There’s a good reason our virtual MDM AI for Distributors Summit on Feb. 7 is first in our lineup of four virtual summits in 2024 (all free to attend). Artificial intelligence is dominating the attention of the world due to its still-to-be-clarified power to unlock innovation and competitive advantage.

Our six-hour program, on-demand if you can’t attend live, connects leaders of the $9-trillion North American wholesale distribution industry to share what’s on the horizon for AI models, as well as the latest strategy, integration and implementation guidance to create meaningful organizational transformation today. We’ve designed the event to help leadership teams evaluate, assess and scale AI investments successfully. We built the sessions and panel discussions to cut through the current high levels of noise and clutter; we’re doing our best to flatten the still-steep hype cycle curve.

View the agenda and register here.

One of our headliner sessions (there are many, see below!) will be a practical guide to using ChatGPT. The session walks through a practical tutorial for how distribution executives can increase their daily productivity in this hands-on session.

We’re also tapping into some deep and diverse technology experience in distribution for this. Here’s an overview of what we’re covering.

Our leadoff keynote session by Tony Pericle of Profit Optics aims to demystify AI for industry leaders, providing clear insights into its practical application and strategic value. Our focus is to offer a pragmatic roadmap for executives to leverage AI, ensuring their companies not only keep pace but lead in the rapidly changing digital business environment.

The keynote sets the stage for the first of our three panels, which is a debrief with a few of the participants in MDM’s 2023 research on artificial intelligence by Kevin Reid-Morris. Palmer-Donavin CEO Robyn Pollina and Distribution Alliance Executive VP Nate Scott share the latest on their current AI integration efforts.

Here’s a few more of the sessions we have teed up – you can view more details on the speakers and panelists on our event site:

• Risks & Ethical Considerations with AI Deployment featuring Michael Knight, CEO of Endries International
• Beyond the Hype: Leveraging AI for Distributors’ Next Best Actions
• Panel: Critical Steps to Get Your Data AI-Ready Now!
• What Microsoft CoPilot Means for Distributors
• Panel: Crafting an Effective AI Strategy for Distribution Organizations

You’ll see a dual thread to the theme of our 2024 AI for Distributors Summit – our sessions offer a mix of the potential and the pitfalls. We have a group of executives, technologists, innovators and implementers who are generously sharing the insights they’re gaining in their AI journey.

Distribution businesses exist to create and protect value, and AI offers new avenues for creating and maximizing value. The intersection of these two orbits provides a significant opportunity: distribution executives who are equipped with an understanding of AI as well as the know-how of how to take action will be well-positioned to capture this value. I hope you can join us, or register to access the event on-demand when you can.

Again, view the agenda and register here.