The University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics welcomed industry leaders, students and alumni to the 16th annual Supply Chain Forum on March 24, 2026, bringing together voices from across manufacturing, logistics, technology and consumer industries to discuss the future of global supply chains.
Hosted by Gatton College’s Master of Science in Supply Chain Management program, this year’s forum centered on the theme “Commanding the Moment: Creating Calm from Chaos,” reflecting the realities of an industry increasingly shaped by disruption, rapid technological change and global uncertainty.
Approximately 120 attendees participated in the event, which featured presentations, panel discussions, mentoring sessions and networking opportunities with executives from companies including 3M, GE Appliances, Procter & Gamble, Owens Corning, SAS, Toyota, Divert Inc., OMP and BlueWorld Supply Chain Consulting.
For Carol Chavez, lecturer and associate director of supply chain outreach and corporate engagement at the Gatton College and director of the Supply Chain Forum, the event’s longevity comes from maintaining a strong focus on student engagement and industry relevance.
“Our forum remains dedicated to its founding mission of fostering meaningful connections between students and industry,” Chavez said. “By keeping it small and engaging, we ensure participants can interact easily, and we regularly update the content to match the latest trends in supply chain operations.”
Throughout the day, speakers discussed topics ranging from industrial operations and consumer supply networks to artificial intelligence, leadership and resilience in times of disruption. While technology and adaptability emerged as recurring themes, Chavez said many conversations ultimately centered on leadership and people.
“Our speakers and panelists consistently talked about taking care of their people, empowering them to make changes, encouraging them to learn through failure and reinforcing that our people are assets to be invested in and not commodities to be traded,” Chavez said.
Another common message focused on leadership during uncertainty.
“Supply chain professionals cannot avoid chaos,” Chavez said. “We need to steer through it with assurance and understanding.”
The forum emphasized experiential learning and career development for students in Gatton’s Master of Science in Supply Chain program. Dedicated mentoring and coaching sessions allowed students to engage directly with professionals about career pathways, workplace expectations and leadership development.
For Christabel Ndwiga, an international student from Kenya pursuing a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management, the forum provided valuable exposure to global industry perspectives.
“Sharing a floor with industry leaders in global supply chains and manufacturing is an opportunity I could not pass up,” Ndwiga said. “Hearing and learning firsthand from these professionals draws one’s attention to real-life problems existing in the industry.”
Ndwiga said interacting with U.S.-based companies also helped provide insight into how organizations respond to large-scale disruptions and operational challenges.
“I learned more about chaos from the forum than from anywhere else,” Ndwiga said. “Now I know that being prepared can’t cushion a company from the next disaster, and that even a good supply chain is one disaster away from an ‘apocalypse.’”
Gabrielle Hayes, a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management student, said the event helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
“I feel like throughout the various supply chain management courses I have taken I have become extremely ‘book smart’ about the industry,” Hayes said. “But being able to interact one on one with supply chain professionals and listen to the presentations, I feel like I got more insight on the ‘street smart’ aspect of the industry and careers.”
Hayes also highlighted the accessibility and enthusiasm of the professionals attending the event.
“Everyone that I was able to talk to one on one was so nice and easy to talk to and gave me such great advice,” said Hayes. “They all genuinely seemed to be excited talking to the students and helping to prepare us for our future careers.”
One presentation that resonated with Hayes came from leadership speaker Wolfgang Trampe, who discussed the importance of remaining calm amid disruption and uncertainty.
“He gave such a unique perspective on the forum’s theme of creating calm from chaos,” Hayes said.
According to Chavez, those kinds of conversations are what make the forum impactful.
“The Supply Chain Forum connects the classroom to reality,” she said. “Students see the breadth of supply chain roles and hear real career paths, not just ideal ones.”
The event is also part of a broader experiential learning ecosystem within Gatton College’s supply chain programs, which includes facility tours, guest lectures, company-sponsored events and real-world capstone projects.
As supply chains continue evolving alongside advances in artificial intelligence, global trade and risk management, Chavez said the forum will continue adapting while maintaining its central mission.
“Our ongoing efforts will focus on enhancing student engagement and maintaining content relevancy with contemporary developments such as artificial intelligence and global risk,” Chavez said. “Nevertheless, our principal objective remains unchanged: fostering substantive connections between students and the industry.”
