Your customers are changing. Your competitors are circling. Your employees are evolving. Simply put, your deadline for digital transformation is imminent. Will you be ready to meet it? Digital transformation demands that leaders re-imagine the way they do business from the perspective of a new, connected generation. Customer obsession is the key, and that requires an entirely new mindset, a culture of collaboration and a willingness to encourage dangerous ideas. So, how do you re-define your value in a digital age? In futurist and author Mike Walsh’s view, without a plan for digital transformation, your company is living on borrowed time.

Part 1: ‘The Contract’s 3-Part Process & Types of Contracts & Their Provisions’
Improve your preparation, execution and management of transportation-related contracts with this one-day conference version of our popular Academy seminar led by Rob Moseley, head of the transportation industry group at Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP.

Throughout the modern era, the greatest leaps in the supply chain have come when innovators have opted to do things a little differently – investing in new technologies, forging non-traditional relationships, and leveraging expertise to create groundbreaking solutions. Looking beyond the horizon, this session will examine recent technologies such as cloud based tools and APIs that are important in shaping digital partnerships as well as the new methodologies that have pushed the curve to dramatically respond to the needs of the marketplace quickly.

Spend the morning enjoying a tour of Palm Beach, discovering the town’s colorful history, world-class architecture and famous (and infamous) residents. The tour will conclude at Belle and Maxwell tearoom on Antiques Row for a delicious lunch. Guests will have optional time to explore Antiques Row following lunch.

Here’s a hard truth: brick-and-mortar retailers that don’t take Amazon’s disruptive presence seriously are going to see their sales continue to shrink. One of the keys to Amazon’s success? Free shipping. This session digs into free shipping’s impact on consumer behavior and how Amazon recovers shipping costs. Analyst Satish Jindel will also discuss the growth of private-label goods and changes coming to the brick-and-mortar stores that will impact distribution.

Larry J. Sabato, a professor at the University of Virginia and director of the school’s Center for Politics, is a political authority. While the presidential election has been decided, the political process still plays an important role in the formulation of supply chain strategy. In his Crystal Ball discussion, Sabato will reflect on the election’s impact on Congress and provide insight into the midterms, a short two years away. Sabato will look closely at the data and discuss how different demographic groups shaped the race for the White House and how they will continue to impact American elections.

2016 was a year for the ages in global politics and its impact on trade and transportation, but as we turn the corner and head into the middle of 2017, what are the critical issues? What are the trends impacting trade? Who better to answer these questions than one of the world’s most renowned economic forecasters of our time, Dr. Don Ratajczak. Join us as we dive deep into discussion where Dr. Don will guide you around the globe in 60 minutes, giving an economic perspective that provides supply chain professionals with the insight to make informed decisions and better investments.

Lay by the pool or soak up the rays in our exclusive bungalows, fully stocked with snacks and beverages.

Enjoy this informative tour of the historic Breakers
*Guests must register in advance.

With every employee-customer interaction, there’s an opportunity to build – or lose – brand equity. To ensure an outstanding brand, the company’s internal brand team members need to be fully prepared to carry out the organization’s brand game plan. To set a company up for success, this brand experience should align with employee talents, incorporate customer insights, and include integrated strategies. Connections 2017’s branding session will examine these topics and more.

Partake in this time-honored guest tradition, and enjoy breakfast and good conversation on this final day of Connections 2017. Guests will be treated to “The Essence of Scent” presented by a Mounts Botanical Garden horticulturist. Learn how a raw flower is transformed into a fragrant elixir and smell the flowers which are the essence of such perfumes like Chanel No. 5, Joy and others!

With so much uncertainty in Washington, supply chain companies need a better understanding of the financial and operational ramifications of the decisions being handed down in our nation’s capital. Two of transportation’s most renowned regulatory experts, Larry Minor, associate administrator for policy at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and transportation attorney John Bagileo will discuss both sides of safety fitness determination and highly automated commercial vehicles.