CHAINge 2026 Proves People Drive Supply Chain Success

By ASCM CEO Abe Eshkenazi, CSCP, CPA, CAE

We just wrapped up CHAINge 2026, and I keep thinking about one resounding takeaway: Technology is a powerful accelerator, but the human element is irreplaceable. Across every keynote, educational session and informal conversation, that message remained constant. We can deploy the most advanced systems, but peak performance requires people to innovate, collaborate and lead with conviction. 

The human-centered perspective was front and center during our opening general session. Conference Chair Nick Vyas set the tone: “We’re at an inflection point of global trade — from shifting U.S.-China dynamics to rerouted shipping lanes to rising fuel costs. ... But even amid this unprecedented geopolitical friction, technology is only an enabler; it’s not a strategy. Humans play the most critical role.” 

Nowhere is geopolitical friction more apparent than in trade compliance. As Baker Tilly’s tariff expert Tosca Derrick observed, “The average duty rate used to hover around 4% — some industries were even at 0%. And now we’re at 145% … 600%. Brokers are struggling to keep up, especially when the headlines are changing every day.”  

Of course, navigating swift market shifts takes more than automated systems and digital tools; as Oracle’s Gerald Jackson emphasized, the key is relational practices built on trust and shared commitment. And Mark Price, faculty lead at the University of St. Thomas, brought it home, stressing that automation should ultimately lift workers into more impactful roles: “Get high-value people doing high-value work,” he urged. “They want to make a difference.” 

These insights are just a small sample of what made CHAINge 2026 so remarkable. Hearing directly from such an outstanding lineup of industry visionaries was an incredible highlight — and all of us in Long Beach were fortunate to tap into their deep expertise and strategic foresight. 

Honors recognize outstanding human-centric innovation 

Beyond the educational sessions, the focus on human impact was also celebrated through our newly revamped ASCM Awards of Excellence. Grounded in the Supply Chain Operations Reference Digital Standard (SCOR DS), these awards honor the extraordinary teams and practitioners driving resilience and sustainability across our industry. 

In the corporate categories, Delta Electronics (Australia) was recognized for embedding SCOR into its network to automate emissions tracking and establish a carbon metric hub. Next, IDEX Corp. was honored for building a SCOR-aligned operating model across its entire value stream. And the team at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions used SCOR to build a transformational AI-powered supplier viability platform. For our individual winners, it was clear how just one person can inspire broad organizational change: Sagar Gaikwad of NTT Data Business Solutions received the Supply Chain Performance Champion award for his impressive SCOR-based solutions, and Geethapriya Kumaraguru of MOD Pizza was named Sustainability Champion for her dedication to ethical and responsible supply chains. 

It was an extraordinary time of learning, connection and shared purpose that will continue to resonate well into the future. CHAINge 2026 truly celebrated the people moving our industry forward. Don’t miss our next chapter — the whole ASCM team looks forward to seeing you at CHAINge 2027 in Orlando!