TMSA ELEVATE

June 7 - 9, 2026 | Denver, CO

Built around role-based tracks and real-world application, TMSA ELEVATE is where marketers, sellers, and company leaders at every level come to sharpen skills, expand networks, and move the industry forward.

"I was able to take all the information from all the speakers [at ELEVATE] and implement it into my business and see immediate results…I had such a great time - I felt so welcome and I felt a sense of belonging."

Roslyn Ellerbee
CEO/Founder at Express Errands & Courier

“The conference exceeded our expectations in every way. We were able to engage with attendees and gain valuable insights into their businesses. The networking opportunities were abundant, from the opening celebration to the breaks, coffee talks, and roundtable discussions. As a solution provider, we found the conference to be immensely valuable, and we're already looking forward to attending and sponsoring again next year.”

Terry Nawrot
CEO at VideoRequest

"I loved the opportunity to connect with other professionals who were interested in similar topics. I also loved how welcoming everyone was! It's never easy coming to an event alone but I had an incredible experience."

Kevin Hayes
Vice President, Sales at ContainerPort Group

A People-First Crisis Response

How New Belgium Built Resilience Through Disruption

When Hurricane Helene struck Asheville on September 27, 2024, it didn't just flood New Belgium brewery with up to six feet of water; it severed power, water, and over 400 transit routes, slashing New Belgium’s network capacity by 25%.

To bridge the massive supply gap, Tom O’Connell, New Belgium’s Chief Supply Chain Officer, spearheaded a crisis resilience strategy that prioritized coworker safety with speedy operational pivots. From streamlining the company’s SKUs to mobilizing a multi-site response, the New Belgium team demonstrated how "Human Powered Business" isn't just a tagline - it's how New Belgium continues to deliver on its promise of world-class beer and business.

From Fort Collins to New Belgium’s broader network, coworkers rallied to absorb production shifts, rebalance distribution, and keep beer flowing while Asheville recovered. The sixth-month recovery is a blueprint for how an agile leadership team, a strong distribution network, and a people-first philosophy can transform a catastrophic disaster into a foundation for long-term operational resilience.

Want to be our keynote speaker?
Bring Your AI or Tech Win to the ELEVATE Stage

We’re seeking real AI and technology stories from inside organizations. Not concepts, not vendor demos, and not future vision. We want to hear what you actually built, changed, or implemented and what happened as a result.

This keynote features leaders and practitioners who can walk us through one concrete AI or technology win. What problem were you solving. What solution did you put in place. How did it change the way your team worked. What impact did it have on speed, cost, quality, connection, or effectiveness.

Selected speakers will take the ELEVATE keynote stage to share their story in a fast-paced, high-energy format focused on real workflows and real outcomes. The audience will vote live to crown the Tech Mic Drop winner of ELEVATE 2026.

If you have a story you can show and lessons others can apply, we want to hear it. Submissions entry is now closed. Stay tuned to hear our finalists!

June 10 11:00am - 12:00pm

Economic Panel

As we enter a year of potential rebound for the transportation and logistics industry, the question looms: what will a "recovery" actually look like in 2025? In this panel, leading industry economists and experts will examine the economic indicators that signal a shift back toward growth, focusing on what lies ahead for the second half of the year.

Key topics will include:

Outlook on Freight Volumes and Rates
Global and Domestic Economic Trends
Disruptive Events and Opportunities

Agenda

We’re working hard to curate the best programming in the industry. Check back soon for more details.

*Schedule subject to change. All times in MST

1:00-7:00 p.m.

Registration

Grab your name badge, swag bag, and stop by the membership committee table if you're new or have any questions.
4:00-5:10 p.m.

Community GiveBack

Network and give back to the local community.
5:15-6:00 p.m.

Newcomers Welcome

TMSA welcomes all new attendees to attend this Newcomers Welcome to meet and greet with fellow newbies to the event, members of the TMSA Membership Committee, and your veteran buddy.
6:00-8:00 p.m.

Opening Reception

Everyone is invited to the Opening Reception for dinner, drinks, and great conversations! Get to know your fellow attendees before we kick off a full day tomorrow.

Optional Speed Networking will be from 6:00-6:30pm.

7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Registration

Stop by to grab your name badge and swag bag before heading into the conference. We'll also be available if you have any questions!
7:30-8:15 a.m.

Breakfast
8:15-8:30 a.m.

Break
8:30-8:45 a.m.

Opening Remarks
8:45-9:45 a.m.

Opening Keynote

Beyond the Buzz: The AI & Tech Moves That Actually Work

Four wins. Four bold voices. One crowd-powered champion.

We’re opening ELEVATE with a keynote that cuts through the hype and showcases what’s actually working with AI and technology in transportation and logistics today.

TMSA Executive Director Jennifer Karpus-Romain kicks things off with one candid AI/tech move that changed the game inside TMSA. Then, the real showdown begins.

Four industry pros take the stage, each sharing one proven AI or tech win in just 10 minutes, breaking down:
• the workflow they changed
• the result they achieved
• the metric that moved
• the lesson you can use immediately

No product pitches.
No buzzwords.
Just real innovation with real impact.

And the twist?

The audience votes live to crown ELEVATE’s 2026 Tech Mic Drop winner.

High energy. Practical insight. Real momentum to launch your conference experience.

This is how we start ELEVATE 2026. Don’t miss it.
9:45-10:00 a.m.

Break
10:00-10:30 a.m.

1:1 Meetings
Maximize your connections during this dedicated 1:1 meeting time. Attendees can book 10-minute meetings via the event app or arrange them directly with peers on-site.
10:30-11:15 a.m.

