Supply Chain Now: The Buzz
Episode Title: What’s Next for Global Supply Chains — From AI to Manifest 2026
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Scott Lewton
Co-Host: Kevin L. Jackson
Special Guest: Pam Simon (Manifest Conference Chair, EVP Programming)

Episode Overview

This episode of “The Buzz” on Supply Chain Now digs into the future of global supply chains, exploring how AI, innovative startups, and major events like Manifest 2026 are shaping the industry. Hosts Scott Lewton and Kevin L. Jackson cover pressing challenges around tariffs and nearshoring, the continued rise of AI in logistics and e-commerce, and bring in Pam Simon for a comprehensive preview of Manifest 2026, one of the world’s leading supply chain events. The conversation balances industry news with practical anecdotes, predictions for the coming year, and shares actionable resources for supply chain professionals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Humanitarian & Resilient Supply Chains ([03:41]–[05:49])

• Highlight: Vector Global Logistics’ relief work in Jamaica (hurricane recovery), Ukraine (reconstruction), and US local aid.
• Quote: Scott shares Christy Porter’s perspective:

  “Across the world, logistics continues to prove its power to connect, rebuild, and serve. We believe that when supply chains unite, hope moves faster.” — Christy Porter ([04:22])

• Insight: Importance of leveraging vetted relief organizations for humanitarian logistics impact.

2. Major Industry Challenges: Tariffs and Trade Uncertainty ([06:51]–[08:27])

• Polling Data: 50% of manufacturers cite trade and tariffs as the biggest challenge for the next 12 months.
• Audience Insight:

  “The unpredictability is what makes this so challenging for supply chain planning. You can't lock in long-term sourcing strategies when tariff policy could change overnight… The companies with supply chain resilience built in will weather this much better...” — Veronica (audience member, [07:32])

• Panel Reflection:
  • Complexity and unpredictability in global trade drive the need for adaptive, resilient strategies and diversified sourcing.

3. Fun & Culture: Tech Memes and Early Computing Memories ([12:34]–[14:24])

• Celebrating the 55th “birthday” of the computer mouse with amusing anecdotes from all three hosts about their early interactions with computers and typing competitions.
  • Memorable Quote:

    “I can still type 90 words a minute. Yeah, I appreciate those [old typing programs].” — Pam Simon ([13:15])

  • Kevin fondly recalls his Toshiba 1100 laptop and Navy days.

4. Emerging Supply Chain Tech & Investment

Steph Curry Ventures into Supply Chain AI ([15:42]–[19:57])

• News Story: NBA star Steph Curry’s Penny Jar Capital invests $3.8M in “Burnt,” an AI startup streamlining food/seafood order entry.
• AI's Value: Automating error-prone, manual ordering for food distributors, freeing up human capacity.
• Panel Reflection:

  “People with no understanding of a specific industry think that AI can fix it. But you have to have human intelligence to guide the artificial intelligence.” — Kevin L. Jackson ([18:32]) "I love seeing more athletes diversifying… It’s good to see not just the traditional investors looking at ways to change how goods are moving around the world." — Pam Simon ([17:12])

GE Appliances: The “Zero Distance” Supply Chain ([20:05]–[22:28])

• Case Study: GE Appliances invests $3.5B since 2016 in US operations, plans $3B more to reshore manufacturing and bring production closer to customers.
• Results: Investment in real-time visibility reduced downtime from ~20% to 5%.
• Word of Caution:

  “I’m all for nearshoring and onshoring, but it’s important to stay part of the global supply chain… you need to balance.” — Kevin L. Jackson ([22:28])

The AI Arms Race in E-Commerce ([25:56]–[29:16])

• Industry Trend: AI-powered agents involved in $73B in global online sales over Thanksgiving–Cyber Monday 2025.
• Surprising Stats: 66% of Americans still haven’t used ChatGPT; 20% haven't heard of it (Pew Study).
  • Pam’s Reaction:

    “I'm pretty sure my grandma and her community have never encountered ChatGPT.” ([26:25])

  • On Tech Adoption:

    “People are scared of technology… I use AI every day for a lot of different things and it’s valuable. But the next thing is you’ll have to prove you’re a human.” — Kevin L. Jackson ([26:49])

Manifest 2026: What’s New & Why Attend? ([30:50]–[38:28])

