Join Us for Our Annual Rendezvous

LIDD Rendezvous 2026
September 30th to October 1st in Montreal

LIDD’s Annual Rendezvous

Rendezvous brings together our staff, clients, and partners from many industries and across LIDD’s work in supply chain strategy, design, and technology. This cross-pollination is deliberate – by sharing stories with people working in varying realms, we hope to spur new ideas and connections.

When: 30 September – 1 October 2026
Where: Montreal Marriott Chateau Champlain

2025 Recap Video

About the Sessions

Our program is being developed to cover the full scope of modern supply chain infrastructure, from warehouse design and layout to technology implementation and program management.

We’ll focus on current market conditions and the impact of the latest technology advancements and trends, including areas like AI and automation. Expect to gain actionable insights from leading keynote speakers and practical knowledge as peers and partners share their project journeys, offering invaluable takeaways.

Stay tuned – full details will be shared with registered attendees by email.

Hotel Booking

LIDD has reserved a room block at the Montreal Marriott Chateau Champlain available from September 30th to October 1st.

A unique booking passkey will be provided for those looking to book at the hotel. Please contact us directly for more information here.

Sponsors

Montreal in Fall

  1. Expect variable weather in Montreal this month, with crisp days and cooler nights. Pack layers, including long sleeves, sweaters, and a rain jacket.
  2. Use this time in Montreal to connect face-to-face with colleagues. You’ll have many opportunities to catch-up in person through engaging learning sessions and while exploring the city’s charm.
  3. Not sure what to do? Checkout a few recommendations from the team via the link below
LIDD's Guide To Montreal

Wednesday, September 30th Agenda

Time Room Activity
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM Champlain Ballroom

The Beer Game

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A fast-paced role-playing simulation where you and your teammates will take the reins of a fast-moving distribution pipeline. The mission? Keep the customers happy, avoid massive warehouse backlogs, and protect your bottom line.

Emilio Colangelo

Partner, LIDD

Emilio Colangelo is a Partner based in LIDD’s Montreal office and a leader in LIDD’s supply chain planning practice. He is responsible for developing integrated supply chain strategies, managing client relationships, and overseeing the work of LIDD employees dedicated to configuration, implementation, and integration of complex planning tools. Since joining LIDD in 2016, Emilio has worked with leading US & Canadian companies in the Food & Beverage, eCommerce, Publishing, Manufacturing and 3PL Logistics industries. His consulting experience spans a wide range of mandates including physical infrastructure design, supply chain software selection & implementation, and S&OP process design. Emilio’s attention to detail and his multi-practice consulting background have repeatedly helped clients achieve meaningful operations transformations. His ability to build close relationships within client organizations from executive leadership to front-line management has been proven at multinationals and quickly growing start-ups. As a director, Emilio leverages his experience to engineer processes and develop fine-tuned NetSuite solutions to align clients’ operations with their vision. Emilio holds a B.Eng. in Industrial Engineering from Concordia University. In addition to his experience at LIDD, Emilio worked at one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies and for a Big4 consulting firm.

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5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Montreal Room

Welcome Cocktail Reception

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM TBA

Dinner

Thursday, October 1st Agenda

Time Room Activity
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Champlain Foyer

Breakfast

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM Champlain Ballroom

Opening Remarks

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Charles Fallon

President, LIDD

Charles has been working as a supply chain consultant since 1998. He has worked with clients at all levels of the supply chain, from manufacturers to retailers, in a wide array of industries including food, pharmaceuticals, garments and construction materials. He has extensive experience in supply chain strategy, technology, facility design & implementation and operations. Charles holds a bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering from McGill University in Montreal.

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9:15 AM - 9:45 AM Champlain Ballroom

Turning AI Into ROI: How To Drive Smarter Finance and Operations

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“AI is everywhere, but most organizations are still figuring out how to apply it in ways that drive real business impact. This session cuts through the noise to show how NetSuite embeds AI directly into ERP workflows to improve efficiency, accelerate decision-making, and reduce manual effort across finance and operations.

You’ll get a clear view of NetSuite’s AI strategy, what capabilities are available today, and what’s coming next, along with practical examples of how to put AI to work using tools like the NetSuite AI Connector. Expect a grounded, real-world perspective focused on outcomes, not theory.

