Event Overview

Join Us for the GCCA Cold Chain Connection Pacific Northwest – Seattle

Join industry colleagues for the upcoming GCCA Cold Chain Connection Pacific Northwest, October 27-28 in Seattle. This regional gathering brings together professionals across temperature-controlled warehousing, logistics, transportation, and design-build to share insights and strengthen regional connections.

The event opens with regional chapter meetings, followed by a welcome reception and dinner. Programming on Wednesday leads off with an Association Update from GCCA President and CEO, Sara Stickler, followed by a focused half-day of collaborative educational sessions. Topics will cover key developments in technology and innovation, food safety & FSMA best practices, and important industry updates relevant to cold chain operations in the region.

Whether you are looking to exchange ideas with local peers, discuss shared regional challenges, or stay ahead of industry trends, this event offers a valuable forum to connect and learn together.

This event is open to GCCA Members.

Non-Member Warehouse companies, please send us an email for more information. 

What to Expect

This year’s program is designed to give you the knowledge and connections you need to thrive in the North American temperature-controlled supply chain sector in the coming years. Here is a preview of what you can expect:

October 27Session
12:00 p.m. Registration Open
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.NW Pacific Chapter Meeting
NW Chapter Members
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pacific Warehouse & Logistics Forum
Warehouse Only
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Welcome Reception
All Attendees
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Dinner
All Attendees
October 28Session
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Networking Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.Association Update

Sara Stickler, President & CEO, GCCA
9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Practical Applications of AI in Cold Storage
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Extending Facility Life: Technology, Equipment & Maintenance Strategies
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Coffee Break
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Food Safety & FSMA: Best Practices for Cold Chain Operations
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.Cold Chain Café & Lunch

Schedule subject to change.

Program Details

Association Update

Sara Stickler, President & CEO, GCCA

Join us for an overview of association’s impact on your business, industry trends, advocacy efforts and new resource preview.

 

 


A Practical Guide to Understanding and Adopting AI

Craig Sizemore, Co-Founder, Managing Principal, STEPS Consulting

Artificial intelligence is no longer just an emerging technology—it is a practical tool that can help cold storage professionals work smarter and more efficiently today. This session provides a practical framework for understanding what AI can and can’t do, offers tips for helping your organization get started with adoption, and focuses on real-world applications already helping organizations reduce administrative burden, improve individual productivity, and make better team decisions.

Attendees will learn a clear way to think about AI’s capabilities, gain a starting approach for rolling out AI across their teams, and walk through concrete examples drawn from everyday operations and administrative work.


Extending Facility Life: Technology, Equipment & Maintenance Strategies

Maximize the performance and lifespan of your facility through proactive maintenance and smart technology investments. This session will cover refrigeration controls, temperature monitoring, preventive maintenance, and asset management strategies that improve reliability, reduce downtime, and extend equipment life. Learn how to evaluate replacement options, assess new technologies, and prioritize capital investments when systems become outdated or unsupported. 


Food Safety & FSMA: Best Practices for Cold Chain Operations 

Maintaining food safety requires a proactive approach to compliance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. This session will explore the latest Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) updates, regulatory expectations, and practical strategies for strengthening food safety programs across cold chain operations. Participants will also learn how to leverage GCCA’s The Cold Chain – Best Practices guide to implement proven food safety practices, improve consistency, reduce risk, and build a stronger culture of food safety throughout their facilities. 


Venue

Cedarbrook Lodge

18525 36th Ave. S

Seattle, Washington

98188

Booking information coming soon. 


Can’t make it to Seattle? Explore our full GCCA Events Calendar to find an event near you.

 

GCCA Event Registration, Cancellation, and Code of Conduct Policies

By submission of your conference registration, you (Registrant) and/or the persons you are registering acknowledge acceptance of the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) Code of Conduct and Event Policies.

Date Range

October 27 - October 28, 2026

Event Type

In Person

Region

United States

Sector

GCCA Transportation, GCCA Warehouse, Global Cold Chain Foundation

If you are registering for a GCCA event on behalf of another person, please use their username and password to log in.

Contact

Lydia Barr

lbarr@gcca.org