Event Highlights

• Venue: Venetian, Las Vegas (Feb 9–11, 2026)
• New Features:
  1. Procurement Stage ([31:27])
     • Sessions from Nordstrom, Patagonia, Intel, Tealbook, others.
     • Focus: Global supply planning, risk, and AI’s role in procurement.
  2. Expanded Cold Chain Symposium ([32:05])
     • Sponsors: Lineage, Hitech (and others)
     • Big-name speakers like Merck, Sun Pharma, Americold.
     • Focus: End-to-end cold chain transparency and innovation.
  3. Revamped Hosted Shipper Program ([32:46])
     • Facilitating more peer connection and topic-driven roundtables.
     • Benefits for shippers/teams: Private meeting rooms, travel credit eligibility.
  • Quote:

    “It feels like your LinkedIn just came to life.” — Pam Simon ([31:02])

Why It Matters

• Business Impact:

  “An insane amount of business gets done at the show, whether it's new investment rounds, new partnerships, new customers… Every day I talk to somebody new that's created new business or closed a deal at Manifest.” — Pam Simon ([34:35])

• Shippers & Procurement Leaders: Targeted value through peer meetings, learning, and networking.
• Reverse Logistics Cred:

  “Pam Simon is one of [few] content leaders who recognized the importance of putting reverse logistics in their schedule; has included returns discussions since their first Manifest.” — Tony Sharota ([35:47])

Key Session Previews for Manifest 2026 ([36:24]–[38:01])

• Near-/Onshoring: Estee Lauder, New Balance, XRC Ventures, McKinsey on digital manufacturing and strategic partnerships.
• Automation/Robotics Expo: CEOs from Apptronic, Corvus Robotics, Lab Zero, Locus, and more (robotics demos featured).
• Sustainability Symposium: Alaska Airlines, IKEA, 12, and others on energy, circularity, and future materials.

Critical Industry Predictions & Takeaways ([42:20]–[46:58])

• Pam Simon’s 2026 Predictions:
  • Greater cross-industry collaboration on sourcing/manufacturing in response to turmoil.
  • “Real-time visibility is no longer a differentiator—it's table stakes… Systems that can autonomously adapt will become competitive, mandatory rather than optional.” ([42:20])
• Kevin L. Jackson’s 2026 Predictions:
  • “The meteoric rise of AI in everything… but what’s next is agentic AI—your own AI agents out in the world, automatically collaborating, negotiating, and improving workflows via smart contracts.” ([44:19])
• Scott Lewton: “[2026 will bring] lots of complexity, lots of pain, but a great time to be in global supply chain — because solving those challenges unlocks career opportunity.” ([45:53])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On AI Without Industry Insight:

  “You have to have human intelligence to guide the artificial intelligence.” — Kevin L. Jackson ([18:32])

• On E-Commerce & AI Overload:

  “As soon as you hear the computer start talking...I want a human.” — Kevin L. Jackson ([28:39])

• Manifest in 5 Words or Less:

  “It feels like your LinkedIn just came to life.” — Pam Simon ([31:02])

• On Sustainable Tech:

  “4% of all US electricity in 2024 went to data centers… projections could reach 10% by 2030.” — Scott Lewton ([39:27])

• Key Takeaway From The Buzz:

  “Having your LinkedIn come to life at Manifest.” — Kevin L. Jackson ([46:58])

Important Timestamps

• [03:41] Humanitarian supply chain efforts & Christy Porter’s quote
• [07:32] Audience polling on tariffs
• [13:15] Early tech memories—typing competitions, Oregon Trail
• [15:42] Steph Curry’s AI supply chain startup investment
• [20:05] GE Appliances’ zero distance initiative
• [25:56] The AI e-commerce arms race and surprising adoption stats
• [30:50] Manifest 2026 preview
• [31:27] Manifest’s new procurement stage
• [32:05] Cold chain programming revelations
• [42:20] 2026 trends and bold predictions

How to Engage

• Register for Manifest 2026: [Manifest registration page link shared on episode]
• Connect with Guests: LinkedIn links provided for Pam Simon and Kevin L. Jackson during live chat.
• Extra Resources: Listeners encouraged to try AI tools, take assessments at SPS Commerce, and download OMP’s new AI planning ebook.

Final Takeaways

• The “table stakes” for successful supply chains have shifted: Real-time visibility, agentic AI, and dynamic collaboration are the new must-haves.
• Supply chain professionals should embrace experimentation with AI to future-proof their skillset and business.
• Don’t underestimate the power of connection—bring your “LinkedIn to life” at major events like Manifest.
• Stay balanced amid trade, tech, and sustainability headwinds: resilience is found in adaptability and strategic partnerships.
• As technology accelerates, human wisdom—empathy, experience, and creative problem-solving—remain indispensable.

For more insights, panelist connections, and episode resources, visit Supply Chain Now and subscribe for weekly episodes.