A People-First Crisis Response: How New Belgium Built Resilience Through Disruption

Hurricane Helene devastated New Belgium’s Asheville brewery and disrupted 25% of its network capacity. Learn how Tom O’Connell and the supply chain team mobilized a rapid, coworker-first response that kept beer moving and built a stronger, more resilient operation.

Read More About This Session
11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Case Study
12:00-1:00 p.m

Lunch Roundtables
1:00-1:15 p.m.

Break
1:15-2:15 p.m

Shipper's Panel

In this session, you’ll gain firsthand voice-of-customer insights on what truly matters to shippers, what’s shaping their decisions, and what they look for in their partners.
2:15-2:30 p.m.

Break
2:30-3:15 p.m.

Shipper Breakout Sessions
Sales and Marketing breakout sessions with the shippers from our panel.
3:15-3:30 p.m.

Break
3:30-4:15 p.m.

Breakout Sessions
- Company Leaders: Track Networking
- Sales Leaders: Track Networking
- Marketing Leaders: Track Networking
- Marketing Practitioners: Breakout Session
- Sales Practitioners: Breakout Session
4:15-4:30 p.m.

Break
5:30-5:15 p.m.

The Great Track Trivia Showdown
5:15-7:00 p.m.

Break
7:00-8:00 p.m.

Dinner
8:00-9:00 p.m.

Awards
Come celebrate our Trailblazer and Rising Star Award winners.
9:00-10:00 p.m.

Dance Party
Meet us on the dance floor!

8:00-9:00 a.m.

Breakfast & TMSA Member Meeting
9:15-10:00 a.m.

General Session
10:00 - 10:15 a.m.

Break
10:15-10:35 a.m.

Track TMSA Talks
Experience a 20 minute Power Talk in your learning track, designed to deliver one high impact idea you can apply immediately. These sessions are fast paced, practical, and built to give you a clear takeaway you can use right away.
10:35-11:00 a.m.

1:1 Meetings

Maximize your connections during this dedicated 1:1 meeting time. Attendees can book 10-minute meetings via the event app or arrange them directly with peers on-site.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Economic Panel

The Economic Outlook: What It Means for Transportation and Logistics in 2026

The Economic Panel returns to ELEVATE with Dean Croke, Lee Klaskow, and Lindsey Bur, bringing timely insight into the economic forces shaping transportation and logistics. Get a clear read on market conditions, key indicators, and the signals influencing freight demand, capacity, and business decisions.

Read More About This Session
12:00-1:00 p.m.

Lunch
1:00-1:15 p.m.

Break
1:15-1:45 p.m.

Breakout Sessions
- Company Leaders: Breakout Session
- Sales Leaders: Breakout Session
- Marketing Leaders: Breakout Session
- Marketing Practitioners: Track Networking
- Sales Practitioners: Track Networking
- HR Professionals: Track Networking
1:45-2:00 p.m.

Break
2:00-2:45 p.m.

Breakout Sessions
- Company Leaders: Hands-On Workshop Style
- Sales Leaders: Hands-On Workshop Style
- Marketing Leaders: Hands-On Workshop Style
- Marketing Practitioners: Hands-On Workshop Style
- Sales Practitioners: Hands-On Workshop Style
3:00-3:45 p.m.

Closing Keynote
3:45-4:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Eyebrow Lorem

Inspirational Speakers

View the Lineup

James T. Kirk

VP of Statistical Analysis +
Data Reconfiguration

Leonard McCoy

VP of Statistical Analysis +
Data Reconfiguration

Janice Rand

VP of Statistical Analysis +
Data Reconfiguration

Montgomery Scott

VP of Statistical Analysis +
Data Reconfiguration

For Leaders Who Can’t Afford to Stand Still

If you lead people, revenue, or strategy in transportation and logistics, ELEVATE offers industry insight that’s hard to replicate internally.

This is focused time to step out of execution mode and into strategic learning, hearing directly from shippers, economists, and industry experts, and engaging in role-based Tracks built for real-world application.

ELEVATE gives leaders space to pressure-test assumptions, sharpen decision-making, and return with clearer priorities and better questions for their teams.

Need internal approval to attend ELEVATE?

If attending ELEVATE requires budget alignment or leadership sign-off, we’ve made that conversation easier.

ELEVATE is a focused professional development experience for sales and marketing professionals across transportation and logistics. Attendees hear directly from shippers, economists, and industry experts, then apply those insights through role-based Tracks built for real-world use.

To support internal approval, we’ve created a short business-case resource you can tailor and share. It outlines why ELEVATE is a smart investment, what attendees bring back, and how the experience supports stronger skills and performance.

→ Download the “Convince Your Boss” Toolkit

Still not sure?

Just a few reasons to attend ELEVATE:

Connect with Your Commercial Community
Whether you're in sales, marketing, or leading a commercial team, ELEVATE brings together professionals from various roles across transportation and logistics. You’ll meet people who understand the work you do, and the challenges you’re solving.
Role-Based Learning You Can Use Immediately
Our structured tracks deliver practical, relevant education tailored to your exact role. You’ll walk away with playbooks and real-world strategies you can bring back and put into action right away.
A Curated, Intimate Experience Built for Real Conversation
No massive expo halls. No aimless wandering. ELEVATE is intentionally designed for meaningful interactions, quality networking, and conversations that lead to lasting relationships (and real opportunities).
First Time Attending? We’ve Got You.
From our “Buddy Program” that pairs newcomers with returning attendees, to our interactive Newcomers Reception, you'll feel welcomed, connected, and supported before you ever walk into your first session.

Invest in Yourself

Members receive discounted tickets. Interested in becoming a TMSA member? Join Now
Registering a group? Email jennifer@tmsatoday.org to receive the group discount before checking out.