What attendees will walk away with:

– A clear understanding of where AI fits within NetSuite, and where it delivers immediate value
– Insight into embedded AI capabilities available today and on the roadmap
– Practical examples of how to apply AI features to real business workflows
– A more confident point of view on how to move from AI exploration to execution”

Joe Friedman

Senior Director of AI Innovation, NetSuite

14 years at NetSuite. CPA. Three-time Worldwide Solution Consultant of the Year. Chief of Staff to Evan Goldberg and Jim McGeever. Drove the design and development of the Advanced Revenue Management module. Now leading AI Innovation. Today Joe's focus is practical AI adoption across the NetSuite ecosystem. He builds with Claude, ChatGPT, and the NetSuite AI Connector daily. Joe's CPA background means he can think about AI through the lens of finance, operations, and business outcomes.

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9:45 AM - 10:00 AM

Transition

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Champlain Ballroom

Single Source of Truth: Building a Data Foundation Your Whole Organization Trusts

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Most data analytics projects fail because siloed reporting breeds conflicting metrics and zero user trust. In this session, Mat, Yves & Benoit draw from their insights to prove that a successful deployment requires looking past the final Power BI dashboard and focusing on the foundation. They will share practical strategies to align business KPIs with robust technical infrastructure, establish strict data governance, and secure long-term user adoption. What you can expect to learn:Centralized Truth vs. Flexibility: How to centralize core calculations while maintaining secure, department-specific reporting access. Governance & Quality Control: Strategies to audit report relevance and fix underlying process gaps to eliminate bad data. Driving Active User Adoption: Implementation steps to build immediate trust so dashboards actively guide day-to-day business decisions.

Mathieu Galipeau

Partner, LIDD

Mathieu integrates distribution technologies and optimizes supply chain infrastructure for clients across different industries. He has successfully managed more than 15 business software solution projects, that focuses on systems such as: Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). Mathieu is a graduate from École de Technologie Supérieure de Montréal (ETS) with a degree in Operations and Logistics Engineering.

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Yves Galarneau

Advisor, Business Analytics, LIDD

Acting as an Advisor for LIDD’s Business Analytics practice, Yves assists the Business analytics team through his background as a CPA and as a CFO of small/medium size companies. Yves advises the data analytics technical team in designing relevant useful information to boost client efficiency and strengthen decision making.

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Benoit Galarneau

Advisor, Business Analytics, LIDD

Benoit Galarneau is a senior healthcare technology leader with more than 15 years of experience bridging innovation, market analytics, strategic thinking, and software architecture. Acting as a Business Analytics Advisor at LIDD, he drives data informed strategy, executive level reporting, and operational insights that support growth. His background spans senior leadership roles in product management, global marketing, R&D, and sales operations. Benoit holds advanced qualifications in business analytics from Harvard Business School, complemented by graduate studies in technology.

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Samuel A

Keeping Up With Capacity: Inside SGC’s User Journey of Network Expansion

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Marc Ménard

Managing Director, LIDD

Marc Ménard is a Managing Director in LIDD’s Design & Strategy practice. Based in the firm’s Montreal office, he leads teams of analysts and designers in the conception and implementation of distribution solutions that enable profit efficient multichannel operations. He advises LIDD’s clients in the development of strategies and roadmaps for the continuous improvement of their supply chain infrastructure. Since joining LIDD in 2017, Marc has been involved in projects across a variety of industries, notably in the Food & Beverage, Apparel, Retail & eCommerce, and Sports sectors. His work focuses on network optimization and the design and implementation of distribution centers, including MHE and automation technology and equipment. Through a keen sense for practical solutions, Marc helps LIDD clients develop retail and eCommerce capital efficient distribution infrastructure. Marc holds a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering from Concordia University.

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Samuel B

The Planning Pilot: How a Controlled Test Builds the Case for Change

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“Most organizations know their planning parameters need to change but struggle to get the organization to act. In this session, Orgain’s Sr. Director of Demand Planning, Luis Amaya, and LIDD Partner, Emilio Colangelo, walk through a live planning pilot designed to answer a deceptively simple question: what happens when you reduce safety stock on a targeted group of SKUs?
Using Kinaxis Maestro, the team selected a tight control group, adjusted safety stock levels, and monitored service level performance over a defined period. The session covers how the pilot was structured, what the data revealed, and how the results are being used to drive broader change management across Orgain’s planning organization. Whether you’re trying to right-size inventory, challenge legacy planning assumptions, or simply build internal credibility for a new way of working, this session offers a practical, repeatable framework you can take home.”

