Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference 2026 will be held from October 21 to 23 at W Nashville. This event brings together top executives and innovators in the supply chain sector, focusing on logistics, retail, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals.
Attendees will gain insights into the latest technologies and strategies driving the future of supply chain management. NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference 2026 takes place in Nashville, United States.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference 2026 takes place from October 21 to 23, 2026, at W Nashville, Tennessee.
- 2Scale and Focus: This conference focuses on innovations in supply chain management, featuring key industry leaders and cutting-edge technology.
- 3Organiser: The event is organized by NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference, with registration available at their official website.
- 4Entry / Access: Registration is open now; visit the official site for details on ticketing and event schedule.
Why visit
For supply chain, logistics and operations leaders, NextGen Supply Chain Conference is a focused Nashville forum for evaluating what comes after legacy planning and execution stacks.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference 2026 provides companies with direct access to decision-makers in the supply chain industry, showcasing their innovations and solutions. This conference focuses on innovations in supply chain management, featuring key industry leaders and cutting-edge technology. Attendees include C-Level executives, VPs, and Directors from logistics, operations, and supply chain management sectors.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
C-Level executives in supply chain management
VPs and Directors of logistics and operations
Procurement professionals
Supply chain analysts
Technology providers in supply chain solutions
Consultants in supply chain strategy
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Logistics service providers
Supply chain technology companies
Retail supply chain solutions
Food and beverage logistics firms
Pharmaceutical supply chain specialists
Automation and robotics suppliers
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Supply chain management software
Logistics and transportation solutions
Warehouse automation technologies
Inventory management systems
Data analytics tools for supply chain
Sustainability solutions in logistics
Location & Facilities
Venue
W Nashville
Nashville, United States
Facilities
Parking
W Nashville in Nashville typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: W Nashville in Nashville typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at W Nashville for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Nashville, United States
Why it matters
On 2026-10-21 to 2026-10-23, NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference 2026 in Nashville covering Supply chain management software, Logistics and transportation solutions, Warehouse automation technologies, Inventory m gives food buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Nashville International Airport
Nashville International Airport (BNA) is the main commercial gateway serving Nashville; allow 45-60 min by road or rail to W Nashville
to venue
by car
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is the main commercial gateway serving Nashville; allow 45-60 min by road or rail to W Nashville
to venue
by car
Memphis International Airport
Memphis International Airport (MEM) is the main commercial gateway serving Nashville; allow 45-60 min by road or rail to W Nashville
to venue
by car
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Bus
Estimated costUSD 2.50-6 single metro/light-rail journey (contactless)
Best forBNA Airport to downtown Nashville via WeGo Route 18
WeGo Public Transit Route 18 connects Nashville International Airport with downtown; from downtown, The Gulch and W Nashville are a short walk or rideshare.
Rideshare
Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forBNA Airport to W Nashville, The Gulch
Uber and Lyft pick up in the airport rideshare zone; allow 15-25 min outside peak traffic.
Taxi
Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forBNA Airport to W Nashville, The Gulch
Taxi pickup is available at BNA; the captured Nashville guide quotes roughly USD 30 to Broadway/downtown, with The Gulch slightly closer.
Parking
Estimated costApprox. USD 30-50 per night at hotel valet or self-park; public garages often lower - confirm current rates
Best forW Nashville / The Gulch public garages
Downtown Nashville hotel parking is typically paid; check whether your room rate includes parking and compare public garage daily maximums.
Walking
Estimated costUSD 0 - 5-10 min walk from nearby Gulch hotels
Best forThe Gulch hotels to W Nashville
Fairfield, Canopy and Embassy Suites are all within roughly 400-620 m of W Nashville; walking avoids event-day traffic.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from BNA to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forNashville International Airport (BNA) to W Nashville
Nashville International Airport (BNA) is the main commercial gateway serving Nashville; allow 45-60 min by road or rail to W Nashville.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from SDF to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forLouisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) to W Nashville
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is the main commercial gateway serving Nashville; allow 45-60 min by road or rail to W Nashville.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from MEM to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forMemphis International Airport (MEM) to W Nashville
Memphis International Airport (MEM) is the main commercial gateway serving Nashville; allow 45-60 min by road or rail to W Nashville.
Weather
October in Nashville is generally mild, with daytime highs around 68-75 F (20-24 C) and overnight lows around 50-55 F (10-13 C). Rain showers are possible; check the forecast 7-10 days before travel. These are climatological ranges, not a forecast for the 2026 edition.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
US mobile networks (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) cover downtown Nashville; check your roaming plan or install an eSIM before departure. W Nashville can confirm guest and meeting-room Wi-Fi for live demos. Power is 120 V, 60 Hz with Type A/B plugs; bring a converter for UK or EU devices.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business dress
Business casual is typical for supply chain conferences; skip the tie unless you are presenting to a large procurement or executive audience.
Tipping
US restaurants expect 18-20% tips; bars often add automatic gratuity for groups. Keep small bills for airport and hotel staff.
Arrival
Arrive the evening before if you have morning meetings; badge pickup can take time on day one.
Local etiquette
Nashville is informal; introductions often use first names, and small talk about music or food is common.
Weather contingency
Keep a compact umbrella and a light layer for air-conditioned session rooms.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: BNA
Book into BNA. Captured Google Flights guidance says the cheapest window for JFK-BNA is usually 1-4 months before departure, and late-October 2026 fares were flagged as high on New York and London routes. Set a price alert, compare LHR and New York connections, and avoid SDF or MEM, which are in different metro areas. Confirm baggage and change rules before booking.
Hotels
Find a stay near the venue with options for every budget.
