2026 GCCA Convention
2026 Program
We are building a world-class agenda designed to address the most critical challenges and opportunities facing the cold chain. Hereโs a preview of what you can expect:
Global Keynotes on the "Now & Next" of Cold Chain
Prepare to be challenged and inspired by global leaders, economic forecasters, and technology visionaries. Our keynote presentations will deliver forward-thinking insights on the most pressing "now and next" issues.
ย Expert Panels: High-Level Cold Chain Strategy
Engage in high-level strategic conversations with the subject matter experts who are defining the industry. Our panels will feature seasoned executives and innovators debating the critical topics in the cold chain.
Tactical Focus Sessions
This is your unique opportunity to drill down into the critical details of daily operations. These specialized, tactical sessions empower you and your team with actionable solutions. Tracks will cover essential topics like energy management, regulatory compliance, warehouse automation, and labor retention.
The Cold Chain Cafรฉ: Interactive Roundtable Solutions
A signature component of the Convention, the Cold Chain Cafรฉ is where the conversation comes alive. These fast-paced, interactive roundtable discussions cover a vast range of relevant and necessary topics, allowing you to crowdsource solutions, share best practices, and find immediate answers to your most specific operational questions.
World-Class Networking & Community Building
The true value of the GCCA Convention is the community. We've designed the 2026 experience to maximize your connections.
- On-Site Networking: From the welcome reception to dedicated networking breaks, we create structured opportunities to foster powerful connections with the industry's most influential decision-makers.
- Off-Site Community Building: Join us for memorable off-site events. Set against the beautiful Scottsdale landscape, these informal gatherings are where colleagues become collaborators and a global community is strengthened.
The Innovation Showcase: Technology & Service Partners
The GCCA Convention is made possible by the invaluable, forward-thinking solutions from our sponsorsย and exhibitors. The Innovation Showcase is where we bring you the partners moving the industry forward. This is your direct access to the cutting-edge technology, services, and equipment, from next-generation refrigerants to AI-driven visibility platforms, that will define the future of your operations.
Interested in Sharing Your Expertise?
The call for speakers is open through January 23, 2026. We invite you to submit your interest to contribute to the educational program at the 2026 GCCA Convention.
General Sessions
Tuesday April 28
General Session | 9:00 a.m. - 10: 00 a.m.
Creating Iconic Brands
Greg Creed, Former CEO & COO of Taco Bell & Yum! Brands
Greg Creed brings a unique perspective as both a former customer and a global brand leader, offering insights on how 3PLs can better partner with their customers to drive mutual success and long-term growth. Before serving as CEO of Yum! Brands and Taco Bell, he was the CMO for KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, giving him a deep understanding of what customers truly value from their supply chain partners.ย
In this engaging and informative session, Creed walks audiences through some of his most iconic campaignsโincluding โThink Outside the Bunโ and โWould it kill you to say youโre sorry?โโwhile sharing how strong branding, creativity, and customer-centric thinking can transform business performance. He also explores his forward-looking focus on emerging technologies, including AI, inspiring attendees to consider how innovative, unexpected approaches can strengthen partnerships and fuel sustainable growth across the cold chain.ย
General Session | 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
U.S. Outlook & Structural Shifts
Drew T. Matus, Chief Market Strategist, MetLife Investment Managementย
In this keynote, Drew Matus, Chief Market Strategist for MetLife Investment Management (MIM), will examine the key economic forces shaping the U.S. outlook and its implications for business and investment strategy. In his role, Drew leads the development of global market outlooks and investment themes that inform portfolio management and strategic decision-making across MIM, and he frequently appears on CNBC and Bloomberg to share his perspectives on the economy and markets.
The session will explore the forces expected to drive U.S. growth in the year ahead, how global trade realignment and tariffs are reshaping the operating environment for U.S. businesses, and what interest rate policy and inflation trends may mean for markets and planning. Drew will also examine whether the labor market is settling into a lower-growth equilibrium and what that means for employers, before addressing the rise of a K-shaped economy, where technology-driven productivity gains are accelerating divergence across industries and workers.
Wednesday, April 29
General Session | 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Fireside Chat
Doug Ducey, 23rd Governor of Arizona, Former CEO of Cold Stone Creamery, current CEO of Citizens for Free Enterprise
Sara Stickler, President & CEO, GCCA
Doug Ducey, former CEO of Cold Stone Creamery and 23rd Governor of Arizona, brings a unique perspective on growing businesses internationally and partnering effectively with customers to support strategic growth. As CEO, he led Cold Stoneโs expansion from a single store into a global brand with more than 1,400 locations across the U.S. and 10 countries, gaining firsthand experience in scaling operations, franchising, and international market growth.
