CX 2026 brings together the key challenges and solutions facing the business sector. The focus is on relevant content, current developments, and practical strategies across the entire supply chain. In more than 60 sessions and workshops, over 100 speakers will share their knowledge, experiences, and concrete best practices from the business and academic worlds on these 6 key topics, which the concept group has curated.
Geopolitics & Defense in SCM
Digitalization of Supply Chains
Innovation Strategies in Technology & Automation
AI & Machine Learning
Logistics Service Providers
Organizations & People
Geopolitics & Defense in SCM
Global shifts in power, war in Europe, tensions in the Indo-Pacific, as well as sanctions and export controls are noticeably altering supply chains – in terms of delivery capacity, costs, market access and compliance. This must be a boardroom topic. Top decision-makers recognize its relevance for setting the course on investments, locations, network design, and the diversification of procurement and the supplier base.
This focus area provides guidance, contextualizes developments and translates them into concrete decision-making questions: Which lines of conflict and framework conditions will prove decisive, and which options will ensure planning, resilience and competitiveness in Europe? Presentations, panel discussions and interactive formats bring together multiple perspectives from the German Armed Forces, industry and academia.
Here is what it covers in detail:
- Civil-military cooperation in defense logistics: models for day-to-day operations and emergencies.
- Dual-use innovations in the civil and military sectors: piloting in a legally compliant manner, scaling up rapidly, implementing robustly.
- China as a tech superpower: an overview and analysis of tech developments, dependencies, standards and diversification decisions.
- The global economy in 2027: scenarios, a watchlist and leading indicators for top decision-makers.
- Supply Chain Reality: October 2026 – Perspectives from industry and logistics service providers: areas for action and urgent priorities.
- SC2040: Network design in the age of AI and robotics up to the year 2040.
- Europe: Promoting prosperity in the face of geopolitical and geo-economic pressures.
Digitalization of Supply Chains
Digital transformation is a key driver of competitiveness and resilience in the supply chain. The ‘Digitalization of Supply Chains’ track examines developments across the entire value chain – from strategic direction and successful implementation through to automation and new approaches to innovation. In our sessions, companies will present their digital transformation initiatives, which are making their supply chains more transparent, more agile and, with the support of AI, more autonomous.
- Crisis as accelerator: How companies are investing strategically in digital transformation despite economic challenges and turning risks into opportunities.
- Autonomous supply chains: Digitalization and automation of planning and control – including insights into implementation, initial experiences and implications for future organizations.
- Holistic digitalization strategies: Moving away from fragmented IT architectures and silo-based decision-making towards holistic strategies that integrate process and IT.
- Co-creation & cybersecurity: Joint solution development for complex, stakeholder-driven problems, as well as cybersecurity as an indispensable foundation for digital supply chains.
AI & Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming logistics at a rapid pace. But how can this be implemented in practice – in a truly ‘hands-on’ way?
The AI & Machine Learning special feature focuses not only on the latest technological developments, but above all on the question of how companies can integrate AI effectively and successfully into their value chains. Whilst self-learning algorithms, predictive analytics and generative AI enable enormous efficiency gains, there is at the same time a certain reluctance to implement them. The reason: technological progress is advancing rapidly, yet regulatory pressure is growing – a tension that is causing many companies to hesitate.
The focus will be on the following points
- Trust, responsibility & skills: How companies in agent-based supply chains can establish the right level of trust between humans and machines, which skills will be crucial for this in future – and how training, further education, recruitment and processes must be tailored accordingly.
- Practical implementation: What requirements regarding data quality, governance and organization must be met so that industry and logistics can successfully scale up AI applications beyond pilot projects.
- Opportunities, risks & framework conditions: What efficiency potential autonomous AI systems offer in logistics, and which legal, regulatory and organizational issues companies must keep in mind.
- Technological developments: What potential artificial intelligence opens up for companies, processes and decision-making; where Explainable AI can help provide context – and what practical limitations today’s systems face.
Logistics Service Providers
Logistics service providers, especially in the maritime sector, are facing far-reaching changes. Efficiency, sustainability and resilience are crucial in order to survive in a dynamic market. Maritime logistics is considered the basis of international trade, as around 90% of global goods traffic is handled by sea. Corporate strategies will be discussed and success stories presented at BVL Supply Chain CX. Tools and projects that can make the difference in operational business round off the offer.
- Digitalization & automation: How do AI and autonomous systems increase efficiency?
- Sustainability: How do strict environmental regulations promote low-emission technologies?
- Resilience: How can supply chains withstand geopolitical and regulatory risks?
- Trade & customs: Complex regulations require adaptation strategies. What can these strategies look like?
All Sessions on Transformation of Logistics Service Providers
Organizations & People
When we reflect on the major trends facing the logistics community we have one common thread: the challenge of adapting organizations to the meet the requirements of dynamic change with speed and flexibility and yet deploy standards to the greatest possible extent. This challenge is a constant threat to organizations who will otherwise get left behind, be it in terms of technological advancements or simple competition. Our focus is on the people who we need to take along the journey and managing change to make things happen and create measurable results.
Networking
Nothing can replace face-to-face interaction. The BVL Supply Chain CX brings together everyone involved in the supply chain. Networking is therefore another key focus of the event. In addition to the breaks and opportunities to meet over lunch or at the bar, the programme offers further activities designed to facilitate getting to know one another and networking. The aim is to break down barriers, make it easier to meet participants with similar interests, and strike up conversations.
The following additional opportunities are available:
- Interactive session formats
- CX Connect Tables
- CX Networking Party
- Digital matchmaking