Evening

IFDA Launchpad Welcome Party

Welcome to Launchpad, the official welcome party kickoff to IFDA Solutions! Set in the vibrant atrium of the Columbus Convention Center, this is where ideas spark, connections ignite and the energy for what’s next comes to life. Mingle with foodservice distribution pros, swap insights and set the tone for an epic conference ahead. This is where next takes off!

7:00 AM – 7:45 AM

Next Starts Now – Networking Breakfast

Greater Columbus Convention Center, Union Station Ballroom Foyer

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Opening Keynote

Greater Columbus Convention Center, Union Station Ballroom

Win the Next Five Years.
The next few years might be crazy. Your business doesn’t have to be. In this keynote, we’ll reveal how foodservice distribution is evolving. How AI, economic shifts, demographic trends, and geopolitical changes – are unlocking new opportunities for C-suite executives, warehouse operators, and drivers alike. From autonomous trucks to AI administration and from enhanced capital flow to advanced cold chains, you’ll gain science-based frameworks for responsible investments in transportation, warehousing, and supply chain operations. You’ll walk away with mind-opening insights and actionable strategies to future-proof your business and secure real-world advantages over the next five years.

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM

Workshops

View workshop details here.

• How Technology is Revolutionizing Foodservice Distribution
• Labor Relations with Phillip Wilson
• Harnessing the power of predictive analytics and AI in Transportation
• IFDA Government Affairs Update

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Morning Refreshment Break

The morning break is your chance to grab a fresh cup of coffee, connect with peers, and let the morning’s insights sink in. Whether you’re continuing a hallway conversation or starting a new one, this is where ideas percolate. Next starts here – in every moment.

11:30 AM -2:30 PM

Lunch

Expo Floor

Explore Columbus Culinary Scene. Enjoy the best that Columbus has to offer when you get to choose your own adventure for lunch. Instead of the usual conference fare, we’re giving you the freedom to explore an array of restaurants from Columbus’s vibrant restaurant scene.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Workshops

View workshop details here.

• Maximizing Efficiency: Life Cycle Management of Refrigerated Trailers
• Leveraging Technology for Supplier and Food Safety Compliance
• AI-Powered Automation Solutions We Can Use Today
• Talent in the New World of Work

11:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Discovery Zone Express Talks

View Express Talk details here.

• Empowering Every Generation to Learn and Grow
• Moving Safety Through Our Companies Like Moving Product
• Staffing Smarter: Reducing Costs Without Sacrificing Quality
• Navigating New Terrain – Food Institute’s Strategic Framework

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Workshops

View workshop details here.

• Fair-Chance CDL Drivers: A Sustainable Solution to Driver Turnover
• The Blueprint to Future-Proof Your Warehouse Operations
• Are your emails getting delivered? Then you need to know about these three things…
• Train & Retain: Investing in Workforce Development

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM

Afternoon Refreshment Break

Take a moment to recharge. The afternoon break offers a second wind—and a perfect time to reflect, refocus, and reconnect. Step into casual conversations that often spark the most unexpected breakthroughs. Next starts here—even in the in-between.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Workshops

View workshop details here.

• Beyond Benchmark: Driving Operational Excellence in Food Distribution
• IFDA Safety Committee Panel
• Our Leadership Future: Harnessing Emotional and Artificial Intelligence
• Future-Proofing Food Service Distribution Through Innovation and Efficiency

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

The Expo Exchange

Greater Columbus Convention Center, Union Station Ballroom

Where conversations turn into collaborations. This end-of-day unwind is your chance to trade ideas, share challenges and pick up fresh insights from fellow foodservice pros—all in the energetic setting of the expo floor. Grab a refresher and get ready for new connections that could change everything.