Emilio Colangelo

Partner, LIDD

Emilio Colangelo is a Partner based in LIDD’s Montreal office and a leader in LIDD’s supply chain planning practice. He is responsible for developing integrated supply chain strategies, managing client relationships, and overseeing the work of LIDD employees dedicated to configuration, implementation, and integration of complex planning tools. Since joining LIDD in 2016, Emilio has worked with leading US & Canadian companies in the Food & Beverage, eCommerce, Publishing, Manufacturing and 3PL Logistics industries. His consulting experience spans a wide range of mandates including physical infrastructure design, supply chain software selection & implementation, and S&OP process design. Emilio’s attention to detail and his multi-practice consulting background have repeatedly helped clients achieve meaningful operations transformations. His ability to build close relationships within client organizations from executive leadership to front-line management has been proven at multinationals and quickly growing start-ups. As a director, Emilio leverages his experience to engineer processes and develop fine-tuned NetSuite solutions to align clients’ operations with their vision. Emilio holds a B.Eng. in Industrial Engineering from Concordia University. In addition to his experience at LIDD, Emilio worked at one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies and for a Big4 consulting firm.

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Samuel C

Scaling Service Without Losing Touch: Practical Applications of AI In Supply Chain

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Alexander Sbaite

Managing Director, LIDD

Alexander has over 25 years of experience in various operational and technology management roles, including sales, supply chain management, consulting, project management, solutions architecture, and implementation. Throughout his career, he has worked in several countries and industries such as CPGs, manufacturing, wholesale, and retail distribution. By combining his in-depth knowledge of technologies with his interdisciplinary experience, Alexander can advise and accompany companies throughout their digital transformation process, from analysis to implementation, adoption and change management. Alex holds a PhD degree in Software Engineering from Potsdam University in Berlin, Germany.

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10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Transition

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Champlain Ballroom

From Proof of Concept to Production: Making AI Stick in Operations

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AI is everywhere in supply chain conversations, but the gap between enthusiasm and operational reality is wide. This panel brings together perspectives from a strategist, a technologist, and an investor to cut through the noise: what AI is actually delivering on today, where companies are getting stuck, and what separates the organizations making it work from those still running pilots two years in. Expect direct answers, real examples, and a candid look at the hard parts no one talks about enough.

David Beaudet

Chief Experience Officer, LIDD

David has worked on a wide range of logistics mandates across North America since 2004. He has been involved in network design, warehouse design and expansion, process re-engineering and the selection of warehouse management systems. His experience lies within all segments of the food industry, pharmaceuticals as well as industrial distribution. David holds a master’s degree in Logistics from HEC Montréal.

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Ghislain Gagné

CEO, AI Startup

Ghislain has 20 years of experience driving business value with analytics. Previously a Partner at McKinsey & Co., he led QuantumBlack's AI and Digital Twin practice across Canada, overseeing the end-to-end development of AI programs delivering over $100M in business value across airlines, aerospace OEMs, telecom, and rail. He is now the founder and CEO of StratosX, an AI company building agent-based software for real-time operational decision-making.

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Sean Duckett

Senior Investment Director | AI Adoption & GMT Strategy, Scale AI

Sean's background is in enterprise Sales & GTM leadership and revenue operations. 15+ years in quota-carrying and revenue leadership roles at Salesforce and Postmedia. As an RVP he owned deal review, commercial structuring, pricing approvals, weekly forecast cadence, AE coaching, etc. As an AE I he structured and closed complex multi-cloud deals through long contracting cycles across various industries and lines of business, coordinating multi-threaded customer engagement, SI partners, and internal teams ex. solutions, deal desk, legal, etc.

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Farid Mheir

Partner, fmcs.digital

Farid Mheir, M.Sc.A., P.Eng., is an engineer with 35 years of experience in the tech sector. An entrepreneur at heart, he launched Quebec's very first e-commerce website in 1996. Since then, he has helped around a hundred companies ranging from small startups to large organizations integrate technology into their workflows. He recently published the book AI MINDSETS, which he uses to guide executives looking to leverage artificial intelligence within their businesses. He has deep expertise in professional services, retail, financial services, and telecommunications. Farid also teaches at McGill University and regularly delivers lectures and workshops.

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Samuel A

Stabilizing the Supply Chain Under Pressure: Practical Levers to Reduce Risk

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This session breaks down the operational vulnerabilities that drive instability across sourcing, inventory velocity, and space utilization. Using real‑world lessons from fast‑moving retail environments, Jen and Jeff explore practical actions leaders can take to reduce exposure, strengthen flow, and build a supply chain that stays steady even as volatility accelerates.