Drawing on his time as governor, Ducey also shares insights on the critical role free trade plays in economic growth, job creation, and global competitivenessโconnecting lessons from both the private and public sectors to todayโs business environment.ย
General Session | 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.ย
Late Night Lessons in Leadershipย
Lindsay Shookus, Legendary Saturday Night Live Producer
The ability to think through challenges is essential for any leader, changemaker, or impact player.ย Itโsย something award-winning TV producer Lindsayย Shookusย is no stranger to, having dealt with the pressure cooker of producing live TV for two decades. As she learned early on in her career, anything and everything can go wrong at a momentโs notice. But rather than running from the fire, she always found that running into it enabled her to think on her feet and tap into creative problem solving.ย ย
In this talk, Shookus opens up about unforeseen moments behind the scenes during her legendary career producing โSaturday Night Liveโ and other popular programs and shares important takeaways for how she was able to navigate these circumstances, and how anyone can do the same. Shookusโ insights are designed to help audience members reframe their mindsets to help them find the opportunity in adversity, make quick decisions, and develop solutions that will move them from one step backwards to two steps forward. As Shookus shares, teamwork, resilience, accountability, and adaptability are all key components for sharpening your skills as a problem solver and emerging from the fire stronger, smarter, and better.ย
Call for Speakers
The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) invites you to submit your interest to contribute to the educational program at the 2026 GCCA Convention. For 2026, GCCA is introducing a new session format:ย
Instead of submitting your own session idea, applicants will now apply to join one of six curated Convention sessions. Each session will feature multiple experts selected to provide diverse insights, real-world experience, and thought leadership on a shared theme.ย
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute your expertise, engage with peers, and help drive high-level conversations that shape the future of the cold chain.ย
Why Speak at #GCCACon2026?ย
- Demonstrate leadership in your area of expertiseย
- Showcase thought leadership and success storiesย
- Drive meaningful conversations in the cold chain communityย
2026 Session Structure
New in 2026: Deep Dive Discussions
Your Platform for Cold Chain Leadership
The Deep Dive Discussions are the essential new content at the 2026 GCCA Convention, designed for cold chain leaders seeking collaborative, high-level engagement. These sessions are structured as candid, peer-to-peer roundtables where influential executives, owners, and senior managers from the warehouse and logistics sectors share practical experiences and develop actionable solutions.
A vital part of the program, these discussions move beyond generalities to address critical, complex challenges facing the industry today, ranging from cybersecurity, insurance, and sustainability to emerging issues that will directly impact the transportation and logistics sector. Plan to attend this unique forum to access the collective wisdom of your peers and drive strategic change.
Focus Sessions
Explore, Engage, Excel: A Closer Look at GCCA Focus Sessions
While the main stage provides broad inspiration, our Focus Sessions offer a unique opportunity to drill down into the critical details that impact your daily operations. Complementing the keynote addresses and general conference programming, these sessions provide targeted learning on a variety of industry-specific topics.
Engage directly with industry leaders and discover the latest insights and actionable strategies that are transforming the cold chain. Come prepared to ask questions, share challenges, and capture the transformative ideas that will help your business excel. Check out the GCCA Focus Session schedule and plan which expert-led discussions you'll attend.
Tuesday, April 28
3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
4:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 29
10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.ย
Cold Chain Cafรฉ
Tuesday, April 28
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Cold Chain Cafรฉ is a roundtable discussion component of the program where attendees will participate in valuable dialogue with their peers. Participants will engage in up to 3 fast-paced, 15-minute discussions and choose from over 14 different topics.
Topics will include:
AI Integration in the Cold Chain
Capital Equipment Upgrades and Planning
Construction Trends
Cyber Security
Energy and Sustainability
Food Safety Regulations
Food Waste Reduction/Food Security
Global Trade, Tariffs and Supply Chain Disruptions
Legal and Insurance Trends
Macroeconomic Trends and Impact on Cold Chain
Practical HR: Benefits, Programs, and Hiring Sources
Women in the Cold Chain
Monday, April 27
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
We invite you to a special breakfast program, designed to transform your professional impact. This high-impact, experiential event is crafted specifically for women executives, senior leaders, and high-potential emerging leaders in the cold chain industry.
In this 2-hour interactive experience, participants will be empowered to define their unique leadership presence and reputational impact they have on others. Attendees will develop strategies to consistently lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Let us know if you are interested in participating in this special event.
Open to confirmed GCCA Convention registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP is required.ย
Sponsors
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