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Countdown to
Jump Start 2026

The Definitive Supply Chain Intelligence Gathering

January 26 – 28, 2026 /// Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel /// Atlanta, GA

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WHAT IS JUMP START?

It’s a three-day supply chain event produced annually by SMC³ that provides the ideal environment for qualitative, valuable networking and industry education. Carriers, shippers, logistics service providers and technology providers consistently attend the winter’s definitive supply chain intelligence gathering for its unrivaled networking opportunities, top-tier presenters and timely content to kick off the new year.

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What our attendees are saying
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“I have attended many supply chain conferences over the past 30 years and SMC³ conferences always stand out among the best. They provide relevant, useful educational information and there are always many industry contacts in attendance, for countless networking opportunities. The conferences are also most entertaining and fun.” - Estes Express Lines

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“The SMC³ conferences are the best I attend all year. The concentration of carrier, 3PL and technology providers from across North America provide a unique perspective of the current transportation environment as well as what to expect in the future.” - PITT OHIO

WHY ATTEND?

 

 

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/// KEYNOTE SPEAKER ///

Peter Sheahan

Peter Sheahan

Founder & Group CEO of Karrikins Group, Innovative Business Strategist, Best-Selling Author

Having grown his own companies by accelerating the growth and transformation for clients that include: Apple; Chick-fil-A; DeBeers; and AT&T – Peter will provoke you to get bigger, by getting better! When leaders are true to their purpose, they gravitate towards doing work that matters and solving higher-order problems. The journey to get there requires that they have the courage to tell themselves the truth, take intelligent risks, and assume ownership for driving the alignment necessary to build an organization which behaves in ways worthy of its leadership position.

In being true to his own ambitions and relentless pursuit of growth, Peter has published seven books, built three global companies and delivered more than 2,500 presentations in 40+ countries. Today he is focused exclusively on inspiring leaders to do the hard work required to accelerate growth and transformation.

/// SPEAKERS ///

Jeff Berman

Peerless Media

Group News Editor

Stephanie Bixler

eShipping

Chief Technology Officer & Head of Synapsum

Daniel Curling

WWEX Group

CTO

Kevin Huntsman

Mastio & Company

President

George Lauriat

American Journal of Transportation

Editor-in-Chief

Adam Miller

Knight-Swift Transportation

CEO

Keith Prather

Armada Corporate Intelligence

Managing Director

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Cathy Roberson

Journal of Commerce

Trade Analyst

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Scott Sullivan

PITT OHIO

CIO

John Verdon

Nevoya

Co-founder & CCO

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Ben Wiesen

Carrier Logistics, Inc.

President

/// AGENDA ///

Monday, January 26
6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Registration and Guest Services

7:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Networking Breakfast 

9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Keynote Address: Peter Sheahan, Founder & Group CEO of Karrikins Group, Innovative Business Strategist, Best-Selling Author

9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Guest Event

10:15 – 11:00 a.m.

Jump Start Leadership Series 1: Visionary Voices

11:00 – 11:15 a.m.

Networking Break

11:15 – Noon

General Session 1: The State of LTL: Economic Signals and Shipper Sentiment

Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Networking Lunch

1:00 – 1:45 p.m.

Jump Start Leadership Series 2: Visionary Voices

1:45 – 2:30 p.m.

General Session 2: 2026: The Year AI Goes Full Throttle

2:30 – 3:15 p.m.

Jump Start Leadership Series 3: Visionary Voices

3:15 – 3:30 p.m.

Networking Break

3:30 – 4:15 p.m.

Breakout 1: SMC³ Product Pulse: The Road Ahead

3:30 – 4:15 p.m.

Breakout 2: ChatGPT as Your Workday Wingman: How to Start Building Your Strategy Assistant with Cary Weston of the Chat GPT Experiment

3:30 – 4:15 p.m.

Breakout 3: Reclassifying Reality: Six Months into the NMFC Shift

4:15 – 4:30 p.m.

Networking Break

4:30 – 5:15 p.m.

Breakout 4: SMC³ Product Pulse: The Road Ahead

4:30 – 5:15 p.m.

Breakout 5: Deepfakes and Freight

4:30 – 5:15 p.m.

Breakout 6: Freight Payment Modernization – Killing the Paper Trail

5:15 – 6:30 p.m.

Networking Reception

6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Registration and Guest Services

7:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Networking Breakfast 

9:00 – 9:45 a.m.

Jump Start Leadership Series 4: Visionary Voices

9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Guest Event

9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

General Session 3: 2026 Financial Outlook – Clarity, Confidence, and Momentum

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.

Networking Break

10:45 – 11:30 a.m.

Jump Start Leadership Series 5: Visionary Voices

11:30 – 12:15 p.m.

General Session 4: One Rail of a Story for the New LTL Playbook

12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

Networking Lunch

1:15 – 2:00 p.m.