Check-in (recommended)
2026-10-21
Check-out (recommended)
2026-10-23
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Nashville International Airport (BNA): Nashville International Airport (BNA) is the main commercial gateway serving Nashville; allow 45-60 min by road or rail to W Nashville; Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF): Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is the main commercial gateway serving Nashville; allow 45-60 min by road or rail to W Nashville; Memphis International Airport (MEM): Memphis International Airport (MEM) is the main commercial gateway
Hotel → venue: The three closest captured hotels are in The Gulch: Fairfield by Marriott (approx. 490 m), Canopy by Hilton (approx. 400 m) and Embassy Suites (approx. 620 m). All are walkable to W Nashville in roughly 5-10 min; use rideshare only with heavy luggage or rain. Confirm your hotel address against the venue entrance on arrival.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft operate in Nashville. At BNA, follow signs to the rideshare pickup zone; to W Nashville, expect approx. USD 25-35 and 15-25 min outside peak traffic. Confirm the pickup pin with your driver and check surge pricing during large downtown events.
Parking: W Nashville and nearby Gulch garages offer paid parking; budget approx. USD 30-50 per night at hotel valet or self-park and confirm current rates. Rideshare is often cheaper than parking for a single-day visit.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: October 2026
Temperature: Approx. 50-75 F (10-24 C), with warmer afternoons and cooler evenings
Seasonality: October is generally mild and moderately dry in Nashville, but showers are possible; this is a climatological band, not a 2026 forecast. Check the 7-10 day forecast before packing.
Packing: Pack layers, a compact umbrella, comfortable walking shoes for The Gulch, business casual attire and a light jacket for air-conditioned session rooms. Bring a Type A/B power adapter if your devices use UK or EU plugs.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference 2026 usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Confirm your registration and badge pickup window on the NextGen Supply Chain Conference site.
T-2
Book flights into BNA, not SDF or MEM, and set a reminder for the 1-4 month booking window noted in the capture.
T-3
Reserve a Gulch or downtown hotel and confirm the walk to W Nashville.
T-4
Download the WeGo app and save Route 18 bus times as a backup to rideshare.
T-5
Set up Uber or Lyft and add a backup payment card for airport pickup.
T-6
Review the official schedule and shortlist sessions on visibility, AI planning, automation and transportation.
T-7
Prepare two questions for sponsors about integration, data onboarding and total cost.
T-8
Request meetings with peers or vendors before arrival.
T-9
Check the 7-10 day Nashville forecast and pack layers plus a compact umbrella.
T-10
Confirm US mobile roaming or install an eSIM.
T-11
Pack business casual attire and comfortable shoes.
T-12
Save your hotel confirmation and venue address offline.
T-13
Plan a buffer of 30-45 min for day-one badge pickup.
T-14
Schedule a follow-up block for the week after the conference.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at W Nashville
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference 2026 registration concourse
W Nashville
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
W Nashville
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$230.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$380.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference 2026 fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference 2026, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Supply chain management software and Logistics and transportation solutions solutions and benchmarking suppliers at NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference 2026 in Nashville.
Min. budget
$500.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Supply chain management software and Logistics and transportation solutions products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,250.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Nashville show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Glossary
- Control tower
- A supply chain control tower is a central visibility layer that combines order, inventory, transport and supplier data so teams can detect exceptions and act before service fails. Conference discussions usually focus on data integration, alert design and decision rights.
- Digital twin
- A digital twin is a simulated model of a supply chain network, warehouse or production line used to test scenarios before changing the real operation. Teams use twins for capacity planning, disruption response and layout design.
- Transportation management system (TMS)
- A TMS plans, executes and settles freight movements across modes. It typically covers carrier selection, load tendering, rate management, tracking and freight audit.
- Warehouse management system (WMS)
- A WMS directs receiving, put-away, picking, packing and shipping inside a distribution center. Modern WMS platforms connect to automation, labour management and order management systems.
- Sales and operations planning (S&OP)
- S&OP is a monthly planning cycle that aligns demand, supply, finance and commercial teams on one operating plan. It is often the governance layer above forecasting and inventory optimization.
- Integrated business planning (IBP)
- IBP extends S&OP into a broader management process that links strategy, financial plans and supply chain scenarios. It is common in large manufacturers and consumer goods companies.
- Last-mile delivery
- Last-mile delivery covers the final movement of goods from a depot or store to the customer. It is the most expensive and visible part of e-commerce fulfilment, shaped by route density, returns and delivery windows.
- Nearshoring
- Nearshoring moves production or sourcing closer to the end market to shorten lead times and reduce exposure to distant supply disruptions. It often changes transport modes, inventory buffers and supplier qualification plans.
- Supply chain visibility
- Supply chain visibility is the ability to track inventory, shipments and supplier events across tiers in near real time. It depends on data sharing, event standards and exception management, not only tracking screens.
- Warehouse automation
- Warehouse automation includes conveyors, sorters, autonomous mobile robots, shuttle systems and automated storage and retrieval. The business case depends on order profile, labour availability and uptime.
- Freight audit and payment
- Freight audit and payment checks carrier invoices against contracted rates, accessorial rules and service evidence before payment. It is a common quick-win area for logistics cost control.
- Inventory optimization
- Inventory optimization sets safety stock and replenishment rules by item, location and service target. It balances working capital against fill rate and lead-time variability.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- logistics events 2026
- supply chain management conference
- NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference 2026 Nashville
- NEXTGEN Supply Chain Conference Nashville 2026
- NEXTGEN 2026
- NEXTGEN Nashville 2026
- Nashville United States
- Food & Beverage
- Chemical & Pharmaceuticals
- Supply Chain Conference Conference Nashville
1 more alternate names hidden
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.