Event
GCCA Cold Chain Connection Pacific – Seattle
Event Overview
Join Us for the GCCA Cold Chain Connection Pacific – Seattle
Join industry colleagues for the upcoming GCCA Cold Chain Connection Pacific, October 27-28 in Seattle, where professionals from across the North American temperature-controlled supply chain will come together for practical education, industry insights, and peer networking.
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.
This year’s program is designed with regional leaders in mind and is not just for executives. The educational programming is built for GMs, facility managers, and leaders in technology, security, engineering, operations, team management, and customer-facing roles, as well as others looking to tap into a network of peers and industry insights across the Pacific Northwest.
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 Warehouse Members, Non-member Warehouses, and Sponsors.
If you’re an Associate Member interested in sponsoring, please contact Josh Meyers.
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 27 | Session |
|---|---|
| 12:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | NW Pacific Chapter Meeting NW Chapter Members |
| 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception at Top Golf All Attendees, Transportation Provided |
| 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Dinner All Attendees |
| October 28 | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Networking Breakfast |
| 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | GCCA Warehouse & Logistics Member Regional Forum Warehouse Only |
| 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Association Update Sara Stickler, President & CEO, GCCA |
| 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | Practical Applications of AI in Cold Storage |
| 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. | Networking Break |
| 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Extending Facility Life: Technology, Equipment & Maintenance Strategies |
| 12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. | Networking Lunch |
| 1:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Food Safety & FSMA: Best Practices for Cold Chain Operations |
| 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Seafood Market & Agribusiness Outlook |
Schedule subject to change.
Program Details
GCCA Warehouse & Logistics Member Regional Forum
A candid, peer-to-peer discussion for GCCA warehouse and logistics members on the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the cold chain, including market outlook, AI and technology, operational challenges, customer needs, industry data and benchmarking, and other topics relevant to your business and market. The forum will also provide an opportunity to share input on what data, research, programming, and advocacy would be most valuable from GCCA.
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.
Practical Applications of AI in Cold Storage
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
Bob Tippmann, President, QuickFreeze
Greg Akselrod, CTO, Outpost
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
Stephen Neel, PhD, VP, Global Food Optimization, Lineage
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.
Seafood Market & Agribusiness Outlook
Gain valuable insights into the forces shaping today’s poultry and agribusiness markets. This session will explore poultry market trends, supply and demand dynamics, trade developments, production costs, and economic factors influencing the industry, while highlighting what these changes mean for poultry processing, cold chain warehousing, logistics, and food supply chain operations.
Venue
18525 36th Ave. S
Seattle, Washington, 98188
We are pleased to offer a discounted room rate of $279 + tax & fees. You can access the discounted rate here, using the group code 71623. Alternatively, reservations may also be made by calling (206) 901-9268 extension 1.
The discounted rate is available through September 25, 2026. Hotel reservations must be cancelled by 4:00 pm two days prior to arrival to avoid penalty of 1 night room rate and tax.
Cancellation Policy
There is no cancellation fee before September 14, 2026. There are no refunds after September 14, 2026. However, you can make an attendee substitution at no additional charge, please contact Lydia Barr for assistance.
In addition to canceling your registration, please be sure to contact the hotel directly to cancel your room reservation.
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.
Sponsors