7:00 AM – 7:45 AM

Networking Breakfast

Greater Columbus Convention Center, Union Station Ballroom Foyer

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

General Session

Greater Columbus Convention Center, Union Station Ballroom

Creating a culture of innovation – practical tools to build a culture of creativity, ingenuity and determination

With AI and other disruptive changes as the new constant, fostering an innovation culture is mission-critical to stay ahead. The catch is, our natural human inclination is to resist any change, seeking comfort in the security of familiar routines. 

Sterling Hawkins offers a fresh perspective on innovation built on launching, investing, and growing over 50 startups. He shares a science-backed approach to breakthrough innovation by coming from a place of curiosity, not certainty. To achieve the impact we desire in our businesses, communities and families, we need a complete perspective overhaul. 

Learn Sterling’s holistic approach for cultivating a culture of creativity, ingenuity, and determination across all areas of an organization. This keynote goes deeper than a motivational talk: it’s a transformative experience that shows you how to innovate and create from true inspiration.

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM

Workshops

View workshop details here.

• Operations Share Group
• Transportation Share Group
• HR Talent Share Group
• Safety Share Group

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Morning Refreshment Break

Grab a coffee and stretch your legs. This the best time to take a few moments to connect with fellow attendees and trade early impressions and swap ideas. Next starts here—with fresh thinking and fresh coffee.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Workshops

View workshop details here.

• From Boomers to Zoomers: How to Win Trucking’s Talent Tug-of-War
• Metrics Drive Behavior: What are the Right Metrics?
• Insurance Cost Workshop for Foodservice Distribution
• Attracting, Developing and Retaining Top Talent

11:30 AM -2:30 PM

Lunch

Expo Floor

Explore Columbus Culinary Scene. Enjoy the best that Columbus has to offer when you get to choose your own adventure for lunch. Instead of the usual conference fare, we’re giving you the freedom to explore an array of restaurants from Columbus’s vibrant restaurant scene.

11:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Discovery Zone Express Talks

View Express Talk details here.

• Ergonomic Solutions to Protect Drivers and Boost Efficiency
• Leadership That Lasts: The People-First Approach to Success
• Session Title Coming Soon
• What Truck Drivers Should Know About Temperature Control
• How AI is Future-Proofing Foodservice Distribution

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Workshops

View workshop details here.

• Data-Driven Pricing: Your Key to Unlocking Hidden Profits
• AI in Warehouse Management: From Promise to Performance
• Exosuit Case Study: Deploying exosuits to improve worker well-being and improve productivity
• Bridging Strategy and Execution: Balancing Service and Cost

3:15 PM – 3:45 PM

Workshops

View workshop details here.

• Gamification Driver Safety
• IFDA Research
• Geofencing Strategies: A Roadmap to Efficiency and Security
• Cybersecurity Priorities for Your 2026 Business Roadmap

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Closing Keynote

Greater Columbus Convention Center, Union Station Ballroom

Drawing from his illustrious NFL career as a 6-time Pro Bowl center and Super Bowl XLI champion, Jeff Saturday shares powerful insights on the three pillars of championship performance: planning, practice, and execution. Through compelling stories from the trenches of professional football, Jeff reveals how authentic leadership—both from within and from others—creates the foundation for team success. Discover how the leadership principles that propelled the Indianapolis Colts to glory can transform your business team into a high-performing, championship-caliber organization.

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Solutions Celebration

Join us for one last chance to connect, celebrate, and turn new ideas into real opportunities. This is where handshakes turn into partnerships, quick chats spark big moves, and the power of people takes center stage. Grab a drink, share a laugh, and make sure you leave with more than just great insights—leave with the connections to take your business to the next level.

This isn’t just a farewell—it’s the start of what’s next!

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Facility Tour

Join us for a hands-on-look at McLane’s Lockbourne warehouse and distribution facility by adding this event to your registration. With headquarters in Temple, Texas, McLane has more than 71 distribution centers across the country, employs more than 23,000 teammates, and delivers to nearly every zip code in the US. McLane is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Learn more about this optional add-on event here.

Spots are limited – book early!