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AI News and Gurus: The Show for Intelligent Distributors

Available on-demand

Skills, not technology, are the real barrier to AI adoption.

In this session, we cut through the AI hype to address what's actually holding distributors back: the knowledge and capabilities needed to evaluate, implement, and scale AI initiatives successfully.

From building organization-wide AI literacy to developing the vendor evaluation and project management skills that turn pilots into production, this session focuses on closing the capability gap that separates AI leaders from the 66% still stuck in experimentation mode.

What you will learn

    • How to build AI literacy across your organization so every team understands what AI can and can't do – and how to work alongside it effectively.
    • Practical frameworks for evaluating AI vendors, cutting through marketing claims, and selecting solutions that fit your environment.
    • Project management approaches built for AI's unique risks, timelines, and success metrics.
    • How to move from scattered experimentation to focused implementation that delivers measurable results.
    • Common skill gaps that stall AI adoption – and how leading distributors are closing them without hiring an army of data scientists.

Who should attend

    • Distribution executives building AI-ready organizations and setting implementation priorities.
    • Technology, IT, and operations leaders responsible for evaluating vendors and managing AI projects.
    • Sales, marketing, and supply chain leaders who need to understand AI's capabilities and limitations.
    • HR and learning leaders developing AI training and upskilling programs for their teams.

This session will provide practical guidance and real-world perspectives you can apply immediately to accelerate AI adoption in your organization.

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Technology Guest
Paul-do-Forno---Headshot-Rd
Paul do Forno
Global Commerce Practice Lead, Deloitte Digital
Industry Guest
John-Murcott
John Murcott
EVP Product & Strategy, HawkSearch by Bridgeline

About our sponsor:

Hawksearch By Bridgeline-1

About our technology guest:

Paul-do-Forno---Headshot-Rd

Paul do Forno

Global Commerce Practice Lead, Deloitte Digital

Paul a Commerce Practice leader with Deloitte Digital and drives large digital transformations for omni-channel clients. He has over 30 years of experience in strategy, digital experience, consulting, technology, and digital, and has delivered some of the world's largest digital platform programs with some of the biggest brands. Paul is also a recognized thought leader in digital and e-commerce, and a frequent speaker at e-commerce events such as NRF, Shop.org, and eTail.

About our industry guest:

John-Murcott

John Murcott

EVP Product & Strategy, HawkSearch by Bridgeline

John Murcott is an entrepreneurial leader with nearly 20 years of experience in sales engineering, product management, and professional services, specializing in automation, integration, and enterprise SaaS. As EVP of Products and Strategy at Bridgeline, he drives strategic growth by helping customers increase revenue through intelligent search, personalization, and SEO optimization, while supporting sales with clear product vision and results-driven execution.

About our hosts:

Brian-Hopkins-Updated

Brian Hopkins

Chief Operations Officer, Distribution Strategy Group

Brian Hopkins is recognized for his expertise in customer service and operational efficiency within the industrial distribution sector. His career trajectory showcases a series of impactful leadership roles, marked by innovation and strategic growth.

Brooks-Hamilton-2025

Brooks Hamilton

Founder and CEO, AI Strategy Advisors

Brooks Hamilton is the founder and CEO of AI Strategy Advisors, which helps large enterprises build and implement AI strategies. With a deep understanding of both AI technology and business operations, his company is positioned to help organizations navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Previously, Brooks held executive positions at Zilliant, where he worked with dozens of leading distributors to design and deploy AI sales, pricing, and revenue management applications.