MAR

12

3:00 – 4:00 PM ET

Industry Trends & Market Outlook

Joe Calvello will present an in-depth analysis of emerging industry trends and critical market developments. The presentation will cover:

• Comprehensive analysis of key operational metrics including sales, orders, backlog levels, and inventory dynamics
• Vertical market insights across major end markets
• Updated 2026 outlook and strategic implications for the year ahead

Joe Calvello is Chief Information Officer and Senior Analyst at Edgewater Research. He has provided in-depth, differentiated economic and industry-specific research for over 15 years. Joe is recognized for developing innovative industry and financial benchmarking programs that help association members make better operational and strategic decisions.

Register Here

APR

16

3:00 – 4:00 PM ET

AI in Distribution: What Actually Matters

AI is moving fast—and distributors are under pressure to figure out where it fits. But what’s actually worth your time (and budget), and what’s just noise?

In this interactive session, Proton CEO Benj Cohen will break down:

• What AI is good at today and where it still falls short, with examples of distributors already using AI across sales, marketing, operations, product, and pricing
• A simple framework for evaluating AI use cases so you can prioritize what will drive real ROI

This session will give you a clear-eyed view of where AI makes sense for your business and a practical starting point for putting it to work.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the current state of AI
• Distinguish what AI can do well today, where it falls short, and what’s coming next
• Recognize high-impact applications of AI in distribution
• Prioritize where to start within your organization
• Leave with practical AI tools and prompts for sales, marketing, operations, and pricing

Register HereBenj Cohen is the founder and CEO of Proton.ai, the leading AI-powered sales platform for distributors. His mission is to help distributors sell smarter and grow faster. Benj’s journey started at Benco Dental, his family’s distribution business founded in 1930.

A recognized voice on AI and modern sales in distribution, Benj has been featured in MDM, DSG, and Industrial Supply Magazine. In 2022, his company secured a $20 million Series A led by Felicis Ventures. The following year, he became the first leader in distribution to earn a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30.