussion on meeting traditional service expectations from customers and stakeholders while embracing innovative tech solutions. Geared toward shippers of all sizes, this session will explore tech adoption practices that preserve the service commitments at the heart of the freight industry. 

Session: Emerging trends and challenges in transportation

• Speakers: Steve Arendsen, President, North America at Tosca; and Joe Tocci, Senior Vice President of Global Sourcing and Supply Chain at IPG; and Tim Hinson, Head of TM Operations at Uber Freight
• Location/time: Breakout track, September 27, 1:55-2:40 p.m. PT
• What to expect: Experts will discuss how shippers can use technology to create effective strategies for navigating market trends. The session will explore the path to a more resilient supply chain, which involves harnessing data and analytics and industry-leading perspectives on market trends. 

Keynotes and events providing new ideas, inspiration and motivation

We can learn valuable lessons from people outside of the industry, too. Deliver will continue to spotlight notable people from across industries on the main stage:

Keynote session: Nate Mook, activist, entrepreneur, and former CEO of World Central Kitchen

• Location/time: Luna Ballroom, September 27, 4:00-5:00 p.m. PT
• What to expect: Nate Mook will discuss how to lead with purpose, adapt to disruption, and drive business growth while prioritizing a greater mission. 

Keynote session: Jill Ellis, President of the National Women’s Soccer League San Diego

• Location/time: Luna Ballroom, September 28, 8:00-9:00 a.m. PT
• What to expect: In conversation with Leigh Robinson, Head of People at Uber Freight, Jill Ellis (the winningest coach in USWNT history) will share her experiences leading a team and offer advice on how to translate courageousness, confidence, and taking risks to work and life.
  

Keynote session: Piercing through the noise: Alan Beaulieu, President of ITR Economics

• Location/time: Luna Ballroom, September 28, 10:15-11:15 a.m. PT
• What to expect: Alan Beaulieu will offer a comprehensive look at the economic trends defining society today, what they mean for the future through 2025, and how they will impact attendees.
  

We look forward to seeing you at Deliver 2023!