Jump Start Leadership Series 6: Visionary Voices

2:00 – 2:45 p.m.

General Session 5: The Shipper Shift: What LTL Buyers Want in 2026

2:45 – 3:15 p.m.

Networking Break

3:15 – 4:00 p.m.

Breakout 7: Maximize Carrier Profitability Through Comprehensive Costing Insight

3:15 – 4:00 p.m.

Breakout 8: From EVs to Avs, are we on a road trip to trucking’s electric and autonomous future?

3:15 – 4:00 p.m.

Breakout 9: Turning Data into Dollars – New Revenue Models in LTL

4:00 – 4:15 p.m.

Networking Break

4:15 – 5:00 p.m.

Breakout 10: Forecasting the Future: AI’s New Freight Sense

4:15 – 5:00 p.m.

Breakout 11: The Mid-Market Advantage – Competing with Scale in a Consolidating Industry

4:15 – 5:00 p.m.

Breakout 12: The New Intelligence Behind Every Move

6:15 – 7:00 p.m.

Networking Reception

7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

A Night at Truist Park

7:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Registration and Guest Services

7:00 – 9:00 a.m.

Networking Breakfast

9:00 – 9:45 a.m.

General Session 6: The New 3PL Standard

9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Guest Event: Rise & Shine with SMC³

9:45 – 10:15 a.m.

General Session 7: Invisible Intelligence, Autonomous Action: Trucking’s Next Big Leap

10:15 – 10:30 a.m.

Networking Break

10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

General Session 8: AI: Cutting Through the Noise – What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Why It Matters to LTL

11:00 – 11:15 a.m.

Prize Drawings

11:15 – Noon

Networking Break

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/// NETWORKING ///

In-person relationship building is crucial to building symbiotic connections with peers. Jump Start provides you ample opportunities to interact with other supply chain professionals, whether it’s to make new business connections or to close a deal. You can take advantage of multiple networking meals, breaks and receptions throughout the day to share a meal and some good conversation.

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/// DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT ///

Take a breather from meetings and a day of learning and join us for an evening of connection, celebration, and entertainment. This event offers the perfect opportunity to unwind after a day of insights and innovation. Enjoy a gourmet meal while networking with peers who understand the complexities of logistics, procurement, and operations. The evening will feature entertainment that brings energy and fun to the room–because even the most efficient systems deserve a little downtime.

/// VENUE ///

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The Renaissance Atlanta Waverly

2450 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta GA 30339 /// 770.953.4500

Just 20 miles up the interstate from the airport and a hop, skip and a jump from Truist Park and the Battery Atlanta, the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly hotel is connected to all the city’s trendiest spots. The hotel boasts both indoor and outdoor pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center and spa, and is minutes from some of the city’s best restaurants and the Battery Atlanta – the city’s premier entertainment and dining destination.

Book Your Room

2450 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta GA 30339 /// 770.953.4500

*You must be registered for the conference to book your room at the discounted rate. The discounted hotel fee will be offered during the hotel booking process.

Flying to Atlanta

Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for SMC³.
Please click here to book your flights.

You may also call Conferences and Events® at 1.800.328.1111*
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code NM4VN

*Please note there is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.

Surrounding Accommodations

Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Galleria2815 Akers Mill Rd. SE, Atlanta GA 30339
770-984-9300 0.3 miles from venue

hilton.com

Sheraton Suites Galleria-Atlanta2844 Cobb Pkwy. SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
770-955-3900 0.5 miles from venue

marriott.com

Omni Hotel at the Battery Atlanta2625 Cir 75 Pkwy. SE, Atlanta GA 30339
678-567-7327 0.7 miles from venue

omnihotels.com
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/// PRICING /// SUPER EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ENDS OCT 5 /// PRICING /// SUPER EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ENDS OCT 5 /// PRICING /// SUPER EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ENDS OCT 5 /// PRICING /// SUPER EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ENDS OCT 5 

SUPER EARLY BIRD DEADLINE OCT. 5

SMC³ CARRIER MEMBERS

$1,295

SMC³ ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

$1,595

GENERAL

$2,695

GUEST

$495

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE NOV. 24

SMC³ CARRIER MEMBERS

$1,495

SMC³ ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

$1,795

GENERAL

$2,895

GUEST

$495

STANDARD RATE

SMC³ CARRIER MEMBERS

$1,695

SMC³ ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

$1,995

GENERAL

$3,095

GUEST

$495

BRINGING A GROUP OF FOUR OR MORE

Contact registrar Ashley Flynn at aflynn@smc3.com or 770-486-5817 for group discount information.

CANCELLATION POLICY

The conference registration, less a $105 fee, is refundable only if cancellation is submitted in writing to the registrar on or before January 1, 2026.
No refund will be issued if cancellation is received after January 1.