Jennifer Hall

Partner, LIDD

Jennifer Hall is a Partner at LIDD and leads its Consulting Practice. With over a decade of experience advising boards and executives, she leads large-scale supply chain transformation initiatives involving multimillion-dollar investment decisions. Jennifer began her career designing warehouses and has since guided clients through network expansions, market entry strategies, and the selection and implementation of new technologies and automation. She has executed numerous operational and digital transformations, with a strong focus on the food & beverage, and consumer goods sectors. Her achievements include redesigning distribution networks for multinational CPG companies, pioneering a new sales channel for a leading grocery chain, and playing a key role in establishing LIDD’s international presence. Jennifer holds a degree in Civil Engineering from McGill University.

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Jeff Snow

Director of Distribution

Jeff Snow is a senior operations and supply chain leader with nearly two decades of experience driving performance across distribution, logistics, retail operations, procurement, and customer fulfillment. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale operational teams, managed complex supply chain networks, and played key roles in major business transformation initiatives, including ERP and warehouse management system implementations. Jeff holds an MBA from the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University and is passionate about leadership, continuous improvement, and delivering practical solutions that create measurable business results. He is also an active community volunteer and youth sports coach, supporting the development of young athletes in hockey and baseball.

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Samuel B

The Power of the Right Fit: How ProKontrol Built a Scalable Digital Foundation

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Romain Pietkowicz

Director, LIDD

Romain Pietkowicz is a Director in LIDD’s Business Central practice. He specializes in the implementation and support of business solutions leveraged by distributors, manufacturers, and retailers. His deep knowledge of Business Central and his capacity to rigorously identify and assess the client’s technical and operational requirements have made him an important asset for the firm’s clients who seek to integrate an external Warehouse Management System with their ERP. Romain holds a degree in Civil Engineering from McGill University.

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Alex Moreau

Senior Solutions Consultant, LIDD

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11:45 AM - 1:00 PM Champlain Ballroom

Lunch & Sponsor Showcase

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM Champlain Ballroom

How Shady Rays Shipped 30K Orders in 48 Hours

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“When Shady Rays scaled their operations, they needed a transition with zero downtime. LIDD managed this by implementing NetSuite ERP and ShipHawk TMS simultaneously, ensuring that the moment the systems went live, the fulfillment engine was already running at full speed.

The result? A stress-free transition that allowed them to ship 30,000 orders in the first 48 hours without a hitch.

In this session, Ben and Derrick dive into the details of this project, focusing on how the TMS integration powered this rapid growth.You’ll learn how we approached the project:

Dual Implementation: The strategy behind deploying a new ERP and TMS at the same time.

Seamless Integration: How the NetSuite-to-ShipHawk connection creates real-time visibility.

Day-One Velocity: How Shady Rays maintained peak fulfillment volume during a total system overhaul.”

Ben Vanderbeek

Partner, LIDD

Ben has more than 10 years of experience in leading technology teams, with numerous implementations and integrations of NetSuite Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software within distribution, ecommerce, and manufacturing industries. He leads the ERP practice at LIDD, including projects to implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central ERP, and integrate with the Generix Solochain Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and Warehouse Management System (WMS). Ben holds a BS in Computer Science from California State University Long Beach and has earned certifications as a NetSuite Administrator and a NetSuite ERP Consultant.

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1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

Transition

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM Champlain Ballroom

The Struggle Is Real: The Difference Between Projects That Thrive Or Trudge

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Melanie Charles

Managing Director, LIDD

Leader in LIDD's Warehouse Technology practice with success leading teams across multiple industries, including aerospace, grocery, heavy industrial, and more.

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Mark Moore

President, CMC Design-Build

Mark Moore has been President and CEO of CMC Design Build since 1993, leading the company in designing and building food and beverage processing and distribution facilities nationwide. CMC’s services aim to optimize facility construction and operation costs, including distribution network analysis, systems design, site selection, labor studies, utility efficiency, and food safety protocols. Moore also has operational experience in third-party food distribution, managing over one million square feet of facilities in the New York area. He holds a BA in Economics from Tufts University, enhancing his extensive industry expertise.

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Bill Conrad

CFO, StratosX

Bill Conrad is a seasoned executive and financial strategist with over four decades of experience driving growth across the foodservice, corporate finance, and healthcare sectors. He currently serves as the CFO for StratosX, Inc., a startup company that is focused on using AI to assist commercial airline companies minimize costs of disruption. Previously, Bill led $330MM Prime Source Foods through the development and transition to 100,000+ square foot facility while implementing new ERP and WMS systems. He spent nearly two decades managing mergers and acquisitions at Baldwin & Clarke, and served as CFO for The Courville Companies. His professional background is supported by an M.S. in Finance from Bentley University, foundational experience as a CPA and Accredited Senior Appraiser, and over thirty years of community board service for organizations like Waypoint, NH.

