General Sessions

Program is subject to change. 

Keynote Session

Flawless Execution

Rob "Rocko" Ceravolo, CEO, Afterburner, Former U.S. Navy Pilot

Stacia "Match" Madsen, U.S. Airforce Fighter Pilot

Great strategy loses to poor execution every time. When initiatives stall on the way to launch, the Flawless Execution methodology gives your team a method that carries strategy through to results.

You’ll learn the same four-step cycle a squadron runs on every mission, shown against real unclassified mission footage, one phase at a time.

About the Speakers

Rob “Rocko” Ceravolo is the Chief Executive Officer of Afterburner. A former U.S. Navy fighter aviator and TOPGUN graduate, he flew the F-14D, F/A-18E, and F-5N over 14 years of service in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, holding multiple squadron leadership roles. In 2009, he founded Tropic Ocean Airways with one aircraft and one employee; today the Fort Lauderdale-based carrier is the world’s largest amphibious airline. Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, Ceravolo took command of Afterburner in August 2026, as the company he leads marked 30 years of teaching flawless execution.

Stacia “Match” Madsen is a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, business professional, and Afterburner speaker who brings combat-proven leadership to organizations seeking elite performance. She has logged more than 1,100 instructor hours in the T-38 and 400 flight hours in the A-10 Warthog, including over 100 combat hours supporting Operation Spartan Shield. A graduate of Brigham Young University with an MBA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Match built her foundation in marketing, entrepreneurship, and business before taking to the skies. A trailblazer in military aviation, she made history as the first fighter pilot to fly a single-seat ejection aircraft while pregnant.

Cold Chain Café

The Cold Chain Café is a roundtable discussion component of the program where the conversation comes alive. These fast-paced, interactive roundtable discussions cover leadership, technical/operational, and professional development topics, allowing you to crowdsource solutions, share best practices, and find immediate answers to your most specific operational questions.

Cold Chain Trivia

Network, Compete & Collaborate

Think you know the cold chain? Get ready to put your industry expertise to the test in a fun, high-energy environment. Our Cold Chain Trivia Challenge is the perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with colleagues, and engage in some friendly rivalry.

We’re mixing it up by creating teams of students, advisors, and faculty. It's a unique chance to collaborate, share knowledge across generations, and see who truly knows the ins and outs of the temperature-controlled supply chain.

COURSES

The Cold Chain Institute features a comprehensive curriculum focused on best practices in the refrigerated warehousing and logistics industries. Our carefully curated faculty of industry specialists will guide students through key areas of cold chain logistics management, including customer service, employee safety, food safety, warehouse operations, transport operations, and professional development.

The courses listed below for Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 are highlights from our curriculum. The complete program, including detailed course descriptions, is available in the linked PDF.

FULL PROGRAM

YEAR 1 CURRICULUM

YEAR 2 CURRICULUM

YEAR 3 CURRICULUM

Institute Supporter Program

Partner with the GCCA Institute to put your brand directly in front of the cold chain industry’s rising decision-makers. By supporting the Institute, your company is investing in the future of the industry while building meaningful connections with emerging professionals, faculty, and industry leaders.

Who You’ll Reach

Attendees represent the operational core of temperature-controlled logistics, including emerging leaders, operations managers, and supply chain professionals dedicated to advancing their careers. If your products or services support the safety, quality, and efficiency of temperature-sensitive goods, this is your target audience.