Navigating the Storm: Insights from the BGSA Conference
For nearly two decades, the BGSA Conference, hosted by Cambridge Capital, has been a key event in the logistics and supply chain industry.
350 top CEOs and executives gathered to dissect the challenges and opportunities facing the supply chain.
Insights from BGSA Conference
Expert Insights: More than 30 CEOs and leaders appearing on panels shared their perspectives on key industry trends, including technology advancements, global growth, and the evolving state of logistics and trucking.
Innovation Showcase: The renowned BGSA Shark Tank competition featured six aspiring entrepreneurs pitching their innovative solutions to a panel of esteemed CEOs.
Unparalleled Networking: The event provided ample opportunities for attendees to connect with colleagues and build valuable relationships within the supply chain industry.
A Year of Reckoning:
The past two years witnessed a freight recession unlike any other:
Freight rates plummeted by 50%.
Record-breaking bankruptcies plagued the industry.
Volumes contracted by 20%.
Global disruptions, like the Red Sea crisis, added 35% to lead times and cost the industry over $40 billion.
Labor costs surged, fueled by ILA strike threats, leading to a 12% inventory increase.
Tariff expansions, including a 10% duty on US-China imports, continue to pose significant threats.
Glimmers of Hope:
BGSA analysts predict a resurgence in US manufacturing, driven by increased infrastructure spending. This will create a wave of growth for domestic transportation, logistics, and distribution companies.
The US freight recession appears to be over. The freight cycle peaked in January 2022 and hit bottom in April 2024, according to Pickett Line Research. DAT Trendlines shows a 23.3% increase in spot load posts and a 32% decrease in spot truck posts December 2023 vs 2024. In 2025 Pickett forecasts a 30-50% increase.
The Road Ahead:
2025 marks the beginning of a significant recovery for the American freight industry
Companies that prioritize domestic supply chains and leverage technology will gain a competitive edge.
The Shark Tank Showdown!
The competition is always one of the highlights of the BGSA Supply Chain Conference. The “Shark Tank” event featured pitches from high-growth, technology-enabled supply chain companies poised for transformative growth.
The highly esteemed panel of “Sharks” included industry veterans Herb Shear (Chairperson, Shear Family Office; Founder and former CEO of GENCO), Edward Ryan (CEO, Descartes), and Ryan Petersen (Founder & CEO, Flexport), with Benjamin Gordon serving as the moderator.
The finalists for the Shark Tank Compeition provided outstanding presentations, which contributed to the competition’s success. They were:
Tom Curee – President, Qued
Ben Emmrich – Founder & CEO, Tusk Logistics
Rahul Natesh – CEO, JLE Truckwash
Pablo Palafox – CEO, HappyRobot
Ashutosh Prasad – Founder & CEO, KoiReader Technologies, Inc.
Kyle J. Soukup – Founder & CEO, Trucker Recruiters
This year’s winner was HappyRobot.AI, led by CEO Pablo Palafox, who captured both the prestigious Judge’s Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award.
Key Takeaways:
The BGSA Conference provides an invaluable platform for unbiased information exchange. Attendees gain access to data-driven insights and expert perspectives, empowering them to make informed decisions.
Looking Ahead:
As the global transportation and logistics markets rebound, the BGSA Conference and many other industry events will play a crucial role in connecting industry leaders and fostering innovation.
About the Author:
Sandy Cahill, CEO of Cahill Consulting, provides marketing and strategic guidance to logistics, supply chain, and freight tech companies.