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Shavrina Coorjee

Director Supply Chain, Procurement and Planning, Mailhot Industries

Strategic and empathetic Production Planning & Sourcing Leader with a proven track record in fast-paced, multi-site environments. Shavrina optimizes global supply chains by aligning procurement with Master Planning, driving cost reduction initiatives, and building high-trust vendor relationships. Data-driven and proactive, she leads cross-functional teams and negotiate contracts through a collaborative, win-win approach to maximize operational efficiency.

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Samuel A

When Racking Is More Than Storage: Lessons Learned From Racking Design

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Gilles Ducharme

President, Structurack

Gilles has accumulated nearly 40 years of experience in logistics, – mainly in designing storage systems. He is now President and Head of Business Development at Structurack, a professional team dedicated to manufacturing compliant and effective storage systems.

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Christophe Deschang

Christophe Deschang is Senior Director, Logistics for North America at Keurig Dr Pepper and a recognized leader in logistics transformation. With more than 20 years of experience, he has led major network optimization, automation, warehousing, transportation, and supply chain integration initiatives that have improved service, productivity, and operational performance at scale. Holding an MBA, Christophe is passionate about driving business growth through innovation, continuous improvement, and end-to-end supply chain transformation.

Samuel B

Integrating Warehouse Automation Without Disruption

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Jean-Philippe Lacroix

Managing Director, LIDD

Jean-Philippe has led several WMS implementation projects at meal solution and food production companies. His experience involves designing physical and systematic work flows and integrating new automated manufacturing solutions. Jean-Philippe graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering from Polytechnique de Montreal.

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Samuel C

Building Your First AI Agent: An Interactive Workshop

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Mathieu Galipeau

Partner, LIDD

Mathieu integrates distribution technologies and optimizes supply chain infrastructure for clients across different industries. He has successfully managed more than 15 business software solution projects, that focuses on systems such as: Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). Mathieu is a graduate from École de Technologie Supérieure de Montréal (ETS) with a degree in Operations and Logistics Engineering.

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Simon Dubuc

Director, LIDD

Simon is a Managing Director at LIDD, where he leads the firm's Digital Transformation Advisory practice. He specializes in creating tailored technology roadmaps that align with client needs and deliver measurable results. With a deep understanding of business operations, Simon excels at translating complex challenges into effective software solutions. From initial consultation and requirements gathering to implementation, training, and ongoing support, he ensures smooth transitions and helps clients fully leverage their technology investments. Simon’s expertise spans platforms such as Enterprise Resource Planning, Warehouse Management Systems, Transportation Management Systems, and Customer Relationship Management Systems. He holds a B.Eng. in Industrial Engineering from Polytechnique Montreal and is based in LIDD’s Montreal office.

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2:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Transition

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Champlain Ballroom

TBD

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM Champlain Ballroom

Closing Remarks

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David Beaudet

Chief Experience Officer, LIDD

David has worked on a wide range of logistics mandates across North America since 2004. He has been involved in network design, warehouse design and expansion, process re-engineering and the selection of warehouse management systems. His experience lies within all segments of the food industry, pharmaceuticals as well as industrial distribution. David holds a master’s degree in Logistics from HEC Montréal.

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4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Break

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Les Enfants Terribles

Dinner Reception

A unique blend of a French brasserie and a modern American eatery, serving up elevated comfort food.

Location: 3 Pl. Ville-Marie, Montréal, QC H3B 4W8

Why attend?

  1. Discover new solutions: Learn about and debate the best ways to make smart investments in supply chain infrastructure.
  2. Learn from experts: Gain applicable insights on lessons learned as speakers share their experiences and success stories.
  3. Connect with like-minded peers: Network with professionals from a wide range of industries and specialties.
Reserve Your Ticket
a view of a warehouse rack with parcels on the bin with a forklift in focus carrying a box

Sneak peek.

Montreal, the largest city in the province of Quebec, is a vibrant metropolis located in southwestern Quebec on Île de Montreal. It sits at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. Founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie, it was later named after Mount Royal, the triple-peaked hill around which the early settlement was built. As Canada’s second-largest city, Montreal is a major industrial, commercial, and financial hub, as well as a center of francophone culture in North America. It enjoys international acclaim and is one of the world’s great cities. Fun fact: Montreal is the second-largest French-speaking city globally, after Paris. See you in Montreal!

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